Did you know that 1 in every 6 Americans require some form of urgent dental care every year? Needless to say, dental emergencies have a knack for happening often—and usually when they’re least convenient! But if you find yourself experiencing a dental emergency, panic can quickly set in if you don’t have dental insurance. However, payment should be the last thing on your mind if your smile is in jeopardy! Here’s everything you should know about visiting an emergency dentist without dental insurance.
What Is Considered a Dental Emergency?
To put it shortly, most abnormal symptoms that occur inside the mouth, including everything from oral pain to unusual swelling, require professional treatment. However, some issues necessitate immediate action, including:
- A loose or displaced (knocked out) permanent tooth.
- A fractured or cracked tooth.
- A lost or damaged filling, crown, bridge, or other type of restoration.
- Painful inflammation that isn’t diminishing.
- A traumatic jaw injury.
- Uncontrollable oral bleeding.
It’s important to note that if you’ve sustained a dental injury that is resulting in life-threatening symptoms, such as difficulty breathing or uncontrollable mouth bleeding, then you should call 9-1-1 or head to the nearest emergency room.
Why You Should Seek Emergency Care Whether or Not You Have Insurance
Sadly, many patients don’t seek necessary dental treatment, whether it’s preventive care, restorative care, or even emergency care, because they’re worried about the financial implications and hit their wallet will take! They falsely believe they’re saving a little money by not visiting the dentist!
However, it’s still important to note that the nature of the emergency will determine the cost of treatment, and if you don’t have insurance, your out-of-pocket costs will likely be higher. Nonetheless, it’s money well-spent; it’s estimated that every $1 spent on preventive care can save you roughly $8 – $50 on restorative and down the road, as it lessens the likelihood of you experiencing a dental emergency.
Making Urgent Dental Care More Affordable
By design, dental insurance is meant to make your life easier by making dental care much more affordable. It allows you to lessen the impact that potentially expensive treatment, such as emergency care, has on your wallet. However, it’s certainly not the only option you have; some dentist offices offer special membership plans that work similarly to dental insurance, but without some of the restrictions and complications like annual maximums and deductibles.
Other options include financing plans through third-party financers; with lower or non-existent interest rates, the cost of urgent care is broken up and easier to manage. But the fact is that lacking dental insurance won’t prevent you from receiving urgent dental care when you need it, and you certainly don’t have to worry about being turned down for not having insurance!
About the Practice
The team at Washington Dental Associates is thrilled to serve the dental needs of the Bergenfield, NJ area under the leadership of Dr. Mariliza LaCap, Dr. Darren Tong, and Dr. Andres Munoz. Their practice is pleased to offer a wide range of available services including preventive, cosmetic, and restorative options. To schedule an appointment, feel free to visit the practice’s website or give them a call at (201) 453-4863 for assistance.