If you've been to the dentist lately, you know it can be expensive and these days dental care is one of the most common exclusions from health insurance plans and Medicare.
Sometimes the sticker price can make people avoid the dentist. Even with dental coverage, you can spend thousands for things like braces, crowns and implants. But there are some tips on how to save money at the dentist's office.
Did you know some dental offices offer their own plans and there are a few other ways to save money?
Jessica Moyer of Allentown never misses her twice a year dental check ups.
" I take care of my teeth, but it was like pulling teeth to get my husband to go every six months," Moyer said. "He didn't listen to me and we've seen the cost of dental care when one doesn't keep up with their six-month cleaning."
Dr. Michele Ferguson, of Gentle Dental in Allentown, says Moyer is a smart woman.
"Dental neglect is expensive," Ferguson said. "So the more neglectful people are in their oral care, the more expensive and complicated the problems are."
So tip number one is prevention.
" Dental floss is the best cheapest insurance you can buy and that's the truth," he adds.
What else can you do to save money?
Use a Health Savings Account to pay for services with pre-tax dollars.
Many universities offer dental care services for a fraction of what you would normally pay at a practice. The work is done by students under the guidance of a seasoned instructor, plus the tools and equipment are often very up-to-date. But, the services typically take more time and there might be a waiting list to get in, or, you might not be accepted.
You can contact the dental school clinics at Penn or Temple to learn more and schedule an appointment. Some hospitals in the Lehigh Valley also have low cost dental clinics.
"Sacred Heart, St.Luke's, LV Hospital Center all have hospital-based dental clinics, where there are residents who treat patients under the supervision of an attending dentist," Ferguson said.
Ask about financing plans, and some offices offer their own discount plans. Gentle Dental has a plan called Dentrite for people with no insurance.
"The patient pays $30 a year for an individual or $50 a year for a family and receives 20 percent off all fees.
For a low-cost membership fee, non-insurance discount dental plans can save you anywhere from 20 percent to 60 percent off the regular cost of dental procedures. It's similar to a wholesale store like Costco, but for discounts at the dentist.
"You get a list of in-network dentists and a discount on procedures when you visit those providers," said Allen Erenbaum, president of the Consumer Health Alliance, which serves as the national trade association for discount healthcare programs. "Plans also have no waiting periods and may include savings on cosmetic dentistry and orthodontia."
To learn more about discount dental plans - also referred to as dental savings plans - and search for options across Pennsylvania, visit :DentalPlans or Careington online.
Orthodontic procedures and braces are typically excluded from dental insurance, so your out-of-pocket costs can be thousands of dollars. To save money on braces, you can get an estimate, check what the normal price should be by plugging in your ZIP code and procedure at FAIR Health, then consider negotiating or finding a new provider if you need to.
And get to know your dentist, really well.
"Once we get patients on board with that prevention regime, they rarely have dental problems," Ferguson said.
Another reason to make sure you get good preventative dental care is that health experts say there's a clear link between gum disease and other health problems like heart disease, diabetes and respiratory disease.