Did you know that cost is one of the main reasons many people skip going to the dentist? That’s right, more than half of our population believes that maintaining a healthy smile is out of their reach. Complete dental care includes preventative measures consisting of X-rays, examinations, and cleanings. Not to mention additional treatments like root canals and dental fillings. With the lack of insurance, support, and awareness, there’s no wonder why affordable dental care is something most of us are longing for. If you happen to be looking for ways to cover your expensive dental check up, you’ve come to the right place. Perhaps this article can help you reduce your dental cost and enjoy clever ways for budget-friendly and low cost dental care.
Free or Low Cost Dental Care
Perhaps one of the most significant challenges most of us are facing right now is covering unexpected dental care costs. Especially for those without any insurance plans, paying straight from their pockets can be a real burden. Dental services, particularly those that come from private clinics, can cost a hefty amount of money.
Over the years, dental societies and groups continue to raise awareness towards affordable dental care. Several movements focus on providing dental benefits for all. However, a lot of progress might still be in its works. On the brighter end of the spectrum, many dentistry associations offer various low cost choices for individuals looking for affordable dental care. Some even provide dental services for free.
Where To Find Low Cost Dental Care?
Cost reduction for any dental services plays a crucial part in the treatment and recovery process. If you are looking for ways to make your dental cost more affordable, there are many options that you can choose from.
To name a few, here are the top five ways that could best cover your dental expenses.
1. Dental Schools
In every state, there are at least two dentistry or dental hygiene programs available. They’re packed with students who require practical experience before they are allowed to graduate. Most of these institutions provide clinics where students can practice low cost dental care to the general public.
Compared to what private and professional dentists charge for treatment, surgery, and other services, you are certainly lowering your dental costs for half or even less. One downside, however, is each visit can take much longer than regular dental clinics would do. A little patience is all it takes because dental students must work under the supervision of a licensed dentist. Doing so will ensure that each step the student takes is correct. Nonetheless, you can expect your treatment to be carried out accordingly, which is actually beneficial on your end.
2. Public Dental Clinics
These are dental clinics sponsored by the taxpayers’ fund. Typically, the government runs these institutions and is often staffed by dentists and volunteers from local health departments.
Depending on your financial capacity, public dental clinics offer low and fixed prices for their dental services. They provide all-around treatments from consultations, exams, diagnosis, and even surgical procedures. Some countries provide extended hours of services and have on-call emergency dentists.
3. Non-Profit Dental Clinics
Dental associations encourage professionals to perform charity work to raise public awareness on achieving affordable dental benefits. Non-profit organizations are visited by local volunteers to offer dental services for low income people, no insurance, or those who cannot afford dental care.
Many of these institutions are staffed by dental hygienists and dentists who do not charge for a full range of free dental services. However, these clinics may depend on the availability of volunteers and do not operate on a regular schedule. Often, they implement a first-come, first-served treatment, which means that lines can get longer throughout the day.
4. Donated Dental Services
Like non-profit dental clinics, some organizations or national charities provide labor and materials necessary for free dental care. These are dental fair programs that are exclusively for low-income families. Since the program only takes two-to-three days, the workforce is limited, allowing a certain number of people at a time.
5. Private Clinics
Some dentists may offer free dental services each year as a part of their promotion. They may give back to the community by accepting treatments at a discounted price. They may also receive referrals from fellow dentists for low-cost dental care. Most of the time, these kinds of services are only available for loyal patients. Therefore, if you’ve been visiting a dentist for a long time and need assistance, tell them about your financial position and see if they can help.
Why Should I Consider a Dental Savings Plan?
Many people often confuse dental savings plans with dental insurance, but these two are very different. In a dental savings plan, it is easy to receive a ten to sixty percent discount from dental clinics that are a part of your plan’s network. What’s good is these promotions can cover all dental services, unlike that of dental insurances. It might be a viable choice for folks who don’t have insurance or want to have dental services that aren’t covered by their policy.
Bottomline
If you want a significant cost reduction for your dental care, there are many ways that you could do so. You can choose from either dental services donated by charities, student dentistry programs, or even low cost dental care institutions. However, there can be waitlists which might take some time before you get your appointment. Some have daily limits or are solely centered towards a specific age group, people with disabilities, or those with medical issues. Nonetheless, all you will need is the right combination of patience and perseverance, so you can get a significant cost reduction on your dental care needs.
Learn more about low cost dental care from our reading resources:
https://www.ada.org/en/about-the-ada/national-state-local-dental-societies
