Inevitably, the rain must eventually give way to the sun. Life is full of inevitabilities; one often unpleasant one is a visit to the dentist.
Many people have a real fear, however irrational it may be, of the dentist’s office. This fear is often magnified for children. As a parent, you must find creative ways to help them overcome that fear.
But even then, the battle is only half won. Once you help your kid face the fear, you need to be able to pay for that dentist’s visit.
Creative budgeting is easier than you may think. If you need to save some money for future medical bills, we are here to help.
At Twin Cities Kids Club
, we know how vital the health of your children is to you. It is important to us as well. We want to help you prepare for the potentially high dental bills.
Before we move on to a few creative budgeting ideas, let’s take a closer look at your child’s oral care needs.
6 to 12 months
- Your child’s first check-up
- 1-2 check-ups this first year
- Average cost of 65 to 100 dollars a check-up
12 to 24 months
- 1-2 check-ups
- Average cost of 65 to 100 dollars a check-up
- Add 30 to 35 dollars for fluoride treatments
2 to 6 years
- Check-up with cleaning around every six months as indicated by your dentist
- Average cost of 65 to 100 dollars per check-up
- The first steps of orthodontic treatment, if needed
- Orthodontic treatment costs 4000 dollars or more
12 and up
- Check-up with cleaning around every six months as indicated by your dentist
- Average cost of 65 to 100 dollars per check-up
- The first or second round of orthodontic treatment, as needed
- Typical cost of orthodontic treatment at this stage is 3000 to 7000 dollars
These dentist visits are necessary for your child’s oral health. Lack of money should not be the only thing stopping you from taking your child to the dentist.
Fortunately, there are several options available to you. Here are a few of them.
Contact Dentistry Schools
A simple google search will tell you if you have a dental school near your location. If you are lucky enough to be close to a school for future dentists, check their website to see what they offer.
You may get discounts on check-ups and cleanings. If the school trains orthodontists, you may even be able to get braces or dental work at significantly lower costs. These schools usually only except a certain amount of applications each year, apply early.
And don’t be too concerned about students providing shoddy dental work. Experienced faculty members always oversee these services.
Dental Insurance Policy
More and more in these modern times, people need to buy their own health insurance. If your employer provides your coverage, check to see what dental benefits you enjoy.
If you had to find your own insurance provider, hopefully, you chose a policy with good dental coverage. Most plans will not cover the full cost of orthodontic work. They will cover part, though.
Even if your insurance doesn’t have a great dental plan, you may be able to add a new dental discount plan. Find a discount plan that suits your needs. You can do an online search or even ask your existing insurer if they offer an added discount plan.
Set Up a Payment Plan
If you don’t ask, you’ll never know. You would be amazed at how many aspects of your life to which that axiom applies. Many practitioners are willing to offer payment plans.
You might not know if this is something they are willing to do. And you will never know unless you ask. Some practices will provide you with an in-house, often interest-free plan to pay for your dental needs. If they don’t have an in-house option, they may set you up with a private lender.
Some practitioners are willing to provide services at significantly reduced prices to low-income families. Don’t be afraid to ask. Share your story and see what your dentist can do for you.
Use Public Assistance
Your state offers medical plans, and these plans generally include dental. Check with your state’s office to see if your child qualifies.
Your child may qualify for assistance, even if you don’t. The income requirements are often different for children. Even if you make a generally good income, if you have a large number of children, your child’s orthodontic treatments may be covered entirely.
State assistance is not your only option, though. If you do not qualify for state medical coverage, you may be eligible for charitable aid. One charity you should look into is Smiles Change Lives. They are a national nonprofit organization that can help you cover the cost of your child’s braces.
Discounts and Coupons
Keep an eye out for community mail-outs from your local dentist and orthodontist offices. You can also check out your local community centers for coupons and discount offers.
Additionally, you can go right to the source. Contact the dentist or orthodontist of your choice directly. The best option would be a face to face interaction. People are less likely to turn you down if you are looking them in the eye.
Flexible Spending Accounts
Flexible spending accounts are great ways to tackle large purchases. Talk to your employer to see if they even offer these benefits. If they do, you may be able to set aside money, tax-free, of course, that you can use to cover your child’s dental costs.
Some employers may even offer you a pre-loaded debit card, so you have immediate access to the funds you need.
Your child’s dental health is crucial. But it is only one aspect of their overall health. Let’s look back on our earlier post about the importance of healthy eating habits. Take a holistic approach to your child’s health, and you can’t help but see improvements in every part of their well-being.
If you become a member of the Twin Cities Kids Club, you will have immediate access to a plethora of offers and discounts. Many of those offers will help you on the road to a healthy and happy child. What are you waiting for?