unexpected dental costs

How To Pay For Unexpected Dental Costs

Good dental health means good overall health. Keeping your teeth, gums, and overall mouth healthy and free of disease and cavities means that bacteria is less likely to move to your heart as well as exacerbate certain conditions, such as diabetes. And this will also keep your dental costs from skyrocketing.

This is a big benefit, especially since dental costs tend to be high, especially if you don’t have insurance to help you out. Extensive procedures can even hit $10,000 or more. So, where can you turn if you suddenly need to cover unexpected dental costs? Here are just a few of the options you have.

8 Options To Handle Unexpected Dental Costs

1. Rely On Your Health Insurance

Medical insurance policies, whether offered by your employer or available through your choice of a private company, commonly cover many dental procedures. These policies especially cover regular check-ups and X-rays. Some provide substantial assistance with higher-priced dental work, including filling, root canals, and even implants.

2. Use A Flexible Spending Account

If your employer offers a flexible spending account, or FSA, as a health care option, it may pay off to add it to your overall insurance plan. An FSA typically can cover most medical and dental costs and works through employees contributing to it through their paycheck.

If you don’t have an FSA set up quite yet, it may be a possibility to put off a dental payment until you enroll in an FSA plan during the benefits period at your place of employment. An FSA is particularly helpful for treatments that are not covered by regular dental insurance.

3. In-House Financing

Many dental practices may offer to finance in-house — all you need to do is ask. Depending on the practice and your standing as a long-time patient, dental costs can potentially be spread out in installments or paid by first having a down payment and then paying the remaining later. The possibility of in-house financing depends on the overall bill and the procedure.

4. Financing Through A Health Card

If in-house financing isn’t an option, you can cover unexpected dental costs with a healthcare credit card. The way this card works is it lets you cover costs by paying monthly fees. The most common is CareCredit, which is accepted by more than 125,000 healthcare providers. Many prominent dental associations endorse this card. Some healthcare cards, like the Citi Health Card, can also double as traditional credit cards for other purchases.

5. Pursue Dental Grants

There are also official grants designed to assist with high dental costs. With this option, there are a few caveats you need to keep in mind. Dental grants usually come with a range of qualifications, and some are offered only for specific circumstances. For example, the Give Back a Smile program covers women who suffer dental injuries from domestic abuse.

Many of these grants also have long waiting periods, often as high as several months. So this is something to keep in mind when considering this option. On the plus side, dental grants are especially valuable for those who are dealing with exceptionally expensive dental care.

 

emergency dental work

 

6. Use A 401(k) Plan

Some decide to cover dental costs by borrowing against a 401(k), especially if the cost of their dental bill is very high. This approach can expedite things since the loan is usually processed quickly. However, you’ll be refunding your 401(k) over time via payroll deductions; and if you leave your job for any reason, the remaining loan is immediately due back in full.

7. Try A Dental School

If you must get a pricey procedure done, consider undergoing treatment at a reputable dental school. Students are supervised by professionals and faculty members and many of the treatments will come at either low cost or no cost. Be sure to check for a school with a dental health center that is federally qualified – which most are.

8. Get An Auto Title Loan

Many people are also turning to personal loans to cover dental costs big and small. For those who qualify, an auto title loan can go a long way to help pay off most dental expenses. Some may even cover your entire bill. At Nevada Title and Payday Loans, Inc., you may qualify for an auto title loan of up to $15,000 in as little as 30 minutes.

Title loans use your vehicle’s lien-free title as collateral for a loan to be paid off over time. Those who qualify can get the cash either the same day they start the process or the very next business day. Simply fill out the auto title loan inquiry form on our website and one of our friendly loan representatives from the nearest Nevada loan location will give you a call.

Get Your Dental Costs Paid Off

High, unexpected dental bills can be difficult to address quickly and easily. This is where our options can really help you out. And if you need cash even quicker, an auto title loan from Nevada Title and Payday Loans, Inc. is a valid option. Just fill out the online form, give us a call, or visit one of our many store locations near you to get started on the process.

Note: The content provided in this article is only for informational purposes, and you should contact your financial advisor about your specific financial situation.

Emma Frost

Emma Frost is a lifestyle and finance blogger with a talent for communication and a passion for financial literacy. She uses her writing talents to explore topics that help her readers gain financial stability and growth.