It’s no secret that dental treatments can be a significant burden on the pocket. Many people avoid or delay these necessary procedures due to concerns about expensive dental treatments. This can lead to further oral health issues down the line, resulting in even higher expenses. At Smile Science Dental Spa in Glendale, AZ, we recognize these challenges and we’re committed to helping you navigate them.
Let us introduce ourselves. We are Dr. John Turke and Dr. Richard Dawson. We’re more than just dentists. We’re advocates for your oral health and financial well-being. We have dedicated ourselves to demystifying dental care and making it affordable for everyone.
Understanding Why Dental Procedures Can Be Expensive
Now, you might ask, why is dental care so expensive? There are a few key factors contributing to the costs, and we believe it’s important for you to understand them.
Labor costs: One of the primary costs of any dental practice is the team of professionals who take care of your teeth. From the dentists to the dental hygienists, the administrative staff, and beyond, their collective expertise forms the backbone of the practice. Their salaries form a significant portion of the overhead.
Marketing costs: To help people like you find us and understand how we can assist, we have to invest in marketing. This includes everything from maintaining a user-friendly website to running ads, or even working with influencers, all to spread the word about our services.
Equipment costs: Dental procedures require specific, often high-tech equipment. These tools ensure we can provide the best care possible. Unfortunately, such advanced machinery doesn’t come cheap, and those costs factor into the overall pricing of dental treatments.
Now, you may be wondering about the costs at Smile Science Dental Spa. As a young practice, we’ve made the decision to reinvest all profits back into the business to improve patient care. This means that, at this stage, we, Dr. John Turke and Dr. Richard Dawson, don’t take salaries. We’re committed to building a practice that can provide affordable and high-quality dental care to our community. We are also committed to hiring a team of experienced and qualified people to ensure our patients have the best possible experience.
The Financial Hurdles Patients Face
Moving on to the financial obstacles often encountered, we’ve found that many of our patients worry about how they will afford their dental treatments. This is a common concern, and it’s understandable. After all, oral health care is a necessity, not a luxury.
In particular, one factor that can significantly influence financing options is your credit score. Essentially, your credit score acts as a measure of your creditworthiness, based on your history of borrowing and repaying loans. The higher your credit score, the more likely lenders are to approve you for loans with favorable terms. Conversely, if your credit score is low, lenders may see you as a risk and charge higher interest rates, or even deny your application.
This can create a difficult situation for patients with low credit scores. The good news? At Smile Science Dental Spa, we’ve worked hard to provide options that can help overcome these challenges.
Medical Tourism: Risks and Considerations
Another phenomenon that has gained popularity over the years is dental tourism, where patients travel abroad for dental procedures at a lower cost. While this might seem like an attractive solution, it’s essential to be aware of the potential risks.
Firstly, while the upfront costs of treatment may be cheaper in some foreign countries, there are additional expenses to consider, such as airfare, accommodation, and meals. If complications arise and further treatments are needed, the overall cost can quickly add up, potentially offsetting any initial savings.
Secondly, standards of care and regulations can vary significantly from country to country. While there are undoubtedly many highly skilled dentists practicing all over the world, it can be difficult for patients to verify a practitioner’s qualifications and the cleanliness of their facilities when they are overseas.
Also, if something goes wrong after you return home, managing follow-up care can be complex and costly. Many U.S. insurance companies will not cover the cost of fixing complications from procedures performed abroad. Additionally, it is not always possible to reverse work that was performed abroad, meaning the consequences may be permanent.
Finally, language barriers and cultural differences can lead to misunderstandings. This, in turn can affect the quality of care and your overall experience.
So, while medical tourism may seem like a cost-effective alternative, it does come with considerable risks. Before making a decision, do thorough research, consider all the costs involved, and consult with a trusted healthcare professional.
Remember, at Smile Science Dental Spa, we’re here to help you navigate these decisions, ensuring you receive quality, affordable dental care in a safe, comfortable environment. Feel free to reach out to us with any questions or concerns you may have.
Financing Options at Smile Science Dental Spa
So, let’s talk about those options. To help make dental care more affordable, we’ve introduced the Smile Science Dental Spa’s Saver’s Plan. This unique offering allows patients to pay monthly towards a savings account, and once they’ve saved enough, they can proceed with their treatment. It’s a little like a layaway plan for your dental care.
Moreover, we’ve also partnered with various third-party financing providers, such as Care Credit, Sunbit, Momnt Finance, and Wisetack. Each of these lenders has its strengths, and we help guide our patients towards the best fit based on their individual circumstances.
For example, for patients with high credit scores, we try to utilize options that offer lower interest rates or even interest rate deferrals. However, for those with lower credit scores, we turn to lenders like Sunbit, who are more likely to approve financing, albeit with higher interest rates. This approach gives our patients the flexibility to receive the treatments they need, when they need them.
Tips for Financing Expensive Dental Treatments Beyond Smile Science Dental Spa
Now, let’s broaden our horizons a bit. While we’ve covered how we help at Smile Science Dental Spa, we also want you to feel empowered wherever you seek dental treatment.
In other practices, similar strategies could be implemented. You could look for practices that offer their own savings plans or consider third-party financing. It’s also helpful to have a frank discussion with the dental care provider about costs and payment options; many are willing to work with patients to develop a financial plan that meets their needs.
Be proactive about understanding your credit score and the role it plays in financing options. Taking steps to improve your credit score could open up even more favorable financing possibilities.
View Expensive Dental Treatment as an Investment in Yourself
To wrap up, it’s essential to remember that while dental treatments can be expensive, there are numerous ways to make them more affordable. At Smile Science Dental Spa, we’ve covered labor, marketing, and equipment costs, and discussed how our practice is currently structured to keep treatments as affordable as possible.
Furthermore, we’ve highlighted the various financing options available including our Saver’s Plan and third-party lenders. We also discussed the impact of credit scores on financing options.
But beyond our Spa, we encourage you to be proactive, understand your financial standing, and seek out flexible payment options wherever you choose to receive treatment.
At Smile Science Dental Spa, we provide top-quality dental care that’s within reach of our patients’ budgets. If you’re in Glendale, AZ, or the surrounding areas and need more information or wish to schedule an appointment, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Smile Science Dental Spa.
We’re here to help you smile with confidence, without the stress of financial burden.
Citations and Further Reading
- Patient Financing Options
- Dental tourism and the risk of barotrauma and barodontalgia
- Is Dental Tourism Safe?
- Dental financing: What are my options?
