Most people dread dentist visits because the sharp whirring instruments and mouth injections are nothing to look forward to. However, part of the reason why people hate dental visits is that they’re just too darn expensive. With only 52% of American adults having dental insurance, the rest have to dig deep into their pockets for every visit to the dentist.
However, visiting the dentist’s office doesn’t always have to put a dent in your bank account. There are plenty of ways you can pay for dental services without draining your finances. If you’re having trouble paying for dental services, we’re here to help.
In today’s post, we’ll be highlighting a few ways to pay for dental work without proper dental insurance.
Pay With Your Health Savings Account
A Health Savings Account, or HSA, is an excellent way to cover expenses for your dental appointment. The HSA deducts a portion of your pre-tax monthly income that you can use for health expenses, including dental services.
The best part about an HSA is that the money you save isn’t subject to any taxation. Essentially, an HSA allows you to have high-deductible health plans that are exempt from tax. Plus, you don’t have to pay any taxes when you take out money from your HSA.
If dental insurance isn’t your cup of tea, maybe you should consider opening an HSA. You won’t have to pay any taxes on the money in your account. Plus, you earn tax-free interest on the money you save in your HSA.
Join a Membership Plan
Most dentists have membership plans that patients can join at their volition. These plans help cater to patients without dental benefits by offsetting their dental bills. Patients will pay a monthly fee regularly as a sort of membership fee.
For being a member of a dental plan, you’ll receive free preventive care and huge discounts on other regular procedures. This significantly decreases the amount you have to pay during your next visit to the dentist.
It’s worth noting that different dental clinics have different membership plans. The terms that apply to one dentist, may not apply to another. Check with your dentist to confirm the terms of their membership plan, including the payment, benefits, and much more.
Try talking to brentwooddentalspa.com and see whether they have any membership plans that may work for you. Also, speak to the dentists and see whether you can work out a payment plan for your procedure.
Negotiate With the Dentist
The occasional ouchies the dentist gives you during your dental appointments are in no way a reflection of their demeanor. Dentists are human beings just like you and can be empathetic when necessary. If you’re in a tough financial situation, try explaining it to the dentist.
The dentist may offer a less expensive treatment alternative to the current one. You may also come up with a payment plan that works for both of you. If you’ve been a long-time patient, the dentist might even let you off without paying a thing.
Don’t rule out negotiating with the dentist until you give it a try. Negotiations especially work with patients that have established a strong relationship with the dentist. Try negotiating with the dentists; you have nothing to lose.
Take Out a Dental Loan
If you’re in a financial rut, you can always borrow a third-party loan to cover dental expenses. Third-party financiers are one of the most convenient financing options for dental expenses. These unsecured loans can get you the money for your dental procedure with no questions asked
However, you’ll need a good credit score to secure a decency loan from most lenders. Also, be wary of predatory lenders with astronomical interest rates and unfair repayment terms. Do a quick online search to find the perfect lender for a dental loan.
Use a Healthcare Credit Card
A healthcare credit card, as the name implies, is a type of credit card that only caters to medical expenses. These credit cards work like typical credit cards, but you can only use them when visiting hospitals or dental clinics.
There are plenty of healthcare credit card companies that you can opt for. When picking one, be sure to check its terms, interest rates, and whether they have financing. You can use a healthcare credit card to offset your dental costs and pay the credit card company later.
Find Low-Cost Dental Providers
Do your homework and look for dental providers who charge lower rates for their services. A simple internet search will expose you to dozens of such clinics for your consideration.
Most low-cost dental providers are backed by non-profit organizations or the government. Most will provide the dental services you need at a fraction of the cost. However, they may not offer cosmetic dental services and procedures.
It’s worth noting that low-cost dental services are in pretty high demand. This means you’ll have to wait a few weeks or months for your dental appointment. If you’re cash-strapped, you’ll have no other option but to wait.
Visit a Dental School Clinic
If you don’t need too much dental work done on your teeth, consider visiting a dental school clinic. Most colleges that offer dentistry run their own clinics. They allow dentistry students to treat patients under the close supervision of a professional dentist.
Visiting a dental school clinic will shave off about 20% to 70% of what you’d pay in an actual dental clinic. Check out the American Dental Association website to find dental school clinics in your area.
Paying for Dental Services Made Easy
Struggling to pay for dental services should be a thing of the past with the above tips. Don’t let your financial situation prevent you from having strong, healthy teeth. Talk to your dentist today and decide what payment method is best for you.
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