I took my son to the dentist for the first time a few weeks ago. I hadn’t previously because we didn’t have dental insurance. Now we do. Cleanings and x-rays are covered. Unfortunately, the pediatric dentist is telling us he needs six cavities filled. The price to have that done was unbelievable! I asked if we could have the work done and pay it off incrementally and they said that all work had to be paid for up front. I don’t have that kind of money. What do you recommend?
Olivia
Dear Olivia,
I’m sorry to hear your pediatric dentist isn’t willing to work with you. That makes it tough. It’s expensive enough raising children. One thing I would do first, is get the x-rays and bring them to a pediatric dentist who offers free second opinions. Maybe some of
those cavities can just be watched and if your son notches up his oral health care a bit the teeth will remineralize. That could save you money by just having the urgent ones dealt with.
This is called staged treatment and something most dentists should offer. As yours doesn’t, you can do a search using the term affordable dentist. They’re usually more willing to work with patients on things like this. However, don’t confuse affordable dental care with cheap dental care. You want someone who is willing to work with you on treatments and payments who still provides quality care— not someone who cuts corners to draw in patients with their low prices.
Another option is to go through Care Credit. This is a medical loan service. They’ll pay for your medical or dental care and then you make payments to them. Depending on your credit, you can get low or even no interest payment plans.
Start there. If you’re still having trouble after that, write me back and we’ll see if there isn’t some other way to get your son the care he needs. What you don’t want to do is let it turn into a tooth infection. So, get the most urgent cavities dealt with first.
This blog is brought to you by Auburn, AL Dentist Dr. Raymond Bolt.
