Being on a budget can be difficult, especially if you have a lot of things that need to be done. Living in Canada, we enjoy free basic healthcare, but that doesn’t include dental coverage. That means, unless you have some type of dental insurance, you will need to pay for dental care out of your own pocket.
This is one reason why so many people avoid going to the dentist; they simply don’t believe they can afford.
In truth, following these four tips can actually help you budget and save money on your next dental visit without sacrificing your oral health.
Tip #1: Put away a little bit every week. Just putting aside five dollars a week, which is a large coffee at one of the major cafés throughout the city, can equal more than enough for a regular dental checkup and cleaning.
Tip #2: Discuss financial options with your dentist. Your dentist may rely on a sliding scale and charge less for people on a limited, fixed income. If that’s the case, you may find it possible to save money on your next visit.
Tip #3: Consider financing for major work. While you shouldn’t even consider the prospect of financing a regular checkup and cleaning, if you need a root canal or some other major dental work done, find a low interest loan and get the work done now rather than waiting. If you wait, it can cost you even more because more work may need to be done.
Tip #4: Calculate $20 into your monthly living budget. If you put five dollars aside every week, that is going to equal slightly more than $20 per month. Over time, this would help cover the costs of a regular dental visit, checkup, and cleaning.