How to save money on dental treatment
Many people refuse to seek out the dental care that they need due to the costs. This can often result in tooth problems getting more serious and more painful.
Paying for dental treatment shouldn’t have to feel like a kick in the teeth. After all, regular checkups can go a long way in maintaining your teeth’s health. Whilst certain procedures can be expensive, there are often ways to reduce costs. Here are just several ways to save money on dental treatment.
Get treatment early
Some people let a toothache build for weeks and weeks until it is unbearable before considering a trip to the dentists. However, this can often make the treatment a lot more expensive (and often a lot more uncomfortable). Many toothaches are caused by infections that can usually be cleared up with antibiotics if caught early. Leaving the problem to get worse could cause the infection to flare up, at which point it may need more invasive treatment. This could include root canal treatment or tooth removal. An infection may even spread to multiple teeth, requiring multiple tooth removals.
You’re best to always visit the dentist as soon as toothache occurs. Check-ups are also a worthy investment as they may be able to spot other problems early before they require expensive treatment. You may also be able to get a professional clean-up during these check-ups, which could prevent plaque that is already present from getting worse.
Consider insurance
For those with recurring dental problems, taking out dental insurance can sometimes be financially sensible. Whilst this does mean paying a small fee each month, it could prevent you having to pay for huge sums every time you visit the dentist for a procedure, making dental treatment more affordable without to take out a loan.
There are family dental insurance plans that can cover the whole family. Some health insurance providers may even include dental care with extras cover. You should always shop around in order to get the best deal.
Ask about payment plans
Some dental surgeries may be able to offer their own payment plans, which allow you to pay for treatment in instalments. These payments plans are often interest-free – this makes them cheaper than having to take out a loan to afford treatment.
A payment plan may not always be offered upfront and maybe something that you have to enquire about. It’s best to always discuss this before getting the treatment as some dental surgery staff may be less willing to negotiate the cost afterwards.
Try visiting a dental college
Dental colleges are always looking for volunteers for students to practice on. This could be a great way of saving money on treatment. Your local dental college may have advertisements that you can apply to or you could try enquiring directly. Such treatment tends to only include routine procedures – if you’re looking to save money on a more complex procedure, you may still be better off seeking treatment from dental surgery.
Know when you’re entitled to free dental care
Some people avoid going to the dentists even if they’re entitled to free dental care. In the UK, anyone under the age of 18 is eligible for free care. This is worth taking advantage of if you have kids.
Similarly, pregnant women can get free dental care. This also extends to any mother that has had a child in the last 12 months. So, if you’re expecting a baby or are a new mum, now could be the time to book a checkup and get any treatment done that you’ve been putting off.
If you’re on low-income benefits, you may also be eligible for free treatment. This also applies to anyone under 20 that is dependant on someone receiving low-income benefits.
Look after your teeth
By far the best thing you can do to save money on your treatment is to look after your teeth. Most treatment can be avoidable by taking the right dental care.