Tag Archives: Care Credit

Can’t Afford Tooth Care

I have had a decaying wisdom tooth for some time. I just don’t have money for the dentist. Lately, though the pain is going up my cheekbone toward my eye. Because it is not just in my tooth, do you think I could get antibiotics for a doctor for the infection? I have medical insurance, but not dental insurance.

Eric

Dear Eric,

Man in pain, grabbing his cheek in need of emergency dental care.

I don’t want you to mess around with this. Believe it or not, people still die from tooth infections. While you could go to your doctor and he might give you an antibiotic, all that will do is hold the infection back for a short time. As soon as the antibiotic finishes, the infection will flare back up.

Dental infections are different than other types because once the pulp of the tooth is infected and dies there is no blood flow in the tooth. The antibiotic cannot reach the root of the infection. The only way to “heal” a tooth infection is to physically remove the infected pulp.

Normally, if the tooth can be saved, the best treatment option will be a root canal treatment. However, with a wisdom tooth you would just extract it.

Affording Dental Care

I know that does not mean you have any more money. However, I want you to think about what will happen when this infection spreads. It is already moving up your cheek. It is not too far from there to your brain. An infection like that will be life-threatening.

One thing I would do is look for a dentist who advertises as an affordable dentist. This almost always means they are willing to work out payment options for patients. That will especially be likely in a situation such as yours where there is an urgent care situation.

Another option, if you can’t find a dentist willing to work with you is to work through Care Credit. This is a medical credit card that will pay for your care and allow you to pay it off. You have to have reasonable credit, but if you qualify their terms are remarkably good.

Please don’t put this off.
This blog is brought to you by Gilbert Dentist Dr. Matt Roper.

Can’t Afford Pediatric Dentist; Are General Dentists Cheaper?

There are two pediatric clinics in our area. One has a great reputation but is expensive. The other is cheaper and where all the low-income families go (we’re low-income ourselves), but has a horrible reputation and I don’t know a child who likes it. I don’t want to send my son there. Would a general dentist be less expensive? Do they take children?

Bea C.

Dear Bea,

Four Smiling Children
Finding Affordable Pediatric Dental Care

We want the absolute best for our children. Few things are more discouraging than when we can’t afford it. However, being low-income doesn’t mean you can’t find affordable dental care, even pediatric care. Let me answer your two questions separately.

Are General Dentists More Affordable than Pediatric Dentists?

It depends. Each dentist determines his or her price independently. You may have some specialists which are significantly more expensive than your average general dentist. At the same time, you could have some who want to keep their prices down so affordable specialty care is available.

As you don’t have many options when it comes to pediatric care in your area, you have a couple of options. You may want to talk to the good pediatric clinic to see if they have affordable payment plans. Even if they don’t have in-office plans (like Dr. Roper does), many are willing to work with Care Credit, which is a medical card that offers low and even no-interest payment plans.

Do General Dentists See Children?

Again, it depends on the dentist. There are general dentists who enjoy working with children. They’re qualified to treat them and even had to do a pediatric rotation during their training. If ever something came up that required more of a specialist, they could give you a referral.

I’d start by talking to your dentist. It’s always convenient for the whole family to attend the same clinic together. There’s a medical advantage as well. The dentist will have a fuller picture of what your child’s genetic leanings will be when it comes to oral health.

If mom and dad are prone to decay even with good oral care, the dentist will know to keep a closer eye on the children’s teeth, which tend change quickly so they don’t end up with sudden large decay which could have been dealt with sooner.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Matt Roper.

Will an Emergency Dentist Bill a Venue for Me?

I’m in a bind. I’m a college student who grew up in a group home. Once I turned 18 I’ve been pretty much on my own. I went on a date where we went dancing. They had a platform which we were dancing on along with a bunch of other people. Apparently too many people because it collapsed. Outside of a few bruises and realizing my date cared more about his well-being than mine, I thought I was okay. But, this morning my front teeth feel loose. I don’t have a ton of money but I don’t want to lose my teeth. Would an emergency dentist charge the venue? I don’t know if I have enough to cover this. I don’t even know what “this” is.

Corra L.

Dear Corra,

A woman grabbing her jaw in need of an emergency dentist

First, I want to express that I’m sorry you’ve had to grow up in a group home. Hopefully, you have a good group of friends that help you feel you have some back up in this world. It is important that you see an emergency dentist. In the meantime, be sure not to wiggle them. I know it’s tempting, but you risk snapping your ligaments, which will derail your efforts to save the teeth.

I’m going to start by telling what to expect when you see an emergency dentist. They’ll check the tooth along with x-raying it to make sure no damage is done to the pulp. IF the pulp is damaged, you’ll need a root canal treatment and dental crown. Because you’re talking about your front teeth, be sure they only give you all-porcelain crowns (as opposed to the metal-based crowns). They look more natural and you won’t have to worry about a gray line developing at the top of your gumline.

If the pulp is fine, they’ll just need to splint your loose teeth to some stable teeth. It may just be a matter of giving the ligaments time to heal.

Affording an Emergency Dentist

Unfortunately, the dentists will not be able to bill the venue. Dentists can only bill those receiving the service or their guardians. However, save every receipt for every scrap of money this costs you. I’m sure they’ll be a lawsuit of some kind given that people were hurt and you’ll probably get the money back.

Even though the dentist can’t bill someone else, it doesn’t mean you’re trapped and can’t get the help you need. Most dentists went into the field because they wanted to help people. In fact, there are affordable dentists who will be willing to work with you. I believe, you especially, given your unique circumstances, will find dentists compassionate.

Some have in-house payment plans. Others use Care Credit. Either way, you should be able to get the care you need and then pay it out.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Matt Roper.

How Do I Get Affordable Dentistry for My Mom?

My mom has been unable to care for herself lately. I’ve taken over her care. Her teeth are in bad shape. Really bad shape. She needs dental care but has no insurance and little money.  I’ve called around but everyone seems to want thousands of dollars up front. IS there any affordable option?

Sandy – Texas

Sandy,

I’m glad your mom has a daughter who cares enough to take care of her. Not all moms have that. There are affordable dentists who will work with you.

Explain your situation. At the least, many dentists have payment plans that will allow you to get her most essential work done right away.

Some dentists have in-office payment plans. Others use Care Credit, which is a  medical credit card. It allows patients to choose their terms, even zero interest payment plans.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Matt Roper.

Affordable Dentistry for Low-Income Patients with a Dental Emergency?

I need to find an affordable dentist for my dad. He is 63 and has a terrible toothache, but he’s also unemployed and on state insurance, which doesn’t provide dental coverage. Obviously, with the unemployment, he can’t really afford to have the tooth fixed, which is terrible. He keeps trying to live with it, thinking he’ll just fix it when he gets back on his feet again, but I’m really worried that it’s infected and that it’s getting worse. How do I find an affordable dentist who will help him?

Thanks,

Jim

Dear Jim,

I love when I see children taking care of their elderly parents. There are a lot of ways you can find an affordable dentist and it sounds like your dad needs to get in as soon as possible. Anytime there’s pain it is a dental emergency. If it’s an infection, it will get worse and spread, so it’s good that you’re looking into options.

The fastest way to get him treatment is to call around and see who offers payment plans. Some offices will provide in-house financing, but a lot of them are offering things like Care Credit, which is financing through a company that only helps people with medical bills.

They usually have a deal where, if you pay off the balance in six months or less, you don’t even have to pay interest on it. If you find an office that does either one of these things, any office can instantly become an affordable dentist and he can get treatment right away.

If he’s in a real bind, have him visit his primary care physician. Although a doctor won’t treat dental needs, he can assess it and determine if he thinks it’s infected. If it is, he’ll be able to prescribe antibiotics, which should be covered under his state medical care. This won’t fix the problem. He’ll still need to see a dentist, but it will buy him a little bit of time to work out which affordable dentist he’s going to see and how he’ll cover the expenses.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Matt Roper.

Is There An Affordable Tooth Removal?

I had a cavity. I can’t afford a dentist. Now my face is swelling around my tooth with the cavity. Is there a dentist who does cheap tooth removal or a way I can do it myself?

Dan

Dan,

I know you feel you can’t afford a dentist right now, but I want you to understand how serious this is. People can, and do still, die from tooth infections. If this isn’t dealt with, you put your health in serious jeopardy. In all honesty, you can’t afford not to get this looked at.

Most dentists went into the industry to help people. If you explained your financial situation, they’d likely work out a payment plan for you. Call an emergency dentist and tell them what you’ve told me.

Don’t try to take out the tooth yourself. A piece of the root will likely get left behind, and with it the infection. Plus, there could be a way to save at least the root of the tooth, which will be much healthier for you in the long run.  A root canal could save your tooth.

There are zero interest payment plans with medical credit companies, such as Care Credit.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Matt Roper.