If you cannot visit a dentist in Buford as frequently as might be necessary, you are not alone. Dental care is expensive. In fact, according to Money Crashers, the cost of dental care has risen by nearly twice the average cost of inflation. Dental insurance is not much help, either. According to U.S. News, the average family pays over $100 in premiums a month, yet most policies cap out at $1,000 a year in benefits. With those figures, it is obvious that dental insurance does not cover much. So, what can consumers do to reduce the cost of dental care?
Though private health insurance may not always help, there are programs available that can help to reduce the cost of oral health care. Below are five ways consumers can keep the cost of dental care to a minimum.
Discount cards are so readily available that people often mistake them for scams. The truth is that these cards can cut the cost of select services by as much as 50%. These cards typically charge a low monthly or annual fee and in exchange allow holders to access quality dental care at reduced rates. For instance, Carefree Dental, one of the more popular cards, requires cardholders to pay $15.95 per month. In exchange, it offers savings of up to 50% on the cost of X-rays, cleanings and other services.
Individuals who hover at or are below the poverty line may qualify for dental coverage through Medicaid. Medicaid programs nationwide provide dental coverage for children, but most do not offer coverage for adults. However, some programs, such as the Medi-Cal program in California, offer eligible adults one comprehensive exam per year. It also covers the cost of procedures associated with extreme oral health issues, such as rotted teeth or tooth loss.
Before patients sign up for government programs or discount cards, they should discuss membership plans with a dentist. Many dentists offer discounted prices to patients who agree to pay a small monthly fee. For instance, a dentist in Buford may ask members to pay $25 a month. In exchange, members receive two cleanings per year and a discount on additional services.
Several nonprofits across the nation provide affordable dental and orthodontic care to families that otherwise would not be able to afford it. For instance, the American Association of Orthodontists provides braces for children for as little as $200. To qualify, families must show that monthly earnings put them more than 200% over the federal poverty level which, in 2018, was $50,200 for a family of four.
Individuals may be able to find a clinic associated with a dental school. These clinics give dental students hands-on experience while providing patients with care at reduced rates. Many schools offer X-rays and screenings for free, while cleanings are typically no more than $25.
Paying for dental care out of pocket is not cheap. However, there are ways to reduce the cost of dental care, which individuals should discuss with their dentist in Buford.
Request an appointment here: https://buforddentist.com or call North Atlanta Center for Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry at (770) 239-2517 for an appointment in our Buford office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
Getting a filling from a general dentistry provider can be a nerve-racking experience for some patients. It is helpful to have a complete understanding of what a general dentistry filling is and how the process works in order to calm any anxieties about the procedure. When in doubt, be sure to always ask your general…
It is recommended to take your child to a dentist from a young age. However, you might be wondering if you can take them to a general dentist. The answer is that yes, you can. You will want to check your dentist’s policies, though. Some dentists will not see a child younger than a specified…
When it comes to getting a bright smile, many people go to a family dentist for teeth-whitening treatments. However, there are a few ways that you can whiten your teeth from the comfort of your own home. These methods include whitening toothpaste and whitening trays from your family dentist. To learn more, it is important…
Bad breath is something that everyone experiences from time to time, but thankfully, there are a few ways to reduce and beat it. Some people’s bad breath is directly related to genetics, but other times, it is a result of poor oral hygiene. Whatever the cause is, it may be helpful to consider some of…
Getting a filling from a general dentistry provider can be a nerve-racking experience for some patients. It is helpful to have a complete understanding of what a general dentistry filling is and how the process works in order to calm any anxieties about the procedure. When in doubt, be sure to always ask your general…
It is recommended to take your child to a dentist from a young age. However, you might be wondering if you can take them to a general dentist. The answer is that yes, you can. You will want to check your dentist’s policies, though. Some dentists will not see a child younger than a specified…