Whether it’s a root canal, crown or cleaning, the cost of dental work can take a bite out of your wallet.
“Healthy preventative cleaning runs around a $100,” dentist Dr. Nicole Mitchell said. “A root canal and crown would be close to $2,500.”
Tricia Sifford and her family went without dental care for five years after she changed jobs and lost her dental insurance.
“We couldn’t afford it. We tried to get just private coverage through an insurance company and for five people it was just too much,” Sifford said.
Then she learned Dr. Mitchell participates in a discount dental plan to help patients get the care they need.
“The years they haven’t sought care, a lot of irreversible damage can occur to both the gums and the teeth,” Mitchell said.
Discount dental plans are not insurance. They work like a membership at a wholesale store like Costco or Sam’s Club. You pay a yearly fee and in exchange get discounts off the regular cost of procedures by participating dentists.
Depending on the plan, joining a discount dental plan costs anywhere from $80 to $300 a year. Discounts range from 10 to 60 percent. Discount dental plans generally don’t have any exclusions and also cover some services like orthodontics and veneers, which regular dental insurance sometimes does not.
“I love it. It’s easy. There are no forms to fill out,” Sifford said. “You just come in, get the work done and they show you what you would have paid and what you’re actually going to pay.”
Other ways to save: Try local dental schools. You can often get dental hygiene services for a fraction of the cost.
And you can use online tools like FAIR Health’s Cost Look-up website to compare prices in your area.
At the end of the day, preventive care is your best way to save. Remember: Floss every day, brush twice a day and don’t skip those cleanings at the dentist twice a year.
Links for discount dental plans: