NO INSURANCE? NO PROBLEM

In the last couple of columns I discussed how dental insurance works. If you missed them you can read them at www.thetowncommon.com. In this column, I will discuss the best strategies to get the dental care you need.

I hope the message was clear – you are not missing much if you don’t have dental insurance. Because of the way dental “insurance” is set up, having it is equivalent to a discount on certain items at a store. Just because you don’t have it, doesn’t mean you can’t choose something that fulfills a need or desire. While there may be a few reasons to consider purchasing an “insurance” policy on your own, it usually does not make sense.

One thing is certain; most dental problems do not go away, and almost always get worse over time. Although pain is a good indicator that there is a problem, pain is also not a good indicator that there is not a problem. Many, if not most, dental problems do not cause pain. Cavities, gum disease, wear or erosion of the teeth, often do not cause pain until there is a significant problem, which then requires extensive and more costly treatment to solve. Therefore, the first and most important strategy is regular dental visits.

All too often I see people who have not been seeing a dentist on a regular basis and then have a problem that brings them to the dental office. The most reported reasons for having not been to a dentist are lack of insurance or lack of concern because “everything has felt fine up until now”.

As in most things in life, we have to make choices about what to do with our time and our money. Dentistry is no different. It is a mindset and a budgeting issue. If you value your health, and specifically the sometimes taken for granted enjoyment of having a healthy set of teeth, regular maintenance visits to your dentist are the best thing you can do for yourself. If you have dental insurance you have no excuse! If you do not have dental insurance, budgeting the average $30 per month it costs over a year to have your teeth cleaned, x-rayed and examined is a smart move, and in most cases is less than the amount you would have paid in insurance premiums.

After you have made the decision to budget for maintenance, regardless of how much other dentistry you need, or think you need, the second key is to be in a dental office that you are comfortable with. It is vital for there to be a mutual level of trust and respect. It is imperative for the dental office to understand you, the patient; where you are in your life, and how to get the most important thing out of your decision to seek care – to keep your teeth healthy for your lifetime.

There are so many options out there for people who require more extensive care. However, the key is – what is suitable for you? Patients need to be guided into care and not sold a commodity.

When you go to buy a house, does the real estate agent show everyone the same house? No. They show them what fits into their life at that particular time. Dentistry should be approached the same way. It may not be the right time in your life to have the four bedroom house and the three car garage. But, having a good solid roof over your head that is comfortable is important to everyone. You can always upgrade.

Financing dental treatment has never been easier. Most dental offices offer many options allowing patients to get the care they need or want. Regardless of the care you need or whether you have insurance or not, if cost is a concern at all, discuss your concerns with your dentist and/or dental office financial coordinator. We are in this together and on your side.