If you happen to skip going to the dentist because of the cost, you certainly aren’t alone. In fact, it’s estimated that roughly 13% of adults forgo dental appointments simply because they cannot afford them. Additionally, cost is the main impediment to dental care even for adults who hold private insurance. Fortunately, there are simple ways to make your dental care more budget-friendly, and they don’t’ all involve insurance. Learn more about alternative dental financing options from a team that’s used to helping patients pay for care!
Enroll into a Financing Plan
Many dental offices provide financing options to make dental care more affordable, especially more expensive treatments. This could include in-house financing plans or third-party financiers like CareCredit. These allow you to pay for dental services over a longer period of time in monthly installments. Depending on the length of the plan, you can even expect little to no interest attached to these payments. This can make even the most costly dental treatments accessible.
Attend a Public Clinic
In the United States, there is a network of public dental clinics you can access from the Health Resources and Services Administration. While there are income restrictions, you may still be eligible to receive care through one of these facilities. The NeedyMeds dental clinic database can also be a useful resource – this network of clinics includes 4,000 locations. Some of them are funded by state or federal grants. Just be sure to call them in advance first since many of them may only provide emergency care.
Apply for a Dental Grant
A dental grant can fully or partially cover the cost of dental treatments. However, you’ll need to meet a certain set of qualifications before you can be eligible. For example, on top of there being a waiting period before you can use the grant, you’ll need to complete an application process and ensure you meet the requirements. If you live in the United States, you can enroll into the Give Back a Smile Program or the Cosmetic Dentistry Grants Program.
Visit a Charity for Help
When you’re out of options, it may be productive to consider visiting a charity organization for help. Groups like Smiles Change Lives and Dental Lifeline Network are specifically dedicated to helping people with financial assistance for specific services. For example, Smiles Change Lives focuses on providing braces at a lower cost to those 21 years of age and younger, while Dental Lifeline Network helps those in need of dentures, especially if they are elderly, disabled, or have a medical need.
There’s no reason to be afraid of asking a dental office directly on how to make your dental care as affordable as possible. They will be more than happy to help!
About the Author
Dr. Sanker’s knowledgeable team members are prepared to go over all your financing options should you need additional assistance making your essential dental treatments more affordable. While they are happy to submit insurance claims on your behalf, they can also recommend CareCredit financing for those without any coverage. To learn how you can make your dental care possible, you can contact them through their website.