Going to the dentist can be expensive but if you are one of the many Canadians delaying dental care out of fear of dental prices, you should be aware that this tactic can backfire.
Avoiding oral care because of high dental costs can often result in an even bigger bill and a lot of pain down the road.
If you don’t have dental insurance and are having trouble finding an affordable dentist, there are certain measures you can take without compromising your oral health.
Learn More: Most Common FAQs About Dental Prices at Our Calgary Clinic
4 Ways to Lower Your Dental Costs
The recession and high unemployment rates have put more of the burden of dental care on the shoulders of already strained budgets.
If you are one of the many Canadians without dental health insurance, here are a few simple and easy ways to keep dental prices low and make your visit to the dentist much more affordable.
- Visit Your Dentist Regularly & Practice Good Oral Hygiene
Just as with medical care, a little prevention goes a long way in avoiding big dental bills. Brushing and flossing daily will help you avoid things that send you to the dentist’s chair in the first place. Cavities and gum disease can require costly treatments, but can be prevented with good dental hygiene habits.
Scheduling annual dental exams and cleanings can also help keep your long-term dental costs down. These checkups identify oral problems before they get more serious and result in higher dental prices.
High-risk patients, such as those with periodontal disease or who smoke, may require more frequent visits to protect their oral health.
In addition to keeping your dental costs down, regular visits to your dentist can have many benefits including:
- A brighter, healthier smile
- Tooth loss prevention
- Lower risk of cavities and other oral diseases
- Regular screenings for oral cancer
Learn More: Affordable Dental Cleanings Costs in Calgary
- Work With Your Dentist
Don’t be afraid to talk with your dentist and the staff about dental cleanings costs, checkup prices and other fees when you are making your appointment.
There are two main ways your dentist can help lower your dental prices:
| Payment Options |
If you have an extensive procedure coming up, such as a root canal, or are worried about dental cleaning costs, be sure to talk to your dentist’s staff ahead of time about payment options. Some may be willing to lower the dental price if you agree to pay within a certain time frame. |
| Payment by Cash |
For many dentists, accepting cash payments directly from patients is preferable to filing insurance claims. If you offer to pay by cash, some clinics are willing to offer discount services. |
- Check Your Eligibility For Govornment Programs
While routine dental care costs such as cleanings, fillings and wisdom teeth extraction are not covered under Alberta Health Care Insurance, some specific oral and maxillofacial surgical services are. Be sure to ask your dentist for details prior to any treatment.
Alberta seniors with low-to-moderate incomes may be eligible for some benefits under the Dental & Optical Assistance for Seniors Program.
To be eligible for this, you must:
- Be over the age of 65
- Have lived in Alberta for at least 3 months before applying
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
Contact our Calgary Dentist to Find Out More
Learn More
To learn more about how we can help make your visit to the dentist affordable, contact our Calgary dental clinic today at 403-248-2066.
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