While routine visits to the dentist are recommended to patients to keep their smile healthy and functional, many patients who do not have dental insurance may find themselves avoiding the dental office due to the perceived cost of services. Fortunately, many dentists, including Drs. Gregory Bennett and Andrew Timmerman of Arvada Dental Center in Arvada, CO, can help patients understand the importance of these regular visits and address the dental treatment cost without insurance coverage.
How dental insurance works
Dental insurance companies typically set premiums for their policies at a certain level based on the average cost of services. Dentists charge lower fees to patients who have medical insurance, as the insurance company pays the dentist a percentage of their negotiated price for covered procedures. Patients can still receive care without dental insurance, but they are responsible for all costs and out-of-pocket expenses. These include routine oral hygiene visits and cosmetic, elective treatment options like teeth whitening or composite resin bonding. However, not everyone has dental insurance, so it is wise to speak to the front office team about arranging the cost of visits without dental insurance.
What does dental insurance cover?
Each plan is different, but most insurance plans will cover the cost of routine dental visits for cleanings and evaluations for free. Then, each service needed is determined on an “as needed” basis to determine how much coverage can be applied before the out-of-pocket costs remain.
Making dental health a priority
While regular visits to the dentist for cleanings and evaluations will cost money, it is a small price to pay for a beautiful, healthy smile. Visiting the dentist every six months is strongly encouraged by the American Dental Association. Therefore, it is wise to schedule these visits to monitor one’s oral health and look for the early signs of problems such as infection or tooth decay. If patients do not visit regularly, they may be putting themselves at risk of various dental issues that may cost thousands of dollars to repair or address at a later time. By being more proactive about oral health, patients can reduce their overall oral hygiene costs even without insurance compared to patients who are more “reactive” with their dental health.
Affording treatments when they are needed
Some situations may arise that patients might not expect. This includes injury to the mouth, severe tooth decay, late-stage periodontal disease, and infections resulting in problematic toothaches. At times like this, patients have no choice but to seek treatment. When these incidents arise, our front office team can help patients without dental insurance work out payment plans and financing for their dental visits. We understand that unexpected dental work can be financially problematic for many of our patients, which is why we offer ways to break up payments to afford treatment. In addition, our front office team can provide the information patients need to learn more about ways of affording their services when necessary.
How do I learn more about dental treatments without insurance?
We understand that many patients are in different financial situations that may require more customized payment plans to afford treatment. This is why our team is well-versed in dental insurance coverage and financing options for individuals. If you require dental work and don’t have insurance coverage, don’t let this stop you from getting the help you truly need. Our team is located in Arvada, CO at 5220 Wadsworth Bypass, Unit C, and can be reached by phone to book an appointment at (303) 720-7465. Drs. Gregory Bennett and Andrew Timmerman are available to assist new and current patients with their oral healthcare needs with affordable, quality treatments.
