Family Dental Coverage
Many parents appreciate the importance of oral care but are unable to pay the high cost of dentist visits on their own. If you are a parent or care-giver who is committed to finding the care vital for the health of your child’s teeth at a price you can afford, take heart. There are a number of treatment and dental coverage options that may be worth pursuing.
First, if your income is very low, your child may be eligible for dental benefits under Medicaid. Although it is important to recognize that coverage can vary from one state to another, Medicaid will pay for most routine and emergency procedures for children up to 21 years old. The downside is that it can often be difficult to find a dentist who takes Medicaid. To find out more, consult your local family services office.
Under the supervision of fully licensed professionals, students often provide routine cleanings, fillings, and examinations as part of their training. Although the student working on your child’s teeth will not be a fully licensed dentist, the cost of this care is only a fraction of what you would pay at a traditional practice.
In some cities, you can also find so-called “charity clinics” that provide low cost oral care. These are staffed by dentists committed to seeing that the under-served population has a way to receive treatment. In the case of both schools of dentistry and charity clinics, waiting times can be very long.
Many families seek out traditional PPO and HMO dental plans to try to cut the cost of their dentistry. However, in this rough economy many employers are dropping these plans as dentists’ prices are still rising. You may want to consult your local insurance agent to see if these plans are available, but bear in mind that these companies are structured to receive more money from you in premiums than they pay out in claims.
Discount Plans are another option – alternatives to traditional insurance in which many dentists agree to reduce prices to provide children and families with quality care for a low monthly fee. Though a large number of dentists accept this plan, you made need to switch if your current dentist is not in-network. You may want to Google search to investigate the options in your area.
Whichever option you choose, remember there is no better way to lay a foundation for your kids’ lifelong oral health than premium care when they need it, at a price you can afford.
