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Going to the doctor isn’t like shopping for clothes — you can’t just wait for a sale to get what you want for cheaper. Of course, your child’s dental visits are much more vital than buying that new sweater you’ve had your eye on, but they’re also more expensive. Every parent wants to get the best care for their child, but staying on budget while footing the dentist’s bill can be challenging. Luckily, there are tactics for how to save money at the dentist. Here are some of the most effective ways to shave a few bucks off of those bills.

Reconsider Your Dental Insurance Benefits

Many employers don’t offer dental insurance, and that makes the choice of whether or not to sign up a difficult choice. Regular dental care is of the utmost importance, but dental insurance may not be the best way to get there. It may seem counterintuitive, but opting out of dental insurance may be one of the simplest ways of how to save money at the dentist.

Before you change your dental insurance, talk to your dentist about the prices and fees associated with the procedures that you and your children have undergone. If the costs of these procedures adds up to less than what you are (or would be) paying annually for dental insurance, it may be in your best interest to pay out of pocket instead. To keep yourself accountable, deposit the costs of your child’s usual routine visits into a dedicated account so that money will only be used for the dentist.

Of course, you may find that your services and fees add up to more than what you pay (or would pay) for dental insurance, especially if your child has had to undergo more complex procedures like root canals or fillings. In that case, the best way of how to save money at the dentist will be keeping your dental insurance or signing up for membership if you’re not enrolled.

If you’re on Medicaid, children’s dental care should be covered, so make sure to take advantage of those benefits.

Sign Up for a Dental Savings Plan

If it turns out that dental insurance isn’t for you, a dental savings plan is another way of how to save money at the dentist. A dental savings plan is like a dental membership club where you pay a small annual fee that’s usually much lower than the cost of a dental insurance plan. Participating dentists will give you a discount of 10% to 60% on all services.

Stick to General Dentistry When Possible

Often, patients can be lured into seeing a specialist dentist when they don’t really need to. Because of their specific skills, specialists usually carry high price tags for their services. Unless your dentist specifically recommends that your child see a specialist, there’s no need to pay those prices. General dentists can perform most common dental procedures at a fraction of the cost of specialists.

At Children’s Dentistry, we offer a complete range of dental services at each of our locations, including sedation dentistry and orthodontics, so you don’t need to make a separate appointment with a specialist.

Practice Proper Oral Hygiene

It may seem cliche, but it’s true: the best way of how to save money at the dentist is to keep your child’s teeth and gums as healthy as possible by practicing good oral hygiene. Your child should visit the dentist biannually for routine cleanings, and these cleanings will help keep teeth healthy and prevent any long-term, serious issues. Children with healthy teeth won’t have to undergo procedures like root canals that can rack up serious dental bills. In addition to regular dental visits, make sure that your child brushes their teeth twice a day, flosses once a day, and eats a balanced, nutritious diet.

Ask About Promotions

Before you go to the dentist, be sure to check the website and call the office to inquire about any current promotions or discounts they may be running. At Children’s Dentistry, we often have great promotions available – so check out our Promotions page and give us a call to learn more!

Start Saving on Dentistry Today

There’s nothing wrong with trying to be economical when you can be. If you’re looking for ways of how to save money at the dentist, there are likely more options than you previously considered. Reevaluating your dental insurance, looking into dental savings plans, talking with your dentist, and sticking to general dentists are all simple but effective ways to reduce costs.

Of course, practicing good oral hygiene is the real key to saving on dental costs. Healthy teeth will require fewer costly procedures, though regular dental cleanings are still a must. Make sure you child gets in for their biannual dental check up. Schedule an appointment with Children’s Dentistry today, and save some money tomorrow.