I haven’t had dental insurance until just recently, within the last seven to eight months. Because of this, I haven’t kept up on my dental checkups and have many dental issues which need work.

Once I received my dental insurance benefits, I met with a dentist to discuss my treatment options and learned they would cost me over $12,000. Even with insurance, that cost was not an option, so I headed for the door and began my search for a dentist I could afford.

However, what I’m finding is dentists with low costs aren’t accompanied by good reviews. I’ve taken advantage of some of the

The problem I’m running into is that the ones I find who advertise low-cost dentistry also don’t have great reviews. I’m also finding that those dentist whom I do meet with feel hurried, rushed, like they are moving from one patient to the next, and treating multiple patients at the same time. This won’t work for me. I have a great deal of dental work to be done, therefore I want someone who will focus on me, establish a genuine relationship with me, and make me feel comfortable.

Is it possible to find an affordable dentist who does quality work?

Thank you,
Abby

Dear Abby,

Great questions. It is possible to find good dental work, within your budget parameters, but not without changing your thinking some.

From the surface level, it may seem to the patient that services which dentists offer, as well as the techniques they use for these services, may be similar from dentist to dentist. However, dentists are all different and have various approaches to treatment and customer care. If you focus your search on dentists who are inexpensive, there are only so many ways for them to cut cost and you may be sacrificing service.

Ways Dentists Can Cut Costs

1. A dentist can limit his or her time with their patients. This may cause an assembly line type of service, and less one one one attention.
2. A dentist can use less expensive materials.
3. A dentist can reduce operating costs by staffing fewer people on his or her team, recruiting those with less experience, or offering fewer amenities in their office.

Therefore, each of these cost-cutting measures would impact your experience as a patient, so you should avoid offices which use these tactics and instead, focus your search on finding quality care that fits within your budget.

Ways to Make Dentistry More Affordable

1. Some dental offices will segment your treatment plan into smaller pieces, allowing you to take on the expenses individually, per each treatment, as your budget allows.
2. Look into offices which offer financing options. A few offices offer in-house programs, while many use programs such as CareCredit, which offers interest-free financing for a limited amount of time.
3. Utilize insurance benefits. If you don’t currently have insurance, get it. Also, look into a secondary insurance. Be aware of waiting periods though, as some companies will make you wait close to a year before using services.
4. Be sure you are taking full advantage of insurance. Ask the dental office about ways to get the insurance company to cover more, and be sure you are utilizing all what the insurance company will pay.

If you focus your search on finding a great dental office with whom you mesh and can establish a solid relationship, but the treatment cost is outside your budget, be sure to let them know. A good dentist will find ways to help make the cost manageable for you.

Good luck!

This blog post is brought to you by the office of Baton Rouge affordable dentist, Dr. Ryan Perry.

If you find an office you jive with, but the cost of treatment makes it feel like it’s out of reach for you, let them know. A great office will help you find ways to start getting your treatment done, even if it is just a little at a time.