The cost of healthcare can be an overwhelming and deterring factor for many trying to stay on top of their health and wellness.
I am a firm believer that nobody should be afraid to see their dentist because of the price tag.
Dental care, while only a small portion of overall healthcare, can impact various other things in the body and is very important to stay on top of.
Here 5 of my favorite ways to help patients save money on their dental care:
1. Preventive care
This may sound simple, and it is, but seeing your dentist once per year can help you to prevent costly long-term problems. Even if it’s been a while, I encourage you to go and get a cleaning or even just an exam in order to get a better understanding of your oral health.
A filling typically costs ~$200 but a root canal and crown can be ~$2,000 or more. I’ll say it again, prevent long-term, costly problems!
2. See a dentist you trust
If you haven’t seen the dentist in a while, it is normal to have some level of dental anxiety. Whether you have insurance or not, a good dentist should help to ease your worries, explain your needs and be transparent with you about your options.
Your dentist should also be able to help you prioritize your treatment based on what is most urgent to address. Many patients become overwhelmed upon finding out there are a number of things to fix at once. When someone feels like they cannot afford their care, it can cause them to put off treatment even longer, which just leads to more issues in the long term.
The best plan of action is to come up with a customized treatment plan and time frame that works best financially for all parties! My office (Houlik Family Dentistry) is happy to do free consultations if you have any concerns.
3. Great oral hygiene
Dental treatment is unique in that the majority of it is preventable. With good oral hygiene and preventive care, you can avoid a lot of costly procedures down the road.
Once a cavity forms, however, it will not go away on its own. There are things you can do to keep your cavities/dental issues from worsening, but the best way to avoid expensive treatments is to establish a high quality oral hygiene regimen. Check out our social media pages for tips and recommendations for best practices — feel free to ask me questions!
4. Promotions
A lot of dental offices run promotions for new patients. It doesn’t hurt to ask your dental office if they have any current offers – our office always has promotions running! Whether it’s a free new patient cleaning, a discount on your first visit, or a reward for referring a friend, it’s worth an inquiry – they’re there to benefit patients!
5. Patient Credits
Did you know that when you pay for your dental care, you could be overpaying your office? Sometimes, your insurance will cover more than expected and there could be a balanced owed back to you called a “credit”. There are likely billions of dollars across the US that is unclaimed because people just don’t know about it!
Our office uses a system called Patient Credits that lets you know if there is a balance owed back to you and gives you the option of getting that money back directly or putting it toward your next treatment. I encourage you to ask your dental office if they have a system in place for your credits!
Don’t let the fear of finances stop you from taking care of your dental health. If you want more tips and tricks for saving at the dentist, feel free to message me! I hope this helps you.
Thanks for your support!
Dr. Houlik
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