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A dental appointment usually involves doing a check-up and cleaning of the teeth and gums. The recommendation of a dentist usually is that a dental cleaning should be done two times annually, however, some patients with periodontal disease or other severe dental and oral problems may need to see the dentist even more often. Teeth cleaning, alongside filling cavities and other basic dental procedures, is offered by dentists who often employ specialized dental technicians called dental hygienists to do the cleaning.
If you don’t have dental insurance, then you probably understand that cleaning one’s teeth can be an expense that one has to carefully consider while spending money. Most adults, for example, do not have dental coverage from their employer, so this expense is entirely out of pocket. Many people do not go to the dentist because of the cost, even if there is an immediate health issue. A particular challenge for accessing dental care is that many people who have health insurance still need to purchase an additional plan for dental coverage. Original Medicare does not pay for routine dental care, although some dental services are benefits of most Medicare Advantage plans. Comprehensive dental services are available for children in all Medicaid programs, but most of them do not cover adults, and there are no minimum coverage requirements for adults.
With dental coverage under one’s health insurance plan, it is also possible that the plan will not provide coverage for the number of dental cleanings that the doctor deems necessary for the patient.
What is Teeth Cleaning
Keeping teeth bright and healthy is just one of the many benefits of dental cleaning. Regular dental cleanings can help minimize cavities and gum diseases, which tend to require much more complicated and expensive procedures were they to occur. The major benefits of teeth cleaning regularly include:
- Gum disease prevention: Dental cleanings help remove plaque and tartar which causes gum diseases.
- Retention of teeth: For older individuals, regular clean ups and checkups are extremely important for maintaining their teeth.
- Detection of dental issues: While performing a cleaning, broken fillings, fractures or even oral cancer signs are easy to spot.
- Health: Numerous health problems stem from oral hygiene, or lack thereof, including heart disease. Regular cleaning of teeth will reduce the likelihood of such diseases.
With all things considered, all fresh and older individuals gain extensive benefits from regular dental cleaning in both the short and long term.
Routine Cleaning
In order to maintain good hygiene, plaque, tartar and surface stains must be removed on a regular basis. This is also the most common procedure done by a dentist, which is why it’s referred to as preventive measure. Routine cleaning is generally recommended twice a year, but other factors such as personal dentist recommendations and your dental care requirements can alter the frequency.
It is necessary that when was your last cleaning. If it was a few years ago then perhaps a deep cleaning may be needed. A hygienist or a dentist can not perform a regular cleaning if there are symptoms of gum disease showing.
Deep Cleaning
Unlike the typical cleaning of teeth, scaling and root planing are a lot more advanced. The goal of a deep cleaning is to remove any plaque and tartar build up above and under the gum line. Along with treating gingivitis, deep teeth cleaning costs more in general compared to other routine cleaning.
Can I get my teeth cleaned without dental insurance?
Surely, you are free to clean your teeth without needing an insurance plan. You will need to cover the full cost yourself however. Later we will talk about subsidized or free dental cleaning.
As well as preventive services, cleaning is a service that should be done for less than restorative procedures such as crowned teeth or root canals.
Depending on your plan, you may be able to pay for a dental cleaning using a combination of funds from a:
- Health savings account (HSA) for individuals registered in high-deductible health plans.
- Flexible spending account (FSA) for individuals covered by certain employer health insurance plans.
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- Dental care savings: Many people control the dentist out of fear of the expense, and the expense of dental care is the leading cause of not scheduling a visit. Fortunately, there is a number of different things you can do to save money on dental care.
- Are dental discounts plans worth it? Potentially expensive oral care becomes more manageable with access to dental discount plans, also known as dental savings plans. Consider this guide before making the purchase.
- Medicaid coverage: Some states provide dental services through Medicaid. Check to see if you qualify for Medicaid coverage for your dental needs.
How much does dental cleaning cost without insurance?
The cost of getting your teeth cleaned without insurance varies by provider. The average cost is $104 in the United States according to American Dental Association. A few dental offices might charge a basic dental cleaning fee up to $200.
If you don’t have dental insurance or even if you do, there are still strategies to save on dental cleanings. For example, some dentists extend their promotional offers for new patients to free cleanings, and also offer installment payment plans.
Dental savings plans
Membership programs also referred to as dental discount plans allow patients to save additional while ascertaining the value of dental savings plans, often affiliated with providers. For example, Aspen Dental chain has a dental savings plan for $39 a year that offers a 30% discount on general cleanings from participating providers. Non-insurance programs also grant discounts for basic dental services.
It is important to understand that a dental cleaning is not the same as a dental exam which usually consists of:
- Evaluation of dental condition
- Dental radiography (X-rays)
- Treatment design, including recommendations for routine cleanings.
Some plans for dental savings cover the cost of annual examinations and X-rays fully, that is by 100%.
Which factors influence the price of dental cleaning services?
Your geographic location and the experience of the dentist you selected are likely to affect your dental cleaning expenses. For instance, if you reside in a mostly rural region that has a shortage of dental providers, the actual cost of dental cleaning may rise because of other cost factors including transportation expenses and time away from your job.
If it has been a long period since your previous cleaning visit, it is likely that you will need more than a standard dental cleaning session. Another reason that will increase the cost is when you are having the following procedures done:
- Scaling and root planing, also popularly known as periodontal cleaning, is a type of deep cleaning that involves the removal of tartar below the gum line and treatment of the inflamed gums. If your teeth are in particularly bad shape, this type of cleaning may take more than one appointment to finish, and each session can cost anywhere from $150 to $300, or more.
- For people with advanced cases of plaque and tartar buildup, a full mouth debridement, more commonly referred to as gross debridement, may be necessary prior to any examination and cleaning being done on the teeth.
If you have other services done like X-Rays or fluoride treatments, those additional services may increase the price of your dental cleaning visit.
Low cost dental cleaning without insurance
Promotions or discounts are not the only ways to save money on dental cleaning or other services for those without insurance coverage. There are many ways to receive free or low cost dental services.
Dental schools
See if one of the 70 dental schools located throughout the country is in your area. Most dental schools have a clinic where they provide inexpensive dentistry and dental hygiene services so that dental students and recent graduates can learn to treat patients. Many dental schools also have faculty who provide dental services to students and other patients.
Community health centers and clinics
A number of community health centers and clinics called federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) offer a range of preventive and some basic dental services at little or no cost. The tool Find a Health Center can help locate a FQHC in your area.
Rural health clinics
Residents living outside of urban regions might be serviced by a rural health clinic. Unlike with FQHCs, service at these clinics is not free, however, many of them offer sliding scale discounts.
Health departments
Your local or state health department may also assist you with locating affordable and free dental care services in your area. The Association of State & Territorial Dental Directors has created this government oral health program locator.
Veterans Affairs
Most veterans are able to access free and low cost dental cleanings and other oral healthcare services through their Veterans Affairs (VA) dental benefits. The VA offers dental care at more than 200 offices nationwide.
Charitable organizations
There are also some charitable organizations that offer dental services at reduced or no cost. For instance, Dental Lifeline Network helps patients in need find volunteer dentists and dental labs. The National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics helps sponsor health centers around the country that provide no cost dental care.
Research studies
The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, part of the National Institutes of Health, might be able to connect you with dental researchers in your area who offer clinical trials that provide free dental services for participants.
Is it worth getting your teeth cleaned?
Yes, cleanings offer several advantages. For instance, they can help detect early stages of gum disease or tooth decay which could save you money and serious dental problems down the road. Along with that, dental cleanings can also enhance inflammation control if you have gum disease, known as gingivitis. There is evidence supporting the fact that gum disease may contribute to heart disease and other health conditions. Thus, regular cleanings not only help you reduce the risk of dental problems but may also be cost-effective in the long term.
Key points
As previously mentioned, regular dental cleanings can help maintain both oral and overall health. If you don’t have insurance, a cleaning can cost around $104, but that figure depends on where you live, which dentist you go to, and their individual costs. A large population of people tend not to have dental insurance. A standard Part A and B Medicare plan does not cover dental care, but most Medicare Advantage plans do. Medicaid pays for comprehensive dental services for children, but most adult programs do not have similar coverage. Therefore, a large population in the U.S. pays for dental cleanings without insurance.
Members of dental savings plans, which are discount membership programs, can afford more affordable dental cleanings. Furthermore, low-income individuals may be able to obtain free or low-cost dental cleanings through dental schools, community health centers, charitable clinics, health departments, and many more options.
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