Finding affordable dental care can be intimidating, especially if you’ve never explored the options that are out there to help defray costs. A typical dentist’s visit can run anywhere from a few hundred to thousands of dollars depending on the issues that need to be addressed. In the following article, we explore the ways you can keep this from happening.
1. Look Into Financing Your Dental Work
Most dentists are happy to work with their patients to lower the bill. They do this through a number of options depending on need or preference.
Some clinics will allow the patient to pay as they go rather than paying everything in one lump sum. Others might offer free extraction, fillings, and cleanings to people who meet their state’s poverty guidelines.
Remember that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! Every little bit of help you can get towards basic services will save you hundreds or even thousands in lieu of a medical procedure.
2. See What the ACA Has to Offer
Another great starting point for how to find affordable dental care is the Affordable Care Act. The cardinal legislation of the Obama administration does more than simply cover pre-existing conditions. It also leaves opportunities for dental coverage.
You can peruse the dental plans under ACA by visiting healthcare.gov and entering in your personal information. This will take you to the list of available coverages that are offered in-state.
Dental premiums are generally very low. Additionally, you will pay out-of-pocket for a part of the coverage, but this beats paying 100 percent for all services.
3. Access Insurance Plans
Still find yourself asking how can I find cheaper dental care? Go beyond the scope of the ACA and look at the available plans through your employer. This will admittedly be hit-or-miss but, if available, it’s usually the price of a couple of cups of coffee.
4. Seek Discounts Through Special Programs
When searching “affordable dental care near me,” make sure you look into specialty programs that are available through nonprofit organizations and special government programs that go beyond the ACA.
This will vary from state-to-state. However, all usually have something in place to benefit children or economically distressed individuals. You can check out a list of options by visiting the health department website in your state.
5. Negotiate or Barter
A quick look over any dental pricing guide could have you swallowing hard trying to find ways to pay for your care. This especially is true if you’re getting braces, root canals, or any other specialty procedures.
Fortunately, the rules of negotiation and bartering that apply in business dealings can come in handy here. Many dentists are so relieved to work with patients willing to pay out-of-pocket for their care that they are willing to come down on expenses associated with labor and materials.
Working for yourself or working on something “on the side” can also come in handy. For example, working in areas like web design, copywriting, social media, or photography could be of use to a dentist’s marketing efforts. See if you can exchange your trade or skill for a discount through the bartering process.
Affordable Dental Care Is Out There
Affordable dental care is out there. That’s true whether searching for an affordable discount program, dental school, or health insurance deals in your area.
On top of that, you can always ask your dentist. That’s what many patients at Bloomfield Dental Designs have found. If you’re ready to learn more about the ways we can help, contact us today and set up an appointment.