Much like most things, dental treatment is not cheap. This is often the reason why a person fails to treat an oral condition; fearful of costs they can ill-afford. The problem with this approach is that treatment costs more in the advanced stages. Early treatment is always going to be the cheapest solution.
Adopt a good oral hygiene routine
You should be following best practices regarding oral hygiene, which should include:
- Brush after every meal & before and after sleep
- Floss correctly after every brush
- Use of antiseptic mouthwash
- Using the mouthwash after snacking or drinking alcohol
After a few months, this regime should be second nature. Don’t forget to always bring a small bottle of mouthwash with you when you are out and about.
Bulk billing
If you find a bulk billing dentist Gold Coast for adults service, for example, you can spread the cost and have the treatment when you need it. Many dental clinics are bulk billing agents. You can easily check on their website. This would cover most types of dental treatment. The definition of bulk billing is the healthcare provider approaches the patient’s healthcare insurer directly, meaning you don’t have to worry, simply swipe your card and you are good to go.
Dental payment plans
Most dental practices offer their patients a payment plan. To qualify, you need to:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a citizen of the country
- Be currently in employment
- Have no credit court settlements against you
If you are in need of immediate dental treatment, lack of funds should not be a reason to wait. By using the dental clinic’s payment plan, you can go ahead and have the dental implants that you need. Dental practices obviously want to find ways their patients can find treatment.
Health funds
If you have a health fund, this would cover the majority of dental treatment. For example, in Australia, typical providers would include:
- BUPA
- HCF
- NIB
If you are with one of the above, check that your dentist accepts your provider and then you are covered. Your dentist would help you to find a way to fund any dental treatment that you need. If the cost is a primary reason to postpone, you need to resolve the issue.
Check your health insurance
By reading the terms & conditions of your health insurance, you will discover the extent of your cover. Of course, there are many types of policies that cover different aspects and that might include emergency dental treatment. We should all take out private health insurance, which covers you for a lot of scenarios. Search online for a leading health & medical insurance broker and browse the many policies. They have special family policies that provide comprehensive cover for you and your family.
The importance of regular dental check-ups cannot be overstated. If you see your dentist every 6 months, any potential issues can be nipped in the bud. Most dentist offer a range of bulk billing options to help with the cost of dental treatment so there’s nothing to worry about.