a slightly different dentist post

[aspasia02.livejournal.com]

I've gone through all of the posts about local dentists through the community tags, but I have a slightly more specific question: where might I find a reliable and reasonably priced dentist in the area? I have no dental insurance and very, very limited funds for health-related bills. I'm afraid I'll need several fillings, so I'm looking at a high bill wherever I go, but with that in mind I'd like to keep it as low as humanly possible. I've already been scared off of Gentle Dental and all of its permutations, and I do know about the Tufts dental school (already had two root canals done there). Any suggestions for local dentists who don't charge an arm and a leg for a tooth or two? Or any who might give a discount to local students?

Comments

[lonelyholiday.livejournal.com]

I know I have posted this info before, but I can't remember if it was in this community or not... Sorry if it's redundant.

You should check out the Aetna Dental Access plan. You pay $100 a year and then you get discounts on whatever dental procedures you need. The cost is still higher than it would be with real insurance, but it's a good chunk of savings. If you're just going for your two checkups/cleanings a year, you might not save enough to make the $100 worth it, but if you have to get a lot of work done, the savings will far outweigh the fee. There are lots of dentists who accept the plan in this area. I chose Dental Arts on Highland just sort of randomly from the list, but I wound up being really satisfied with them.

So anyway, I'm not really sure of the Dental Arts rates if you have no insurance or discount, but I do recommend them, and if you do sign up for the Aetna plan, they're one of the offices that will accept you.

Dental Insurance

[everose.livejournal.com]

You can go to Delta Dental's website and sign up for their insurance. It's probably similar to the Aetna plan lonelyholiday mentioned...and it's also like $100 per year. You just sign up and pay online and if you do it before the 21st of any given month, you will be covered as of the first of the next month. So, do it before February 21st and you'll have dental insurance by March 1.

Re: Dental Insurance

[aspasia02.livejournal.com]

are you sure that this plan is available in Massachusetts? I went to their website and looked around, and the only thing I could find about buying in as an individual was listed by state, and MA was not one of them. Is there an option I missed somewhere?

[ampainting32.livejournal.com]

A friend of mine used to get all her dental work done at a local dentistry school. I can't remember the school's name, but it might have been BU's School of Dentistry. Basically, you are the practice teeth for the dental students. The dental work isn't free buy it's a lot cheaper than a regular dentist. Sorry I can't give you more information. Obviously, you are taking on more risk when you have a student work on your teeth, but my friend never had a bad experience. At least it's an option if your get desperate.