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We strive to make dentistry as affordable as possible without sacrificing high-quality care. We go to great lengths at Smile Design Dentistry to ensure our patients are aware of expenses prior to exams and procedures, so we are always here to answer any questions about payment for services. We want your dental experience to be comfortable and simple, and that means not stressing about payments.
You can pay for dental services at Smile Design Dentistry with debit card, credit card, or personal check. If you have a dental benefits plan that helps cover our services, we will help you maximize the use of your benefits. If you do not have a benefits plan, ask us about our payment plan options.
In the case of extensive dentistry that needs to be paid over time, we can assist you in applying for a no-interest payment plan with a third-party credit company, dependent on your credit rating. Our no-interest credit options include plans through:
If you have a low credit score on your report, you know it can be an uphill battle when paying medical bills. When it comes time to finance your dental costs, many companies reject applicants based on these low scores. Those that do accept applications will sometimes charge hefty down payments, or limit how much a patient can borrow. If your credit score is low, financing options that don’t require a credit check are ideal.
There are many companies that provide financing for medical costs, including dental work. Some are peer-to-peer lenders while others work directly with banks. Maximum loan amounts often range from $40k to $100k, depending on your credit score, and loan terms typically range from 24-84 months.
Some lenders have additional origination fees and nearly all have an APR of 2.49% or above (some are as high as 35.99%). You’ll want to shop around for the lender that best matches your financial capabilities and needs. Pay careful attention to credit score requirements: Some lenders are comfortable with a poor score, but others demand good or excellent scores.
We accept most discount and insurance plans — including payments from most PPO and indemnity plans. Please call your local Smile Design Dentistry office for a complimentary benefits check.
The American Dental Association recommends that you visit your dentist at least once a year for routine exams and cleanings. However, if you suffer from repeated periodontal diseases, or chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease, you may need to visit your dentist more frequently. Dental insurance for seniors is particularly important due to an increased risk of infection and disease.
Dental insurance carriers want you to have these visits, because they prevent many problems from developing down the road. Full coverage dental insurance focuses on prevention. Many preventative services like check-ups and routine cleanings are covered at 100% by dental insurance carriers. Without insurance, you can pay hundreds of dollars out of pocket each year for dentistry that you could easily plan for.
In fact, it’s estimated that for every $1 you spend on preventative care, you save $50 on expensive treatments in the future. Preventable oral diseases, left untreated, result in 2.1 million emergency room visits each year nationwide. The best dental insurance can save you thousands of dollars in the long run.
The short answer is: It depends. Medical insurance that includes dental benefits is more limited, and may only cover preventative (100% covered) and basic restorative care (80% covered). It all depends what kind of insurance you have.
Direct dental plans, on the other hand, sometimes cover endodontics, oral surgeries, orthodontics, and prosthodontics. Some even cover periodontics, including implant placement. A waiting period and/or referral may be required for these major procedures and, if insurance covers them, it tends to cover about 50% of the cost.
To learn how to get dental implants covered by insurance, be sure you review the details of your dental insurance, speak with your insurance provider, or call your local Smile Design Dentistry office for a complimentary benefits check.
Smile Design dentists and specialists provide a full range of dental services throughout Florida. Patients may be interested in these online resources to learn more about oral health care from a variety of professional groups.