A: We offer third-party financing with CareCredit, Lending Club, and GreenSky. Once you are approved, we offer 0% interest for up to 24 months and we also accept all PPO policies.
If you’re stressed out from trying to figure out how to afford the dental work you need—we have some good news. You have options. Even if you don’t have PPO dental insurance, you may be able to break up the cost into manageable payments. We offer dental financing through our financial partners to make things easier.
Whether you’re needing dental implants, crowns, braces, or expensive restorative procedures—finances shouldn’t hinder you. In many cases you can get the dental financing you need, it’s just a matter of finding the right lender or solution for you.
How Can I Afford My Dental Procedure?
We understand that some dental procedures can be a financial strain you may not be expecting. Even the occasional routine treatment can hinder an already tight budget.
Sure, some people can just pull out their debit card and drop thousands of dollars for dental implants or veneers. However, most of us don’t have that luxury and we’re stuck scrambling to find a way to get the treatment we need.
Like visiting the doctor, going to visit the dentist isn’t cheap—but then again getting good medical care never is.
Why Is It So Expensive?
Here in the US, dentists spend thousands going to dentistry school for up to 8 years. It’s even longer for dentists that also want to be a certified prosthodontist. Then, they have to do a residency in a clinic once they graduate.
Higher education costs in the US have skyrocketed in the last 20 years. So, the average dental student graduates with over several hundred thousand dollars in educational debt. When they open their practice, they’re usually still paying on that debt.
Then, of course, you factor in the costs of having a practice. Expensive imaging equipment, staff salaries, rent on the building, and sky-high liability insurance rates. So, when you go to the dentist, you’re paying for more than just a 30-minute visit. It’s just like any business; overhead is rolled into the cost of products and services.
However, that’s still not going to make you feel better when you get the bill—and we’re not discounting that feeling. You need dental work, yet you can’t afford the cost—or can you?
Getting The Dental Financing You Need
We want our patients to be able to get the dental treatments they need. When external forces such as financial constraints prevent a procedure, it can be discouraging. However, we have negotiated with several financing companies to get patients the dental financing they need.
A lot of patients that we treat can secure their own financing either through their own bank or credit union. This is typically because they have excellent credit and a working relationship with their lenders. But what if your credit is less than stellar?
Dental Financing Is An Option Even With Bad Credit
Unfortunately, life throws us curveballs here and there and sometimes that ends up having a negative impact on our credit. This makes getting a car loan difficult, getting approved for a loan is sometimes near impossible. So, it can feel so pointless to try and apply for dental financing fearing yet another rejection.
Fortunately, there are dental financing partners that offer assistance at most credit score levels. We use a few trusted partners here at CDG.
CareCredit
CareCredit is a network-based credit card that is accepted by multitudes of partner practices both medical and dental. These providers, including our practice, accept the card as payment for services, co-pays, and even cosmetic procedures.
We have negotiated a 24-month, no-interest promotional financing offer with CareCredit on certain procedures. With credit approval, you can use the card to pay for all (subject to available credit) or part of your procedure.
As with any loan or credit card—please make sure you understand the terms of the offer and what your obligations are. Many of our patients have found that CareCredit has opened doors to them they thought were closed. Patients are able to get the dental implants, braces, or restorations they desperately need.
Lending Club & GreenSky
These two options are a bit different as they are loans specifically for procedures performed here at CDG of Houston. It’s straightforward, as it’s just a regular loan that offers different interest rates based on your credit. With these financing options, you’re getting a set payment amount that’s due for a set term, which will vary on a case-by-case basis.
We Also Accept PPO Dental Insurance
If you have a PPO dental insurance plan, then you have some added assistance. While coverages and limits vary with different carriers it can be a big help. If you don’t have a PPO insurance plan yet, you might want to consider getting a policy. Unless you need urgent dental work immediately, a PPO policy might be a wise solution.
Keep in mind that some dental insurance policies make you wait for some time before making a claim. So, again, if it’s urgent and the policy you’re considering has a 90-day waiting period—that’s a dealbreaker. Some policies will take you on even with pre-existing conditions and no waiting period, but those usually are more expensive.
Depending on your policy, insurance may save you a little, a lot, or not much at all on dental care. So, dental financing is something you may still be looking at to get the treatment you need.
What Procedures Can I Use Financing For?
Each lender is different, some offer fixed loan amounts for a specified term, so it’s not likely to be for routine procedures. However, others such as CareCredit, offer an open line of credit that you can use for cleanings, minor procedures, and also major ones. It just depends on the provider and special financing options that they make available.
Don’t Let Finances Hold Your Smile Back
If you’re needing a dental procedure to correct a broken smile, don’t just give up because of financial issues. Contact us today and speak with a smile expert to look over your options for financing the smile you deserve!
