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by Susan Paige

Dental care is an expense that most people acknowledge they need but secretly wish they could delay. However, dental care delays only lead to increased discomfort, increased complications, and increased costs later. For people who have financial problems or if they are just attempting to set a budget, deciding how to provide for dental care may be overwhelming.

The positive news is that there are numerous ways to pay for dental care without utilizing the credit industry. When one fully comprehends all of the various options available, they will be able to select the one that provides the best fit.

Why Dental Care So Often Becomes a Financial Strain

Dental care is the only form of medical care that is typically uninsured or underinsured. It is no different when you have dental insurance. There are limits to what dental plans will pay due to waiting periods and exclusions. Because dental plans have a set yearly maximum, most people will end up paying a large portion of their total dental bill out-of-pocket.

Most dental procedures, such as crowns, root canals, implants, and orthodontics, are quite costly, costing thousands of dollars and as a result, when the need for dental care arises unexpectedly, most people do not have the necessary funds saved to cover these expenses. This is where financing comes in. Although financing is an option, it is not always the best choice.

The Real Cost of Delaying Dental Treatment

People think avoiding going for dental care is going to help their finances, they are however mistaken because it causes them to incur more expense as time goes on.

An example of this is how a small cavity could escalate into a root canal. A gum inflammation can either go away or develop into periodontal disease. A toothache may become critical and need emergency treatment, which can be expensive. In the long term, preventative measures usually cost less than corrective measures.

Dental Credit Cards: Helpful or Risky?

Dental credit cards are one of the most popular financing methods offered by dental offices. CareCredit is a well-known name that is often promoted in checkout lanes with offers of deferred interest and zero interest.

These cards are useful in certain circumstances, especially when:

1. You are offered a promotional interest period
2. You are sure you can pay off your balance before interest is applied
3. You are fully aware of all terms and conditions

Dental credit cards, however, also have some risks. When interest is deferred, this means that if you are not able to pay off your balance in full before a given period ends, interest is applied to your original amount. In this way, what could have been a manageable expense turns into a long-term debt.

For people who are working hard to pay off debt, this is an important consideration.

Alternatives to Dental Credit Cards Worth Exploring

However, there are other options available aside from dental credit cards. For example, there have been more flexible options available in recent years. 

Some of these options include:

1. Point of sale financing options which provide fixed monthly payments
2. Personal loans which can be taken out to cover medical or dental care
3. In-house options which are offered by dental offices

There are also resources available that discuss these other healthcare financing options . Some dental credit cards provide simple overviews of the options available to those looking to avoid traditional dental credit cards.

Payment Plans Through Your Dentist

In-house payment plans are offered by some dental offices that allow patients to make payments over several months. This may not always be publicly announced by these offices. It’s therefore important to inquire about this.

The advantages of using in-house plans are:

1. No third-party lender
2. No interest
3. Flexibility under special circumstance

However, this may not be offered by all offices or may require a higher upfront payment.

Using Savings Without Creating New Debt

If you have an emergency fund set aside, dental care is a legitimate use for that money. It may not be pleasant to use your savings, but at least you are not creating more debt for yourself.

If you do not have an emergency fund set aside, this is a good wake-up call for why it is so important to have even a small emergency fund for unexpected medical bills that do not wait for good timing.

Making a Debt Conscious Decision

When considering the best way to pay for dental services, it is important to ask questions such as;

1. What is the long-term cost of this decision?
2. What happens if I am unable to make a payment?
3. Is this decision consistent with my current debt reduction priorities?

While financing dental services is not an irresponsible choice, one will have to carefully evaluate the long term impacts of options available and select a payment option that causes the least financial strain.

Final Thoughts

It is no secret that dental health and financial health are closely linked. Neglecting one will have a negative effect on the other. While dental credit cards are a good tool for certain situations, they are not the only answer and they are not necessarily the best answer.

It is not difficult to take care of yourself by looking at different options and asking questions, as well as using financing with a clear head rather than a panicked one. It is not impossible to have a healthy smile and a healthy bank account.