What to do for dental care...no insurance?

Question

What do you do when you have a toothache or other dental problem and dentists don't take payments? Also, no $$ on credit card available.

What do people on Medicare do for dental care?
What about people on Public Aid? Do you think that dental care should be included on health care reform?

Answer 1

It is very unfair in this country... the whole medical/dental insurance stuff. This can be seen in Michael Moore's film "Sikko".
People who do not have insurance through their employer have several options. There are programs that you can buy into where you would have to go to a participating dentist. These dentists have agreed to accept a set fee for each dental procedure. The amount owed by you, the patient, is also set.
One of these programs is called Northeast Dental Plan. You can go on-line to check if there are other dental insurance plans that you can buy into.
For those people on medicaid, there are dentists, though they may be few, who do accept the state plan. You have to check with the medicaid office in your area for a list of participating dentists. Then, as a last resort, many of the major hospitals have dentists to handle emergencies.
Good luck.

Answer 2

well, when you're on medicaid people go to their county health care facilities and they send you to their dentist or an outsourced dentist and they charge a nominal fee for an x-ray of the problem tooth and then advise what needs to be done. They have cut rates.

Otherwise, you get yourself a dental insurance plan. A few months ago it used to be around $9 a month and you can use it after a few months and then get free x-rays and a couple of cleanings a year. But then if something needs to be done there is a cut rate but you do have to pay the balance when it's done. Ask your favorite dentist which plan they use and then inquire with the plan and start up an insurance plan.

People on Medicare are up a creek without a paddle...so they have to get the dental plan (or like a dental plan with Humana or other companies they transfer their Medicare to).

It's all a matter of planning ahead, eating beans and rice or getting food stamps for a few months while you pay your dental bill.

Answer 3

There are many low income people who cannot get dental services because of the high cost of dental insurance and because of the high cost of dental services.

This is where dental schools are able to help people with highly reduced rates for their services. In areas where these are not available. there are programs where individuals can get the care need at highly reduced rates.

The best would be to have dental care included with Medicare.

Answer 4

I think dental work should be covered exactly the same as any other medical procedure.

If you need dental work and cannot afford it, check into the possibility that a dental school near you has a clinic for advanced students to learn. It's quite common; students are supervised by instructors, and the prices are MUCH lower than a private dentist.

Answer 5

I think people with Medicare and Public Aid get to visit a dentist once a year, and for ER's. I think it sucks that a lot of companies are offering small health benefits, and no dental at all! I believe dental and health benefits should go together, and should definitely be included in reform policies.

Answer 6

Dental prices are too high, but there is a solution. Ameriplan allows for many people to joing their dental plan, and pay much reduced rates. You save tons of money, and the monthly fee is very cheap, and it covers your whole family. Also, there is no waiting period, all previous conditions are accepted, and there is no age limit. Go here for more info: www.everyonebenefits.com/fornido

Answer 7

Some dentist do provide services for people with state aide. I just found one for my daughter today. A few people in my family have used dentist schools and found it perfectly fine. They even say they work better and harder since they are being graded. It be something I'd try if there were no insurance alternatives, it's low cost.

Answer 8

Dental plan coverage for individuals is not commonly offered because dental needs are highly predictable. For example, you would not pay premiums for your dental coverage if the premiums were more expensive than the cost of the dental treatment you need. Since this is the case, insurance companies would stand to lose money (spend more on benefits than they receive in premiums) on every individualdental plan they write.
There are, however, a few companies that offer a form of dental benefits for individuals. Most of these plans are "referral plans" or "buyers' clubs." Under these types of plans, an individual pays a monthly fee to a third party in return for access to a list of dentists who have agreed to a reduced fee schedule. Payment for treatment is made from the patient directly to the dentist. The third party acts only in the capacity of matching the individual to the dentist. The dentist receives no payment from the third party other than in the form of referral of patients.

Average Cost Of Dental Care In
All US Cities- Average Values
(Service; Average Fee; Highest Fee)

Preventative Care:
Single x-ray $13.00; $20.00
Bitewing x-rays (4 films) $43.00; $67.00
Complete Series of x-rays $94.00; $135.00
Panarex $91.00; $131.00
Adult cleaning and exam $65.00; $102.00
Child cleaning and exam $46.00; $76.00
Child's topical fluoride treatment $39.00; $52.00
Sealant per tooth $33.00; $52.00

Oral Surgery:
Initial Surgical Consultation $65.00; $131.00
Simple Extraction (single tooth) $98.00; $176.00
Simple Extraction (each add. tooth) $102.00; $161.00
Surgical Extraction $190.00; $268.00
Soft Tissue Impaction $229.00; $320.00
Partial Bony Impaction $324.00; $435.00
Full Bony Impaction $474.00; $599.00
Complicated Impaction $775.00; $1344.00
Panarex $82.00; $141.00
General Anesthesia (per unit) $154.00; $239.00
Surgical Implant Placement $1868.00; $3964.00
Abutment Implant Placement $991.00; $2112.00

These site also have a LOT of helpful information:
http://www.san-diego-dentist.us
http://san-diego-dentists.blogspot.com
http://www.san-diego-dentist.us/san-diego-dentist-tijuana-dentist.html
http://www.san-diego-dentist.us/tijuana-dentist.htm
http://www.san-diego-dentist.us/san-diego-dental-implants.html
http://www.medical-research-study-directory.info/san-diego-medical-research-study.htm
http://www.lasik-surgery-san-diego.info/lasik-eye-surgery-san-diego.htm
http://www.las-vegas-nevada-lawyer-attorney-legal-injury-defense-directory.com
http://www.acne-treatment-medicine-1.info

Answer 9

just ask your parents for advice.