Dental procedures can be expensive — and the costs increase every year. In fact, dental procedure costs increased 23 percent (adjusted for inflation) from 1996 to 2015, according to a Federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality report. Combined with the general price inflation experienced in the post-COVID pandemic, family budgets are stretched thin and there is the temptation to delay important dental care. Such delays, though, risk harm to a person’s oral health as well as the prospect of even more expensive care in the future. Dental insurance can help protect you from significant dental costs. However, in the event you’re uninsured (or under-insured with coverage that leaves the person exposed to high out-of-pocket costs), you may need to consider how to pay for treatment immediately even if you lack the resources.
Before exploring financing options, you should take the following steps:
Assuming you have confirmed the need for the dental treatment and the lowest available cost is beyond your ability to pay in full, it is time to consider financing options.
Financing a dental procedure typically increases overall cost because it combines the original price of the treatment along with interest charges. The easiest way to finance a dental procedure is through the use of a credit card but credit card interest rates can be quite expensive. Consequently, we recommend the following steps:
There are other ways to pay for an expensive dental treatment. You can visit your bank or credit union and ask for the terms of a consumer loan. If you qualify for Medicaid, you should contact the program and see if your state covers dental care for adults. Another option is to contact a community clinic to see if they can refer you to a low-cost dental provider.
Our knowledgeable customer service team will assist you with any questions you may have prior to enrolling in a dental plan. They can guide you through the process of choosing coverage that matches your needs as well as your budget.
