dentist

Ouch! 5 Ways to Make Paying for the Dentist Less Painful

Mikey Rox — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 21:00:40 +0000

A trip to the dentist might not hurt your pocket if you have dental insurance. All you have to do is flash your insurance card, cover your co-pay, and be on your merry way. But without dental insurance, a routine visit might be more than you bargained for. Not only is there the agony of dealing with all that noisy scraping, sucking, and drilling, but you can get hit with a hefty fee for services.

There isn't much you can do to make the actual appointment more enjoyable, but there are ways to ease the financial pain of paying for a dental visit. Take a look at these five tips on how to make paying the best part of your dental appointment.

1. Save Big With a Dental Discount Plan

If dental insurance isn't offered through your employer and you can't afford monthly premiums on your own, purchase a discount dental plan.

These plans vary depending on the plan provider, but are significantly cheaper than dental insurance. For example, the Careington Care 500 Series discount dental plan costs about $159 a year for a family plan, and offers discounts of 20% to 60% for most dental procedures. Instead of paying a usual fee of $57 for a routine six-month checkup, the discounted fee for plan members is $15 — a savings of 74%. The plan also covers other dental procedures, such as X-rays, fillings, crowns, root canals, tooth replacements, and tooth removals, as well as cosmetic dentistry and orthodontics care for adults and children.

If you're interested in these discount dental plans, DentalPlans can help you find the perfect plan for your needs and budget. The site allows users to search, compare, and select from more than 30 discount dental plans that offer savings of 10% to 60% off most dental procedures.

2. Don't Skip Regular Examinations

Going to the dentist might not be the highlight of your day, but skipping regular examinations could end up costing you more in the long run.

Regular six-month examinations are crucial for good oral hygiene. Your dentist can identify dental problems early and treat a small issue before it worsens and becomes an expensive one. If you have a small cavity, your dentist might be able to fill the cavity at a small expense. On the other hand, if you ignore a cavity and the decay worsens, fixing the tooth might require more than a conventional filling, and you might need a dental crown. The more extensive a dental procedure, the more you'll pay out-of-pocket.

Make sure you visit the dentist at least twice a year for a professional cleaning. And if you experience toothaches, bleeding gums, or other oral problems, let your dentist know sooner rather than later.

3. Negotiate a Cash Discount

If you don't have a dental discount plan or insurance, speak with your dentist's office in advance to see if you can get a discount for paying cash. Some dentists prefer cash payments directly from patients because they don't have to deal with insurance claims. Never underestimate the power of negotiation. If the dentist knows you don't have insurance, he might surprise you and knock money off your bill.

"Many dentists will offer around 5% off if you pay cash up front," says Dr. Lawrence Wallace, CEO of Larell Surgical Consultants, a California company that evaluates claims for insurers.

Also, it doesn't hurt to ask dentists to charge you the same rate they charge insurance companies, which is usually 10% to 15% off a regular office visit or procedure. This may not work out, but it's worth a shot.

4. Go to a Dental School

Before a dental student can graduate and start working in a dental office, she needs to practice on real people. This is where you come in. Going to a dental school for routine dental procedures, such as cleanings, fillings, and root canals can result is a cheaper dental bill. To give you an idea of the potential savings, the Indiana University School of Dentistry charges "about half what a dentist might charge for preventative care like a cleaning."

The thought of a student working on your mouth might sound scary. However, these students only perform services on patients as they near graduation, and always under the supervision of an instructor. You can check the American Dental Association's website for a list of accredited dental schools in your area. Personally, I went to a dental school to have my wisdom teeth removed after college when I didn't have insurance. Everything went according to plan, and they got me sufficiently high on gas before the procedure. All things considered, that was the best part of my day.

5. Barter for Free or Cheap Dental Care

If you don't have a lot of cash to pay for dental care, consider bartering for discounted or free services. Maybe you have a skill that can benefit the dentist, such as web design, office cleaning, or marketing skills. Contact the office manager and leave a message for the dentist asking to trade services in exchange for dental care.

Do you have other ideas on how to save money on dental appointments? Let me know in the comments below.

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This article is from Mikey Rox of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

This Is How You Decide If Dental Insurance Is Worth It

Anthony Hall — Fri, 09 May 2014 08:24:23 +0000

Despite its limitations, dental insurance may be the most progressive insurance out there, in that it leans heavily on preventative care. Regular cleanings and examinations may prove to be what stands between you and big bills down the line. In that sense, while coverage of major procedures is often downright disappointing, a University of Maryland Dental School study shows you will end up ahead with dental insurance, because you will visit the dentist more often and that extra care will pay for itself.

Let's take a closer look at when dental insurance is worth it, and when it isn't.

You Can't Cheat the System

Insurance companies have anticipated the patient who has a sore tooth and no insurance, who signs up for a plan hoping to pay one $7 monthly premium and then stick the insurer for the bill for a $1,500 root canal. They do this by instituting waiting periods of 12 to 18 months before they will help with bills for anything beyond routine dental exams and by flipping the percentage of coverage from an average of 80% for check ups, cleanings, and X-rays to a measly 50% (or less!) for serious procedures, such as bridges or root canals.

If you want the coverage, you have to buy it before you need it.

A Very Painful Root Canal

What does this mean? If you buy a relatively expensive plan that runs $350 per year and test it with a $1,500 root canal procedure within a month or so, you will end up paying $350 plus $1,500, and you will have to cough up $100 for the annual deductible. You just paid $1,950 for a $1,500 procedure.

Now you have that same root canal, but you waited for the insurance on major procedures to kick in. In this case, you paid the annual premium of $350 twice and the deductibles twice, which is $900 right there. The insurance company pays 50% of a major procedure, so you end up paying another $750 or $1,650 for a $1,500 procedure.

Ouch!

Over Time You Benefit From the Benefits

Is that your last trip to a dentist? Most likely not.

As an insured patient, you will now make an average of 2.83 visits per year to the dentist compared to an average of 2.49 visits per year for someone without insurance. You'll also make fewer visits for expensive dental care — .83 visits versus 1.58. As a result, you are now part of a statistical pool that pays $560 per year on dental expenses, while the uninsured group pays an average of $822 per year on dental bills. The point is, the routine dental care does pay off to the tune of $262 per year. As the major procedures are never going to be covered generously, anyway, the quicker you start getting regular check-ups and cleanings the better. After all, this might prevent that root canal from ever showing up in the first place.

Other Options to Consider

One option to consider is a discount plan. This is not insurance. This is a group of people who negotiate a discount with one or more dentists, usually a small network. For annual membership dues of $100 or more, you simply get a percentage reduction on your bills — generally 15% or so. For this, there are no deductible payments, no co-pays, no paperwork. Just a straight discount. DentalPlans allows you to search, compare, and select from more than 30 discount dental plans that offer savings of 10% to 60% off most dental procedures. You can type in your ZIP code to search for available plans and their costs, along with participating dentists in your area.

Another way to save is with a Health Savings Account. This is a federal program administered by local banks. Basically, with limits $3,300 per year for an individual and $6,550 for families, you start an income-tax-free account that can only be used for qualified medical bills. Here, the math is simple. If you are in a 25% income tax bracket, you would normally pay $825 in tax on $3,300 and $1,670.50 on the family limit of $6,550. In some cases, dental insurance premiums qualify as medical bills recognized by the HSA plan. That puts you ahead before the year even starts.

Take Advantage of Employer Insurance

There are, in fact, some $7 per month plans for individuals, but you might be wise to check their benefits thoroughly against other options. In point of fact, 99% of dental plans are set up by employers so that those signing up can get the benefit of group rates. What does this tell you?

It tells you that there is a clear advantage to a group rate — so much so that it has been advised that employees ask their employer to set up an insurance plan for them. Even if the employer doesn't contribute a nickel, but just donates administrative time, it is worth it for those signing up.

Do you have dental insurance either through your own policy or through an employer? Does it pencil out for you? Please share in comments!

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This article is from Anthony Hall of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

5 Ways to Save Money on Braces

Ashley Watson — Thu, 23 May 2013 10:24:31 +0000

The average cost of standard orthodontic treatment is approximately $5,000. This could be a little less or more depending on where you live and the severity of the case. Whether it's for your child or yourself, this is no small investment. That's why it's important to make sure that you get quality care and understand ways to keep extra costs to a minimum. My mother has worked as an orthodontic assistant for over 30 years, and during that time, she's seen a lot of patients who had to pay more than necessary due to neglecting some simple preventive maintenance and care. (See also: How to Examine Your Healthcare Plan and Save)

While there's no way to reduce the overall estimated cost without sacrificing quality, there are plenty of ways to ensure that you aren't paying more than you need to on braces for yourself or your child. Educating yourself as a patient or educating your child about how to properly care for your braces is only part of maintaining the cost-effectiveness of orthodontic treatment.

1. Go for Early Treatment

Even if you think your child may be too young for that first trip to the orthodontist, there may be issues that can be detected and prevented with early care. With a comprehensive plan and early diagnosis, an early visit could help prevent future issues that may be more difficult to treat. As soon as your child starts losing baby teeth, ask your dentist to recommend an orthodontist in the area.

2. Visit a Board Certified Orthodontist

It may be tempting to let a dentist put braces on you or your child because dentists who claim to be certified to do so will typically charge less than orthodontists. However, dentists are not fully trained to provide orthodontic treatment. Make sure you see a board-certified orthodontist. If you get braces put on by an unqualified professional, you may be paying a lot more in the end for more treatment. This also means potentially having to go through round two of braces, which is something most people would not look forward to.

For those reasons, it's also important to see a reputable orthodontist. Ask friends, neighbors, and coworkers for recommendations, or go to an online review site, such as Angie's List or Yelp. Read as much as you can about what other people write about orthodontists in your area. It doesn't hurt to visit a few different offices for consultations. Most orthodontists will offer free consultations. It may come down to going with someone who has the best personality or a larger staff, which indicates that they are probably a trusted service provider due to having to serve a larger patient base. A well-staffed office also means you will have more flexibility in scheduling appointments.

3. Ask About Payment Plan Details

Once you've chosen an orthodontist you like, be sure to ask for the details about their payment plans and make sure you understand them. Many orthodontists will offer a no interest plan with a down payment. For instance, if you put down one-fourth of the overall cost, you may get 24 months without interest. Just like with any credit card, there will be larger payments along with interest without a down payment.

If your orthodontist doesn't offer a payment plan, there are credit companies that offer financing specifically for orthodontics. Springstone is one of the major companies, but you can easily find one by searching the web. Also, ask your orthodontist to recommend a credit company that provides financing for braces. Most likely, they probably have a credit company that they work with already.

4. Encourage Brushing and Proper Care

Whether you or your child is the patient, poor brushing habits can lead to cavities and permanent markings. This will cost you more money for dental work and restorations in the end. Be sure to ask your orthodontist for tips on how to properly brush your teeth with the challenge of having braces. Also, only eat what is recommended to help prevent damage. This could end up costing a lot of extra money, and not just in labor costs.

Some orthodontists will charge for loose or broken brackets and bands, which can be costly if the problem recurs. Don't pay more money in frequent trips to the orthodontist to get something fixed. Avoid eating things like popcorn, ice, and sticky and hard candy, and also avoid chewing on pens and pencils. Also make sure you read your contract carefully and understand all the policies about wearing rubber bands, brushing, keeping your appointment, etc.

Keep in mind that broken appliances will cost you a lot more than regular treatment. Most orthodontic treatment will include the first retainer in the overall cost, but it can be $175 or more to replace one that was lost or damaged by misuse. Lost retainers are common. Kids tend to accidentally throw them away in the cafeteria at lunch because they put them in a napkin. Keep the case around to avoid losing a removable retainer.

5. Orthodontics Are Not Just Cosmetic

If you think you are spending a lot of money on a cosmetic treatment, keep in mind that orthodontic treatment is part of prevention for a number of medical concerns, such as jaw joint and muscle disorders (TMJ and TMD). Even tooth decay can be caused by teeth that are too close together and do not allow for proper flossing. Another tip during your search for an orthodontist is to ask about ongoing care. Is it included in the overall cost? Do they use permanent retainers as well as removable ones to keep the teeth in place?

These are important questions to ask before you sign anything. If there's no ongoing care, then you may end up paying more in the long run to go to another orthodontist for further treatment. Overall, make sure you know what you are getting into and that you are clear on the cost of treatment and what extra costs can be incurred throughout the treatment.

How have you saved money on orthodontic care?

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This article is from Ashley Watson of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Best Money Tips: Save Money on Dental Care

Ashley Jacobs — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 10:36:55 +0000

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips Roundup! Today we found some fantastic articles on saving on dental care, uses for plastic bags, and cutting back on home expenses.

Defensive Dentistry: How to Avoid Expensive Dental Problems

Kentin Waits — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 10:24:42 +0000

It seems like the first thing to go in a tight economy is dental and vision benefits. Either employers cut back or employees want to reduce all but the most essential paycheck deductions. Add root canal horror stories and the near-universal anxiety that comes with visit to the dentist, and it’s clear to see that we could all use some tips on defensive dentistry. (See also: Open Wide: 5 Ways to Score Discount Dental Care)

If you’d like stay out of dentist’s chair (except for regular check-ups, of course), here are a few dental hygiene habits to brush up on.

Brush

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that we brush our teeth at least twice a day and that one of those times should before bed. Thorough brushing removes plaque and that helps avoid two things everyone can do without — cavities and gum disease. Though it’s usually a good idea to brush after every meal, avoid it if you’ve been eating or drinking anything acidic. Acid weakens the tooth enamel and brushing within 30 minutes of consuming an acidic food or beverage risks damage to the tooth’s enamel. For a quick refresher on good brushing technique, check out the ADA's brushing guidelines (PDF).

Oh, and while we’re on the subject, don’t forget to make brushing your tongue as part of your routine too. Brushing the tongue, especially before bed, helps cut down on the amount of bacteria that’s at work in your mouth during those long hours of sleep.

Floss

In the world of dentistry, there’s a difference of opinion about rinsing with a good oral mouth rinse and flossing. Some studies show that rinsing is as equally effective as flossing; other studies refute it. But when it comes to dental health, it’s always good to err on the side of caution. Floss at least once each day to remove the finer food particles that can lodge between teeth and lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash reduces the bacteria that may irritate gums during brushing and flossing. And adding a fluoride rinse as the final step in your routine helps strengthen and protect the teeth. The ADA has a quick flossing guide (PDF) too.

Rinse

An antibacterial mouthwash is an essential part of a proactive dental routine. Whether you decide to use a pre-rinse, a post-rinse, or both, mouthwash helps keep your breath fresh, your teeth plaque-free, and your gums healthy.

Reduce Stress

Stress can really do a number on oral health. Besides generally weakening our immune systems, stress usually goes hand-in-hand with bad eating habits and inconsistent dental routines. Unaddressed stress and anxiety can also cause teeth clenching or nighttime teeth grinding, which may eventually weaken enamel or produce tooth fractures. Explore ways to reduce and manage stress through exercise, meditation, or broader lifestyle changes.

Eat Right

As with any health issue, diet plays a major role in maintaining good dental health. A well-balanced diet that’s low in sugar can help prevent the bacterial buildup that’s responsible for plaque and tooth decay. Also, to protect tooth enamel, limit or avoid acidic foods and beverages like citrus fruits, soda, and canned sweet teas.

Be More Aware

Knowing the early warning signs of dental problems can help minimize long-term damage, prevent the need for drastic corrective procedures, and keep your dental costs down. Watch for red flags like receding, inflamed, or bleeding gums (a sign of potential gum disease), tooth pain, or pain while chewing (a sign of potential cavities or an abscessed tooth). Signs of chronic health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, oral cancer, and HIV can also first manifest in our mouths. If you have any oral or dental condition that’s unusual, unexplained, or lasting, see your doctor.

Defensive dentistry isn’t about trying to avoid the dentist at all costs. Nothing can or should replace regular check-ups and cleanings. Instead, a bit of dental defense now can help keep your appointments routine and prevent the surprises that stress our budgets and tax our nerves later. That’s a pretty good payoff for a few small investments of toothpaste, floss, mouthwash, and time.

What does defensive dentistry mean to you? How has establishing a healthier routine helped you stay out of the dentist’s chair?

This article is from Kentin Waits of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Best Money Tips: Saving at the Dentist

Ashley Jacobs — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:00:20 +0000

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips Roundup! Today we found some great articles on saving at the dentist, jobs for people who want to work from home, and ways to make the msot out of gift cards.

Haircuts to Dentistry and More: Get Low-Cost Services From Students

Nicholas Pell — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 11:24:15 +0000

You need your teeth cleaned. You need a haircut. You really want a massage to get rid of the tightness in your back and shoulders. You don’t, however, have the scratch to make any of this happen. What you might not know is that a surprising number of services can be had on the cheap by getting them from students rather than accomplished masters of the trade. (See also: The Best Ways to Whiten Your Teeth)

Why You Can Trust Students

You might be a little reticent about getting a root canal from a student dentist. I’d even understand if you were worried about getting a haircut from an apprentice barber. However, your fears are largely unfounded. The truth about students providing services?

They’ve already clocked enough hours of classroom learning and hands-on training to qualify for performing services for the public.
They’re carefully supervised by their teachers. This is especially true of professional hopefuls like student dentists. In this case, the students often have a DDS hovering over at all times calling the shots while they perform the manual labor.
Their careers are on the line. Even the smallest mistake at this point can completely ruin a student’s future. They have a lot more at stake than a bad haircut or even, for that matter, a botched wisdom tooth extraction.

What Services Can You Get?

Just about every school teaching a trade has to have some way for students to learn their trade by doing the real thing. Examples of things you can get done by students include:

Hair cutting and coloring
Dental work
Massages
Auto repair and auto body work
Catering and meals

Finding services in your area is generally not as simple as logging on to Google, however. Search terms for “student services” generally yield more results about what options there are for students than what options exist for you.

So How Do You Find Cheap Student Services?

The best way to find cheap services from students and trainees is to inquire at local colleges and trade schools. Give a call to the department head of the relevant discipline or just call the main desk and ask what services the school provides, if any. Then ask how you can become a guinea pig for students... actually, you might want to avoid the phrase “guinea pig,” but otherwise the process is the same. Often medical schools, hairdressing schools, and dentistry schools have price lists on their website for people coming in for students to train on. In other cases, you might need to do a bit of legwork.

Alternately, you can try searching for the specific service you want, i.e. “student barber” or “student dentist.” If you live in a city of any size, chances are quite good that most of the services you currently pay top dollar for can be had significantly cheaper than what you’re currently paying.

Is It Worth It?

Whether or not it’s worth it depends a lot on what your definition of “worth it” is. If you’ve desperately got to get dental work done, this is a no brainer. If you’re the type of person who doesn’t get too attached to her hairdresser and isn’t that particular about her haircut, by all means start going to a student beautician. If you’ve just got to get your car back on the road, give a call to the local trade school and see what you can work out.

Remember that the services offered by students aren’t always on the same level as the experienced pros. However, you might not be able to tell the difference. The best advice I can give you is try out some student services and see how they work for you. If you like what you’re getting, keep saving money. If you don’t, find other ways to save money in your budget.

This article is from Nicholas Pell of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Buying Individual Dental Insurance Online: My Experience

Elizabeth Lang — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 12:00:11 +0000

My spouse changed jobs earlier this year, and with that came new insurance. I would have to pay 100% to be included on her dental plan, so I did some shopping around to find my own individual dental insurance.

First I called my dentist to find out what they would charge me for a regular cleaning visit: $115. While $230/year is not unaffordable, I was curious to see how this compared to my other options.

I next considered the option through my spouse's work. It would cost $30/month ($360/year) and give me $1,000 worth of coverage with a $100 deductible. Cleanings would be free. Spending an extra $130 didn't seem worth it to me.

Then I shopped around for individual dental insurance. On eHealthInsurance I found an individual dental insurance plan for $20/month. It was nearly the same as the one I would get through my spouse's employer but with lower coverage. Cleanings would be free. So would X-rays and topical fluoride. But the coverage was only $500/year.

Some people might argue that at this price point, there really isn't a major benefit to getting dental insurance. But for $10/year more than I would spend on cleanings, it seemed worth it to me for several reasons. First, I'm religious about my two-times-a-year cleanings, so I wouldn't be buying something I wouldn't use. Second, if I did need a root canal, cavity filling, or some other form of unexpected treatment, I would have $500 worth of coverage for only $10 more a year. This independent dental insurance was what I ended up buying.

I found the process to be less time-consuming and frustrating than I thought it might be. The site was straightforward to use, and it had awesome comparison charts. Unlike health insurance, dental insurance seems fairly simple (there aren't a lot of preexisting conditions or exceptions to worry about).

The verdict? I will definitely continue with my independent dental insurance coverage until I have a group plan through an employer.

What has been your experience with finding individual dental insurance?

Disclaimer: The eHealthInsurance links contain affiliate codes. I had a great experience buying through them and would recommend that you take a look if you are considering buying dental insurance.

This article is from Elizabeth Lang of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Getting more for your money in the most unexpected place

Paul Michael — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 17:54:24 +0000

I often get on my soap-box about bad customer service. I also preach (sorry) that you should all expect more for your money, be it shopping online or grabbing the weekly groceries. But I have to admit, even I thought this one was out of my out of my grasp. I’m referring to my recent trip to, wait for it, the dentist.

I am admittedly no fan of dentists. I’m allergic to pain and suffering, and they’re usually not in short supply at the tooth doctor. My last visit was over a year ago because of a completely rotten experience. I had to wait forever to see someone, I was flat-out insulted, my mouth was cut to shreds from the x-rays and I was then told I needed over $4000 worth of work. I declined (I later found out it was unnecessary work anyway), I came home in a sulk and my wife said she’d find us a better dentist. It took her a while.

Then, a few months ago, she said she had found our dentist. I was skeptical to say the least, but she was so happy that I had to admit, I was curious. After her appointment she received a thank you card from the office. Then, a $10 gift card to Jamba Juice. And she also came home with a state-of-the-art power toothbrush that she paid way less than retail for.

Value for money, friendly customer service, thank you cards, gifts. Could this be right? Aren’t we supposed to loathe the dentist? Well, I had my first appointment on Wednesday and I was genuinely taken aback.

When I arrived, I was greeted by a warm smile from the receptionist and she said “Hi Paul, how are you today?” She knew my name. No cold stare, no “where’s your insurance card?” just a genuine expression of being pleased to see me.

I was ushered to a chair, offered a cold drink and I filled out my paperwork. Then I went into the dreaded dentist’s chair where one of three people that day got to work. First, I had my x-rays taken. The technician was gentle and concerned for my well-being. After that, she asked if I would like moulds made of my teeth for whitening. I wasn’t so sure, until she said “it’s free…and so is the whitening gel, for life.”

Once again, my perceptions were challenged, but I happily took my freebie because whitening procedures are really expensive. Then, a dental hygienist entered the room and spent over an hour cleaning my teeth, finishing by massaging my gums and jaw. When I saw my dentist I was happy and content, and he used the latest laser equipment to detect cavities. I had some, but I really didn’t care at this point. I had been treated so well the news was minor.

I’m having my fillings done in a week. But I’m not bothered. In fact, I’m genuinely fine with going back. I can bring my favorite movie to watch, or I can choose from a wide selection in the office. And as my wife can already attest to, I won’t feel a thing.

Why is this story important? Because it shows that some people can actually get it right. They make you feel like more than just a number, they volunteer to give you genuinely expensive services for free, they even know your name when you walk in the door. It is something sadly missing from this world of large corporations. And I for one am loving this breath of fresh air. If you're not getting this kind of service from your dentist, doctor, optometrist, vet or anything else, maybe you should look around.

By the way, if anyone lives in Colorado the practice is called Cherokee Trail Dental Care and they can be reached at (303) 457 5288. They are filling up with patients fast, which is hardly surprising. It’s not a paid endorsement, they don’t even know I’m writing this article. But I think what goes around comes around, and that works for good deeds as well as bad. I advise anyone who runs a business, large or small, to pay close attention to this small practice with big ideas. It is without a doubt my best customer experience this year, if not this decade.

This article is from Paul Michael of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

dentist

Ouch! 5 Ways to Make Paying for the Dentist Less Painful

1. Save Big With a Dental Discount Plan

2. Don't Skip Regular Examinations

3. Negotiate a Cash Discount

4. Go to a Dental School

5. Barter for Free or Cheap Dental Care

Like this article? Pin it!

This Is How You Decide If Dental Insurance Is Worth It

You Can't Cheat the System

A Very Painful Root Canal

Over Time You Benefit From the Benefits

Other Options to Consider

Take Advantage of Employer Insurance

Like this article? Pin it!

5 Ways to Save Money on Braces

1. Go for Early Treatment

2. Visit a Board Certified Orthodontist

3. Ask About Payment Plan Details

4. Encourage Brushing and Proper Care

5. Orthodontics Are Not Just Cosmetic

Like this article? Pin it!

Best Money Tips: Save Money on Dental Care

Top 5 Articles

Other Essential Reading

Defensive Dentistry: How to Avoid Expensive Dental Problems

Brush

Floss

Rinse

Reduce Stress

Eat Right

Be More Aware

Best Money Tips: Saving at the Dentist

Top 5 Articles

Other Essential Reading

Haircuts to Dentistry and More: Get Low-Cost Services From Students

Why You Can Trust Students

What Services Can You Get?

So How Do You Find Cheap Student Services?

Is It Worth It?

Buying Individual Dental Insurance Online: My Experience

Getting more for your money in the most unexpected place