Those of you who dont have health insurance..

Im a bit scared..about 1 week now my upper gum has become a little bit swollen..like a very small ball with pus.. I am not experiencing any pain its just a little annoying...but heres my question...do you know on average how much a visit to the dentist is? Any idea of what they will do? HOw much it will cost? What questions should I ask the receptionist when I call w/o insurance?

Re: Those of you who dont have health insurance..

I didn't have dental for a few years but I got the GE Wellness Dental Plan online- its like $125 for the year and you get a pretty good discount on dental. Call and ask if they accept that- you might just save more than you'd pay for the plan. My aunt works in a dentist office and she suggested it to me when i got my wisdom teeth pulled. I got the plan and a week later I had them pulled and at oral surgeons office- I ended up saving almost $500


GOOD LUCK- Feel Better

Re: Those of you who dont have health insurance..

My dentist gives me a great price for check-ups because I don't have insurance and have been going to him for years. Last I went I paid $65. I would just tell the receptionist you don't have insurance and will be paying out of pocket and need to know how much a check up costs. They have to be able to give you that price since it is based on a visit.

Message edited 8/26/2008 10:17:29 PM.

Re: Those of you who dont have health insurance..

Call whatever office it is that you intend on visiting. Explain to them your situation, etc. Ask if there is a clinic that they can recommend that you go to so you dont get a crazy bill.

I know there is one I am just not sure where exactly it is.

Re: Those of you who dont have health insurance..

Thank you so much ladies! You are always soo helpful LIke I said..Im not in pain but I dont want it to end up worse if I dont treat it. I will def. start calling around and see whats out there. Thanks again!

Re: Those of you who dont have health insurance..

This just happened to me/currently is still happening. I had emergency visit on Saturday. Go to your regular dentist. That's what I did. He only charged me for the mouthwash stuff he gave me (would be more expensive at pharmacy with no insurance), he wrote me a prescription and charged me for the xray. Didn't charge me for the emergency visit.

Re: Those of you who dont have health insurance..

It sounds like you have an infection and that might mean you need a route canal. For me, I had a huge amount of dental work done this year and even for my route canals, temporary cap and then real cap....I probably paid about $600 even with insurance. Then I reached the max that my insurance covers and I owed another $850 or so. My dentist has been more than accommodating and I'm a new patient. She wouldn't send in claims until the work was done, put me on a payment plan without interest etc. I have to have this one route canal finished but I just can't bear the thought of laying out money like that again. I would call your dentist and tell them your situation and see if they can help you. I would just try to get that bubble looked at ASAP. I say that only because I didn't and it was a ***** once it really was infected. Good luck!

Re: Those of you who dont have health insurance..

Dentalplans.com have many discount plans that you can sign up for the year. Most of the times its for 18 months. Do find one that looks good and see if you dentist accepts. They put you on the plan the day you sign up.