How to Pay for Dental Treatment
See if You’re Eligible for Medicaid
Medicaid is a joint state and federal program designed to help low-income individuals pay for medical care. Most states have adopted expanded Medicaid, which means that individuals earning up to $17,774 in 2021 are eligible for the program. But not every state’s Medicaid program includes the same level dental coverage. Some states only cover emergency dental treatment, while others cover a flat amount for most dental services. Only four states do not provide any dental coverage for adults.Get Low-Cost Dental Assistance
If you’re living on a low income, there may be low-fee local dental clinics in your area that can provide more affordable care. There are also nonprofit organizations that may be able to help cover your treatment costs. Here’s how to find affordable dental treatment:- Search for local dental care through United Way
- Contact your local or state health department to find out about financial assistance programs
- Ask about the cost of care at local dental schools
- Ask your dental provider or a friend or family member to nominate you for Charitable Smiles, a nonprofit organization that connects patients who can’t afford care with volunteer dentists
- If you have a disability or are elderly or medically fragile, you may be able to get help from Dental Lifeline
Sign Up for a Dental Office Payment Plan
Many dental providers offer in-house financing, so you can pay for your treatment over time, often without racking up interest. This can be helpful if you don’t have the cash on hand all at once. You can trim your budget and get some extra income to help cover the monthly cost of the payment plan. Even if your dentist doesn’t advertise financing, you may be able to negotiate paying the cost in installments if you explain your situation.Use a 0% APR Credit Card
If you have good or excellent credit, you may be eligible for a zero percent introductory APR credit card. If you get approved for one of these cards, you’ll typically get a break from paying any interest for 12 to 18 months. This will allow you to charge the entire cost of care (assuming it’s within your credit limit) and pay the balance over time. Before you formally apply, see if you can prequalify without hurting your credit. If you decide to use a zero percent APR credit card to pay for your dental treatment, you should come up with a plan to pay off the entire balance within the introductory period. Once the introductory period has ended, you’ll be charged interest on the entire remaining balance. The average APR on a credit card is about 15 percent.Use a Medical Credit Card
There are some credit cards that are designed to cover healthcare costs, including dental expenses. There are limits to how these cards can be used, so you won’t be able to swipe at the grocery store, but you may be able to make a large purchase and get a zero percent APR period to pay it back. You may find that a medical credit card is easier to qualify for than a traditional zero percent introductory APR credit card. However, be cautious when using these cards, since most charge deferred interest. Meaning if you can’t pay back the entire balance in the time allotted, you’ll be charged interest on the entire amount borrowed.Borrow from Friends and Family
It can be difficult to admit to your friends and family that you’re experiencing financial hardship, but if you do have a friend or family member that is on steady financial ground, asking them for money may be the safest borrowing option available. You won’t have to pay interest and will have some flexibility with repayment. However, you should write up an agreement and go over your plan for repayment. Failing to repay a friend or family member can harm your relationships. Another option is to launch a crowdfunding campaign and ask for small contributions from many different people in your life. Even if no one in your circle has the money to pay for your entire treatment cost, they can each pitch in a small amount to help you get the care you need.Take Out a Personal Loan
Personal loans can be used for almost any purpose, including emergency dental bills. Personal loans are often repaid in fixed monthly payments. Besides the interest rate, you should pay attention to fees the lender charges. Some lenders offer fee-free loans to creditworthy borrowers, but you can expect an origination fee to be taken out of the loan amount if you have fair credit. That means you’ll need to borrow more than the cost of your dental care to cover the origination fee. If possible, avoid choosing a lender that charges prepayment penalties. Paying your loan off early will help you save money on interest, so you’ll want to keep the option open.Can I Forgo Treatment?
In most cases, delaying or forgoing treatment will lead to a greater cost later on and can negatively impact your oral and overall health. Many dental conditions can also be painful and difficult to live with. If you leave a cavity untreated or delay having a root canal, you may lose your tooth or need your tooth pulled. If you don’t get a tooth pulled when it needs to be extracted, that can lead to infection and abscesses. And an untreated tooth infection can spread to other areas of the body and even cause sepsis, which can be deadly. What’s more, delaying most dental treatments will result in the need for more extensive oral surgery, which can be painful and costly. In most cases, you’ll be better off borrowing money to take care of the issue right away than waiting to save up enough cash to pay for it — both in terms of your health and your finances.Planning for Future Care
Build an Emergency Fund
Whether you need dental treatment again in the future or you face another emergency, such as a vehicle repair, home repair, or medical bill, you’ll need an emergency fund to fall back on. It’s especially important for low-income workers to save because they don’t have as much discretionary income to put towards unexpected expenses. To build an emergency fund, start by evaluating your budget. Find areas to trim your budget, such as curbing spending on dining and entertainment, and devote that income towards saving money every month. A good goal is to save 10 percent of your income in an emergency fund in addition to the money you contribute to your retirement account. You should also aim to have about six months of expenses on hand, but if that goal feels impossible, shoot for about $2,467. That’s the amount economists say will significantly decrease your risk of financial hardship.Consider Dental Insurance
Rates will vary depending on the plan you choose and where you live, but you can expect to pay between $15 and $50 per month for dental insurance. You’ll choose between a preferred provider organization (PPO) dental plan, which allows you to visit any provider, or a dental health maintenance organization (DHMO) dental plan, which limits you to in-network dentists. DHMOs don’t have maximum benefit amounts or deductibles. PPO plans often use a coinsurance structure that covers 100 percent of preventative care costs, 80 percent of minor procedures like fillings, and 50 percent of more extensive procedures such as crowns and dentures. Getting dental insurance will likely be cost-effective if you visit the dentist twice annually or undergo additional treatment during the year. If you have dental insurance, you won’t need as much stashed away in an emergency fund to cover unexpected costs.Take Good Care of Your Oral Health
Preventative at-home care can help you avoid needing costly dental procedures. In addition to regular dental visits, the following tips may help you improve your oral health:- Brush your teeth at least twice daily for two minutes, and never forgo nighttime brushing
- Floss once daily to decrease plaque and inflammation
- Use fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash to prevent cavities
- Drink plenty of water, especially with meals
- Avoid eating too much sugar or highly acidic foods
- Quit smoking to reduce your risk of gum disease