| From your wallet to your mouth itself, going to | | | | your discount dental plan or insurance. Scheduling |
| the dentist can be a real pain. Most people do not | | | | your follow-up appointment right away will |
| enjoy visits to the dentist office and put them | | | | eliminate any procrastination, so determine with |
| off for as long as possible. However, delaying | | | | your dental office the right time for your next |
| your dentist visit can often lead to more | | | | appointment, and do not cancel if possible. |
| extensive work to get your mouth in shape, and | | | | 6. Know what you will be charged. The best price |
| to more exorbitant costs for difficult procedures - | | | | breakdown will come from your dental office's |
| not to mention if you have to see a specialist! | | | | assistant - that information will include possible lab |
| Feel stressed? Do not give in to that feeling -- | | | | fees or items that may not be mentioned on a |
| you can win at the dentist! Here are 10 tips to | | | | discount dental plan fee schedule or on an |
| prepare you to see the dentist stress-free. Follow | | | | insurance pricing tier. However, you can typically |
| these tips to ensure your budget and your mouth | | | | access pricing information online from your |
| feel the benefits! | | | | discount dental plan or insurance. |
| 1. Research dentists in your area. Find dentist | | | | 7. Investigate Care Credit. If you need a |
| reviews online and talk to your friends about | | | | procedure that is still unaffordable after applying |
| dentists they trust. Then call the offices you are | | | | your insurance or discount dental plan, investigate |
| interested in to find out if they accept your | | | | purchasing Care Credit. Care Credit allows you to |
| insurance, or, if you do not have insurance, find | | | | present its card to purchase the dental |
| out what discount dental plan they accept. | | | | procedures you need - then you can make |
| 2. Visit a general dentist. When you call various | | | | payments on it like you would for a credit card. |
| dentists, ask if the dentist is considered a general | | | | Find out if your dentist offers a payment plan or |
| dentist, and ask if he or she performs more | | | | if they take Care Credit. |
| complex procedures such as root canals, | | | | 8. If you are nervous, then take your mp3 player. |
| periodontal work or orthodontia. These | | | | If you fear the experience of a dentist working in |
| procedures will be much less expensive at a | | | | your mouth, bring an mp3 player to shut out the |
| general dentist, and they are typically discounted | | | | noise and to focus your mind on something else - |
| even more substantially if you have a discount | | | | but do not forget, no dancing in the dentist chair! |
| dental plan or insurance. | | | | 9. Floss and brush at home. Once you have |
| 3. Purchase a discount dental plan. Even if you do | | | | completed your initial appointments and your |
| not have insurance, you can still receive help with | | | | mouth is back in shape, be sure to practice |
| your dental bill by purchasing a discount dental | | | | proper dental hygiene at home. Brush twice a |
| plan. These plans are often available immediately | | | | day; floss after meals, and swish mouthwash daily |
| to significantly reduce the cost of your dental | | | | to go the extra mile! Prevention is truly the best |
| work. However, if you already have insurance for | | | | medicine. |
| your dentistry, you may choose to stick with | | | | 10. Attend regular cleaning and exam |
| that. | | | | appointments. After surviving a possibly tough |
| 4. Plan for an exam and cleaning. On your first | | | | round of dentist visits, it is tempting to fall back |
| dental visit, plan to pay for an exam and a | | | | into the bad habit of avoiding visiting your dentist. |
| cleaning. Your first exam will typically include | | | | However, the best way to avoid a huge dental bill |
| x-rays at an additional cost, so be prepared to | | | | in the future is to see your dentist regularly to |
| pay for those as well. After your initial exam, | | | | address any minor dental problems as they arise - |
| your dentist will let you know if you need to | | | | rather than waiting for a dental problem to bring |
| return for additional fillings, root canals or | | | | your life to a painful halt. |
| periodontal work. | | | | Visiting your dentist does not have to be a losing |
| 5. Set up a follow-up appointment. Schedule your | | | | situation. Understanding your costs for dental |
| follow up appointment for a time when you will | | | | work, making plans to save money, and using |
| have the money to pay for your next visit. The | | | | tools to calm your nerves will allow you to win at |
| nurse can walk you through how much you will be | | | | the dentist! |
| charged on your next visit according to your to | | | | |