Need denistry work, but no insurance

[soulcougher73]

Ill agree with those who said Dental Schools. I know people who use them and its a cheap option and the work is good enough for the price.

 

[AreaCode707]

Dental school. It will be low cost or free, everything is closely supervised by experts even if it is done by students, and it should fit your needs nicely.

[edit] Just saw in your location that you're in my neck of the woods temporarily. Are you interning for one of the tech companies in the area or something?

Check out these options. It may take a while to find one that will accept you since many are targeted towards low-income families, but worth a try anyway.
http://www.freemedicalcamps.com/vcamp.php?cityid=448

 

[MotionMan]

I cannot believe that no one has mentioned dental schools!

Weird.

MotionMan

 

[marsbound2024]

Hey man I am really sorry to hear that you don't have insurance. This is something that constantly perturbs me about the United States--healthcare. The fact that our country has probably one of the most expensive (if not the most expensive) healthcare systems in the world is really disheartening and disappointing. Hopefully you can utilize the advice you received here--such as dental schools--to resolve your dental problems.

 

[spidey07]

Hey man I am really sorry to hear that you don't have insurance. This is something that constantly perturbs me about the United States--healthcare. The fact that our country has probably one of the most expensive (if not the most expensive) healthcare systems in the world is really disheartening and disappointing. Hopefully you can utilize the advice you received here--such as dental schools--to resolve your dental problems.

Except you know nothing of what you speak. This is dental INSURANCE. OP is free to not have insurance just as he is free to pay for dental SERVICES.

OP CHOOSES not to have insurance. Damn our liberty! Freedom has consequences.

 

[marsbound2024]

Except you know nothing of what you speak. This is dental INSURANCE. OP is free to not have insurance just as he is free to pay for dental SERVICES.

OP CHOOSES not to have insurance. Damn our liberty!

Some people are in a financial predicament where they must choose between paying for insurance or paying for food and other necessities. Now the OP has internet access somehow, so this may not be his case, but nonetheless I am sympathetic. Your comment about me not knowing anything about what I speak is just silly. It is in my opinion that healthcare should be free. Simple as that. Just as primary education is free, the police is free, etc (well paid via taxes). Healthcare should not be for profit in any sense. Just my two cents, feel free to disagree.

If you do disagree, this isn't the thread to do so. But I wanted to throw out a response to what you wrote.

 

[AreaCode707]

Some people are in a financial predicament where they must choose between paying for insurance or paying for food and other necessities. Now the OP has internet access somehow, so this may not be his case, but nonetheless I am sympathetic. Your comment about me not knowing anything about what I speak is just silly. It is in my opinion that healthcare should be free. Simple as that. Just as primary education is free, the police is free, etc (well paid via taxes). Healthcare should not be for profit in any sense. Just my two cents, feel free to disagree.

If you do disagree, this isn't the thread to do so. But I wanted to throw out a response to what you wrote.

There is no such thing as free. What you mean to say is that healthcare costs should be covered by the taxpayers.

 

[zinfamous]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJ67tmPv1-A

 

[marsbound2024]

There is no such thing as free. What you mean to say is that healthcare costs should be covered by the taxpayers.

Yes, that is correct. The nuances of such a comment did not seem relevant to me. I am in favor of a system like Canada's but with some changes to better suit the United States.

By the way, I did put in parentheses (well paid via taxes).

 

[tokie]

Yes, that is correct. The nuances of such a comment did not seem relevant to me. I am in favor of a system like Canada's but with some changes to better suit the United States.

By the way, I did put in parentheses (well paid via taxes).

Well, you clearly don't understand Canada's system. Here, dental is completely private and you still need insurance etc. As for the OP, $100+ seems a bit expensive for a standard cleaning unless it includes x-rays. A regular cleaning should be ~$60. Keep in mind that regular dental visits and cleanings work out to be cheaper than getting a $4000 bill for major tooth surgery later in life.

If you do need serious dental work done though (in the 1000's of $), go to Costa Rica and get it done.

 

[Leros]

Who do your friends go to?

I'm in a different city for the summer interning. My friends here all have amazing super magic insurance. I, the poor intern in graduate school, do not have insurance. And no, I get no insurance through my school.

I'm getting stuff taken care of now because I just got paid and can finally afford to get my teeth taken care of.

[edit] Just saw in your location that you're in my neck of the woods temporarily. Are you interning for one of the tech companies in the area or something?

Yup.

 

[marsbound2024]

Well, you clearly don't understand Canada's system. Here, dental is completely private and you still need insurance etc. As for the OP, $100+ seems a bit expensive for a standard cleaning unless it includes x-rays. A regular cleaning should be ~$60. Keep in mind that regular dental visits and cleanings work out to be cheaper than getting a $4000 bill for major tooth surgery later in life.

If you do need serious dental work done though (in the 1000's of $), go to Costa Rica and get it done.

Thanks for the clarification. I'm sure it's still better than the US regardless.

 

[I Saw OJ]

 

[xrax]

Mexico?

 

[Leros]

Mexico?

My dad got some stuff done in Mexico. He said it was more advanced better care for about 1/4 the cost compared to the the family dentist we have back home.

I guess I'll see if we have any dental schools around here.

Edit: Looks like they charge fees "similar to those of private dentists in the community" for normal dental work. They do cheaper stuff but only for longer term (year-ish) long stuff.
http://www.dental.washington.edu/patientcare/patientcare_index.php

 

[Wreckem]

The initial $100 should cover your 4 bite wing xrays and 1 panoramic xray. They should also give you a list of everything you need done and the corresponding prices. The initial visit will NOT be a cleaning. That will likely be scheduled for several weeks or months out depending on the practice client load/size of practice/number of dental hygienists. Cleanings cost $35-75. Upwards of $150-$200 if you need a full scale cleaning after not having had one in a long time(for me it was a decade).

As long as you just need fillings it won't be expensive. Getting 5 fillings done at the same time is pretty cheap. A root canal on the other hand is $750-1250 depending where you live, and that only includes the root canal, no crown. A porcelain crown will run $500-750(total with two appointments and core build up).

Hope you already had your wisdom teeth out. That gets costly real fast even with insurance, unless they came in perfect in which case you don't really need them removed.

 

[Leros]

The initial $100 should cover your 4 bite wing xrays and 1 panoramic xray. They should also give you a list of everything you need done and the corresponding prices. The initial visit will NOT be a cleaning. That will likely be scheduled for several weeks or months out depending on the practice client load/size of practice/number of dental hygienists. Cleanings cost $35-75. Upwards of $150-$200 if you need a full scale cleaning after not having had one in a long time(for me it was a decade).

As long as you just need fillings it won't be expensive. Getting 5 fillings done at the same time is pretty cheap. A root canal on the other hand is $750-1250 depending where you live, and that only includes the root canal, no crown. A porcelain crown will run $500-750(total with two appointments and core build up).

Hope you already had your wisdom teeth out. That gets costly real fast even with insurance, unless they came in perfect in which case you don't really need them removed.

Hmm. Haven't had a cleaning in 5 years.

I have one teeth where I can see 3 cavities. I imagine there are more I can't see.

 

[Corporate Thug]

I pay less than $20 a month for myself and spouse (basically $10 per person) and our 2x per year cleanings are covered and 80% of anything else. Its a pretty good trade off considering if we only go once for a cleaning in the year it covers the yearly cost.

80% of anything else? lol. Tell me how much they cover next time you need a crown. I pay about $13.50 a month for just myself and it covers the most basic stuff (preventative care).

Cavities are $25/$30/$35 (1/2/3 surfaces).

It isn't bad considering how cheap it is, but I'd like to see a $20 policy that covers 80% of anything else.

 

[misle]

For cheap work, definitely look for a local dental school, there's probably one associated with UT. About 10 years ago, when I was a poor college student, I went to the Kansas City Dental School. My dentist at the school was in her last year and was very professional. And cute too.

 

[Bignate603]

Thanks for the clarification. I'm sure it's still better than the US regardless.

Why would it be any better? It's not covered so people pay out of pocket or have insurance. I'd imagine it would work out the to be about the same.

I have family in Denmark where medical is covered by the state and dental is covered for kids. Do you know what happens when people no longer get free dental care? NOBODY goes to the doctor. The adults have horrible dental problems because they won't go if they have to pay for it themselves. The only time they'll go to a dentist is when they've got some horrible pain they can't live with. In many ways I don't see how their dental system is any better.

 

[Wreckem]

Hmm. Haven't had a cleaning in 5 years.

I have one teeth where I can see 3 cavities. I imagine there are more I can't see.

Can you see white looking buildup on the backs of you front bottom teeth? If not you probably just need a basic cleaning.

 

[Leros]

Can you see white looking buildup on the backs of you front bottom teeth? If not you probably just need a basic cleaning.

I've got some stuff like that.

 

[ChaiBabbaChai]

You don't want a cheap dentist, you might end up with needing a root canal ($1000+) if they mess up the drilling. I just paid $229 something to have a small cavity filled here in Northern California. It's not worth it for me to get insurance, and that particular dentist won't work with patients who have a single insurance plan, only family plans or cash. He's a greedy bastard, and he caused my friend to need a root canal after he worked on her cavity for cash. Some people need cleaning every 6 months, I don't, I'm lucky. It just has to do with genetics and how you took care of yourself (teeth) over the years.

The community college here has a dental program where they do cleanings for like $40 or something, but I wouldn't let those rookies touch my teeth with anything harder than a pair of lips.

 

[geno]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJ67tmPv1-A

What... Why?

 

[geno]

BTW : OP, here you go :

The solution to your problem