Finding the right dentist for you can be difficult. You need to find one that is within your budget, skilled, amicable, and any number of other things.  You want to find a dentist that won't break the bank. This can be somewhat difficult, especially because it might seem that prices are pretty much universal for various procedures, such as root canals or cleanings.

To make the process of searching easier, here is a brief list which breaks down how to find an affordable dentist.

Scams

On one hand, it is important to be wary of dentists offering extremely cheap services. If it seems too good to be true, it just might be. You don't want subpar dental work which can break or worse, so make sure to check the legitimacy of any dentists offering amazing deals.

Paying in installments

The key to finding a professional dentist (such as Thomas J Merten, DDS) is to ask about payment plans. You might pay a little more overall, but the process of paying will certainly be easier on your budget. Make sure to ask about financing, either from a lender or the private practice itself.

Private practice alternatives

There are also quite a few locations which offer cheap, legitimate dental services, such as dental schools, clinics, charities, or clinical trials.

  • Dental schools: at these locations, you will get dental work from students under supervision by their teachers. These prospective dentists may be less experienced than private practices, but you can rest assured that you will receive quality dental care.
  • Clinics: these can be either extremely cheap or entirely free, depending on the location. They are generally found in lower-income areas
  • Charities: part of outreach programs by dental associations. You might need to provide proof of economic need to receive dental work
  • Clinical trials: when new methods or drugs are being tested, you might be able to apply as a test subject. There might be side effects, but you should be thoroughly informed of any potential risks while receiving dental care at a lower rate

Insurance

One of the most important tips, yet one that is easy to overlook, is to check what your insurance provider is willing to cover. If they are willing to cover a large percentage of your dental work fees, then you might not need any financing.

However, if they are unwilling to help out very much, then you don't want to get stiffed with a bill where your insurance paid less than 10%.

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