Maintaining proper dental care is vital for our health, yet many struggle to afford it. Fortunately, plenty of affordable options will give you the dental care you need without breaking your budget.
For instance, dental savings plans can offer up to 60% savings on services like cleanings, x-rays, fillings and more. Check with your affordable dentist and other local providers to see if they offer such programs.
1. Preventative Treatments
Preventative treatments are integral to medical care, helping patients avoid disease and health conditions. These may include vaccinations, dental check-ups, diet and exercise advice – the list goes on!
Preventative treatment consists of three distinct categories: primary prevention (protecting people from illness), secondary prevention (screening and detection), and tertiary prevention (restoring patients to their usual health). Doctors can utilise these methods at any stage in a patient’s life – whether they’re just beginning their relationship with a doctor or have a chronic disease that needs ongoing management.
Primary prevention is an approach to keeping a person healthy, which can reduce the risk of illnesses like heart disease, cancer and diabetes. It may also shield against more severe problems like gum disease and periodontitis by keeping teeth strong and healthy.
about them. Moreover, look for dentists offering payment plans or discounts on procedures and regular check-ups.
2. Dental Packages
Dental packages can be an excellent way to save on dental care but read the fine print carefully before signing up. Some offer discounts on procedures, while others include free preventative visits. Many dentists also have flexible payment options and will help you create a budget-friendly treatment plan.
Look into Medicaid and its related Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for more extensive dental care. These programs typically provide coverage in full for adults up to age 19 and part coverage for children under 18. Depending on the state, these can cover primary dental treatments like root canals and implants.
Another option is to search for a dental school near you that offers clinics where faculty and supervised students provide low-cost or free services. The American Dental Association provides an easy tool for users to search accredited dental schools by city and state.
Dental insurance plans can be an excellent solution for those with access to it through their employer or Medicare. But, unfortunately, deductibles, coinsurance and annual maximum limits can add up quickly if you get lots of work done.
3. Flexible Payment Options
Many affordable dentist offices offer patients flexible payment options if they can’t afford to make total upfront payments. It may include extending pay periods, offering discounts on complete up-front purchases or decreasing down payments.
The Buy Now, Pay Later option is the most popular flexible payment plan. Unlike traditional financing solutions, this program enables patients to make one simple monthly payment for the entire treatment cost instead of having to cover it out of pocket.
This option is ideal for patients with high out-of-pocket expenses who want to reduce their monthly budget or need an urgent procedure, like implants. The purchase price is spread over a more extended period with low interest, and applying for and using a credit card is straightforward.
Additionally, it provides a convenient way to manage your account and make payments online. The company’s payment plans are tailored specifically for each patient’s financial situation and can be customised according to individual needs.
4. Non-profit Organisations
Several non-profit organisations provide low-cost or free dental services to those in need. Most programs are funded through donations from individual donors, while some receive grant support.
The Oral Aesthetic Advocacy Group provides partial grants to people needing cosmetic dentistry. They partner with dentists who will provide chair time at no cost for those on a tight budget. Furthermore, the organisation runs a dental charity program to aid those affected by domestic violence or sexual abuse who have sustained dental injuries due to those interactions.
Affordable dentists may collaborate with organisations like United Way to offer financial assistance for those unable to cover treatment costs. Mobile dental clinics are one such example.
Many non-profit community centres and clinics nationwide provide low-cost dental care to those in need. These facilities offer exams, cleanings, extractions, and specialty services like oral cancer screenings.