Dental treatment is a part of our lives that we cannot run away from. Our teeth need care, and we need to look after them. But the bad reputation that dental treatment has with respect to the money that goes behind it often discourages people to see their dentists and take proper care of their teeth.
From your children to you to your parents — anybody can be susceptible to potential tooth diseases. Therefore, having a proper plan for family dental care is of paramount importance.
Schedule regular appointments with your dentist
The adage ‘prevention is better than cure’ cannot be underestimated or understated, be it for your dental health or the pinch it causes to your pocket. Try to visit your dentist for a regular dental check-up every six months, if not more. The cost difference between a regular check-up versus that of a dental emergency is huge. Hence, it is wiser to keep in touch with your dental clinic and follow it up every six months.
That way, a tooth that is just starting to decay (and was heading towards a root canal situation) could be easily identified and prevented. Even gum diseases (gingivitis) can be determined before they are about to happen, and most often, preventive measures can be taken.
Buy a dental insurance
Most people are hesitant to invest in dental insurances. But considering the cost that goes into dental emergencies like root canals and orthodontic sinusitis, people should think more about investing in dental insurance that will not let these kinds of dental emergencies wreck their savings.
Family dental care plans are the most effective. Find out if your company provides group coverage, as they always come in handy. They ideally cover for routine check-ups, other basic procedures (like teeth braces, root canal procedures etc.), and even the most complicated ones (like crown fracture, pulpotomy etc.). This way, even when you’re going through a tough time financially, you can still subject yourself and your family to good dental care.
Go for options that get the job done
You never know what lies ahead, and it is always wise to prepare for the future. Even comparatively simpler dental processes like teeth braces cost a lot if you don’t know what you want. Linguistic braces, which cost more than traditional braces, are often preferred by people because of their non-visibility. However, traditional braces work better than linguistic braces and are actually cheaper.
The cost of a root canal treatment significantly increases when you choose a costly metal like gold for your crown, rather than something like aluminum. Hence, it is always wiser to go for options that are not “fancier” per se but get the job done.
Maintain a budget
Decide in your mind how much you’d want to spend on your family dental care, depending on your savings or your dental insurance plan. Get a rough idea of what teeth braces cost if you want them. Make a mental note of how much you need to spend and try not to go over that. Maintaining a moderately strict budget can help you not go overboard with your money.
Although, needless to mention, you should be open to suggestions from your dentist about changes and improvements in your treatment.
Talk to your dentist
Talk to your dentist about what you can and cannot afford. Be transparent about your budget and if your dental insurance plan is an individual or a family one. Most dentists and dental clinics will cooperate and guide you through the ways that are the most suitable for you.
Family dental care need not be expensive now. With the Bajaj Finserv Digital Health EMI Network Card, you can split the bills of both pharmacies and hospitals. The card lets you pay all your bills in easy EMIs, and comes with a pre-approved limit of up to Rs. 4 lakh.
