Going to the dentist can be costly if you don’t have insurance – especially if you need some expensive work done. Dental financing makes going to the dentist more affordable by spreading out payments over a long period.
If you need to have an expensive procedure done, it’s important to know what dental financing is and how it can help you. This can be especially important if you’re not currently covered by dental insurance. Here’s what you need to know about dental financing:
Personal Loans
Dental procedures can be paid for with personal loans. Lenders can often be found online. When searching for lenders, take into consideration:
- Lender credibility. Not all lenders are trustworthy. Consider how long the lender has been in business, awards the lender may have won, and other factors before deciding whether a lender is right for you.
- Payment terms. How much will you be paying to the lender each month? Get a firm amount and be sure it fits in your budget.
- Life of the loan. How long will you be repaying your loan? Loans that have a longer life may cost you more money in the long run due to interest. Find out how much you’ll end up paying the lender over the life of the loan before deciding whether that loan is right for you.
Shop around for different lenders. Ask your dentist for recommendations, especially if you have concerns about the lenders that you’re finding online.
Medical Credit Card
Medical credit cards are credit cards that can only be used to pay for certain medical expenses. They don’t work for every procedure, and not all medical care providers accept them. Find out if your dentist will accept medical credit cards and if so, which ones. Be sure that the dental procedure that you have coming up will be eligible for such an expense. Medical credit cards can’t be used for all medical expenses.
Some medical credit cards offer 0% APR. Shop around to find a card with a good introductory offer, and then work to get the balance paid off before the APR changes.
Medical credit cards are a good way to get longer-term financing for your medical expenses – if you find a card with a good offer. Don’t accept the first offer you find. Keep searching until you find a medical credit card that has terms that are fair and reasonable, and more competitive than the other offers available.
Regular Credit Card
Many dentists will accept regular credit cards. These cards have no limitations on the types of procedures they can be used to pay for. Like a medical credit card, if you can get a new credit card with a 0% introductory APR and pay off the balance before the APR changes, then you won’t have to pay extra money to finance your procedure. Be sure your dental office will accept credit cards before applying though.
Direct Financing
Some dental offices offer direct financing. If approved, you can use this financing option to make payments for your dental procedures. At Weninger Dentistry, we don’t want costs to get in the way of your dental health. We offer a range of financing options. To learn more, check out our financing page, or contact us with questions.