INDUSTRY INSIGHT
DENTISTRY
SPONSORED CONTENT
5 Ways to
Save Money
at the
Dentist
own, and cavities, broken or infected teeth
can quickly worsen. Most dental cavities
DON’T hurt, so it’s best to see your dentist
regularly before anything hurts.
T
he American Dental Association
lists cost as the number one reason
people do not go to the dentist.
With dental insurance becoming
more expensive while simultaneously
covering less treatment costs, patients
are sometimes left with fewer options to
receive the high quality dental care they
want and deserve. The following are five
tips you can start implementing today to
help you save money at the dentist.
Practice good oral hygiene daily.
Dental cavities are completely preventable
with proper oral hygiene, and incorporating
a few simple daily habits can save you a lot
of money over your lifetime. At a minimum,
it is recommended to floss, use an oral rinse,
and brush twice daily- in that order! Patients
are surprised to learn that not all toothpaste
is created equal; those that contain fluoride
provide the most protection to your teeth.
To maximize the effect of fluorinated
toothpaste, don’t rinse your mouth out with
water after brushing.
Ask if your provider offers prepayment
discounts.
Many dental offices will offer discounts
as high as 5-10% for patients that prepay
for their treatment; typically, patients will
receive an even higher discount if they
prepay with cash or check. Prepaying shows
that you are committed to protecting and
improving your oral health.
Explore dental membership plans.
Over 35% of Americans do not have dental
insurance. Even for those that are covered,
traditional dental insurance is often much
less valuable today than it once was. To
help uninsured or underinsured patients
get the treatment that they need, some
dentists offer dental membership or
savings plans. These plans usually have an
Be proactive rather than reactive.
There is a saying that “dentistry isn’t
expensive, neglect is expensive.” Scheduling
regular cleanings and wellness exams will
allow your dentist to catch problems early
while they are still small; this is an easy way
to save a significant amount of money, time,
and pain down the road. Unfortunately,
dental problems don’t get better on their
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upfront, reduced annual fee, and typically
cover two cleanings and wellness exams,
x-rays, fluoride treatment and sometimes
a generous professional courtesy discount
on future treatment. With a dental
membership plan, yearly maximums,
deductibles, claims forms, and pre-
authorizations are a thing of the past.
Choose quality over convenience.
In dentistry, not all treatment solutions are
created equal. When it comes to your oral
health, remember that “Good things aren’t
cheap and cheap things aren’t good.” While
it may be tempting to opt for the lowest
cost and quickest treatment option in the
short-run, you may be better off investing
in a higher quality treatment solution that
will last longer and have less complications,
as well as look and feel better. This can help
you to avoid having to re-address the same
problem every few years and save money
in the long-term. Investing in high quality
healthcare is always a good investment.
Dr. Stryker is the founder and owner of
Lincoln Crossings Dental Care in North
Huntingdon. He is passionate about high
quality personalized dental care and his
practice is focused on general and
implant dentistry. You can learn more
about Lincoln Crossings Dental care at
www.lincolncrossingsdentalcare.com
724.864.6530 • 40 Lincoln Way • Suite 325
North Huntingdon, PA 15642