When it comes to looking after your health, it’s never a good idea to brush aside your oral hygiene. While you may be reluctant to make regular dentist appointments due to the expense, it’s possible to reduce the cost of these visits if you equip yourself with the right oral hygiene know-how to begin with.
Keep reading for 6 tips to help you save money at the dentist.
1) Practice good oral hygiene
“Prevention is better than cure” as they always say, and this couldn’t be any more true when it comes to dentistry. By practising good oral hygiene, you’ll be much less likely to visit the dentist for emergencies because you won’t have any cavities to attend to.
The ideal habit is brushing twice a day and flossing daily, and any Miami dentist would agree. By sticking to these habits, you’ll be keeping your mouth clean and mitigating the risk of oral diseases – while saving yourself some money in the process.
2) Consider a bulk billing dentist
In Australia, if you or your child are eligible for Medicare, you can access free public dental services without having to pay for a gap or submit claims. For children, they may also be entitled to the Commonwealth’s Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS), which includes Medicare Dental, Bulk Billing Dental, Free Children’s Dental, and other benefits. This scheme enables children to have $1000 worth of dental work done for free in the span of two calendar years.
How to know if you’re eligible for bulk billing?
To be able to utilise bulk billing, the family must already be receiving government benefits beforehand. You can learn more about your eligibility on the Department of Human Services website. In summary, for children to be eligible, they have to meet the following criteria:
- Under 18 years old
- Eligible for Medicare
- Receives at least one of the following: Youth Allowance, Family Tax Benefit Part A, Disability Support Pension, Special Benefit, Carer Payments, Parenting Payments, or Double Orphan Pension
What dental services are covered with the Child Dental Benefits Schedule?
With a bulk bill dentist Sydney or NSW-based, you can utilise the following services:
- Periodical Health check-ups
- Oral care cleaning
- Tooth fillings
- Examinations
- Root Canals
- Professional teeth cleaning
- X-rays
- Fissure sealants
- Fillings
- Partial dentures
- Extractions
Some of the services that aren’t provided under the child dental benefits schedule are cosmetic dental work, dental appointments that need a hospital visit, and children’s orthodontic dental treatment.
3) Bring historical information like previous X-Rays
When the situation calls for it, if you visit a new dentist for the first time, it’s important to bring your old X-Rays and dental reports with you. This can help the dentist assess the nature of your dental history and the history of your oral hygiene. This holds true across the board for other check-ups as well — from skin health to chest x-rays.
In addition, being prepared might save you money by reducing the need to get a new set of documents and X-rays. While some X-rays and dental reports require updates after long periods, past documents will help the dentist figure out whether there’s something that needs cross-examining or if everything looks in order.
4) Health insurance
Do you have dental insurance? If so, it’ll help you save more money on expensive dental services like those to align your teeth without braces. However, while not all health insurance plans cover dental expenses such as check-ups and treatments, there are some that do.
If you’re not sure whether your health insurance plan covers these services, contact the company and find out. This seemingly overlooked detail will help you save money as it reduces the likelihood you’ll need to pay upfront dental fees. Check out our guide for other money saving hacks.
5) Spread treatment over 2 calendar years
If your next dental issue requires you to have more than one trip (and if you have the right dental insurance in place), you can save some money by visiting the dentist over an extended period of time.
For example, if you need two dental crowns fitted and have an allowance of $900 per crown, consider spreading your appointments over the course of two years. Technically, you could schedule appointment #1 mid December, and appointment #2 early January. Speak to your dentist about it and get updated with your health insurance fund to see your eligibility.
6) Visit multiple dentists and price check
It’s a good idea to speak to multiple dentists before making a decision on who will do any costly dental work on you. Some clinics will charge more than others, and this can be based on a variety of factors such as location, reputation, and simple marketing.
If you know exactly what work you need done, you can gather a list of dentists and get a range of quotes to compare. While it may take a bit of effort, this is a guaranteed way to make sure you’re getting the most cost-effective service. Making inquiries like how much do braces cost will help you choose the right dentist with quality services at a price you can afford.
But of course, don’t always go for the cheapest option just because you can. Find the sweet spot that balances value and quality to get the most out of your dental appointment.
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