Category Archives: Affordable Dental Care

Why Dental Treatment Is So Expensive

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I read an article last week titled “Why Your Dentist Costs So Much”… and I thought I’d write a quick blog from a dentist’s point of view as to why it’s so expensive to get dental treatment. I agreed with many of the points I found in the article, so I borrowed their basic titles.

1. Dental care is not a commodity
Dentistry is not like buying socks or going to the grocery store. It’s a highly technical profession integrating art and science. Dental school for students is a four-year program, post-undergraduate. This is the same amount of time it takes a medical student to receive an MD. In addition to that, the price one pays to go to dental school has become astronomical, especially considering that few if any students have time to work while in school, so the loans they accrue must include their price of living. Depending on what city they’re in, this can add a substantial amount to their overall price to become a dentist. It takes many dentists 30 years to pay off all their loans!! It’s a high price to pay to become a dentist.

2. Overhead costs are huge
On average, anywhere from 55%-80% of what a patient pays goes towards the expense of what it costs to run a modern dental office. The materials, instruments, rent or mortgage, computers, machines, costs for licenses, insurance, payroll for hygienists, assistants, office managers, receptionists; it all adds up very quickly. Many people would be shocked at the cost it takes to run a practice and at the very small margin of profit that dentist’s benefit from. And then consider all that, plus loans!

3. Lab Fees
On top of the overhead, dentists have to pay lab fees to a lab for the fabrication of many fixed and removable dental appliances. This includes fees for crowns, dentures, partials, night guards, etc. While some dental labs may offer cheap prices for crown fabrication, this does not mean that the crown is of high quality. And while fees may vary based on regional location, they’re never “cheap”. For instance, a fee for a crown from a lab can cost the dentist up to $500.

4. Dental Insurance is much different from Medical Insurance
Most dental insurance companies tend to just be a maintenance plan, covering the cost of exams, x-rays, and cleanings but requiring the patient to pay 20-50% of any restorative work like fillings or crowns. In addition to that, most people’s maximum annual benefit is around $1000, meaning once the patient has had enough work to reach that maximum, the patient is required to pay 100% of the remaining work to be done. Most people expect their dental insurance coverage to be much better than what it is, or to be similar to their medical coverage. I’ve seen many patients shocked and even angry at their insurance when they realize that they will have to pay a substantial amount to get all the work they need done.

Side note: Most dentists do what they do because they love it. And we want you to care about your teeth. Your teeth are not only a significant part of your appearance but also your health. Studies are released everyday linking severe gum and bone disease such as periodontitis to other health problems like heart disease. If you have an active infection in your mouth, it’s important to get it treated. Bottom line? Find a dentist you can trust, and one that cares for your overall health.

Related Articles:

How to Afford Dental Treatment With Ease
Why Your Dentist Costs So Much

How to afford dental treatment with ease

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“Every tooth in a man’s head is more valuable than a diamond.”
-Miguel de Cervantes, Don Quixote, 1605

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard a patient say, “I’d love to do all the treatment, but I just can’t afford it.” In the most recent ADA News an article was written offering tips to practices on how to assist patient’s and their financing. So, how can our office and other offices help people afford their treatment in these trying economic times?

1. Offer more payment options
Most practices accept credit cards and more than 65% offer a third-party financing program. Offering patients payment plans allows them to get the healthcare they need, in order to rid their bodies of infection and eat and live comfortably with healthy teeth or fitted prosthetics. Cindy Hearn, vice president of the financing program CareCredit says, “Patients appreciate being offered a variety of payment options that allows them to choose the one that best fits their lifestyle and financial needs, especially in today’s economic environment.” I have found this to be true in my experience as well. Patients want to take care of their teeth and oral health, and this allows them some breathing room to be able to set up a financial plan to do so.
CareCredit seems to be the most common third-party financing program, and is the only payment plan endorsed by the ADA Business Resources. Many practices have utilized CareCredit for years in order to better assist their patients. The allure to CareCredit, besides its prestigious endorsement by the ADA, is their gentle and fair approach to patients. Their reporting process is reliable and easy to understand, alleviating patient’s stress. (Our office is currently a provider for CareCredit, for more information please see the end of this post.)

2. Put patients at ease
It’s important for dentists and their staff to fully educate the patient on their needed treatment and the prices that accompany it. In addition, if the office offers various payment plans, the patient should be made aware of these plans in order to assist them in paying for their treatment. The best way to do this is to give the patient a written financial policy prior to any treatment. It is then wise to discuss the treatment fee’s and payment options with the patient, to work together to create a plan and schedule. At my office this is top priority, and we always strive to work together with the patient. A dental office should be a caring compassionate environment where the doctor, staff and patient can all work together to provide the patient with the best treatment possible. We don’t want the patient to be surprised with any fees they were unaware of before treatment commences.

3. Patient payment program
Offering the patient CareCredit or other financing options, like holding their credit card for monthly withdrawals can be helpful for patients. In addition to CareCredit, my office also offers EPS90: a 90 day no credit check EZ payment plan. This can help those patients that may have questionable credit and would prefer to utilize a no credit check financing plan.

For more information as to what payment plans my office offers, or to schedule, visit the following page for our office info: Services and Scheduling