Dental Work for Uninsured Mom????

I am a dental supply sales rep, formerly I worked for a dental office for twelve years. You need to get the teeth pulled. Most dentist do a prelimanary exam and exam for legal reasons. In emergency situations they can pull the teeth.
Good luck!

try the dental school here in SA - I have several friends who are in school there and they are always looking for people who need help.

Try the greater Houston Dental Society and ask if any DDs does any charity work or reduced fee work and how do you Qualify.

There is a dentist on the Katy Freeway, Dr. Edward Johnson, that works with patients that do not have insurance and he is very reasonable. You might give him a call.

I've had good luck with Ameriplan, a discount dental program that, if you present your card to a participating dentist, you will only have to pay 50%-75% of the total cost. Last time I checked, there were no participating dentists in the Bastrop area, so I drive into Austin. There are some participating dentists at the Castle Dental group in South Austin. For enrollment, check out mybenefitsplus.com/ed1 (the last digit is the #1). This basic plan costs about $11/mo per individual or $15/mo per family. This basic plan also includes some vision and chiropractic benefits. Good luck! jenifer

I would try going to somewhere like Royal Dental or Affordable Dental. They have more reasonable prices and they also have ways of offering you "credit" so that you can pay out your dental work.

Try (if you have any) a college, they do it for free or for a very little charge, or if you have a Shepards Clinic or something like that they go by your income for any doctor and dentist visits you just take in a recent pay check and they do a sliding scale. If you cant do either one of those, carecredit.com, apply for a card the give you a credit limit of up to $3000, but they cover any and all kinds of doctors as long as they take the card but on their website you can find a list of doctors, and you just pay it monthly like a credit card. I hope this helps you.

Hi A.

Well I too have had dental problems in the past and have not been able to get insured thru the state because supposedly I make too much money. Well after an extensive search I found out that the Dental School at the University of Texas Medical Branch in the Medical Center offers an emergency clinic at low cost. The reason is that most of the dentists are ones in training about a year or two from graduating so their work is supervised by the teaching staff. The only bad side is that you need to get there early (5-6 am)to be seen the same day (first come first serve) unless you manage to get an appointment but they are hard to come by. All you need to take is your social security card and some form of identification. Well hope that this helps

Try the nearest Dental School. The cost is half of a dentist. They would have accept you into their program. I know several people who have done this as they didn't have insurance.

Try the University of Texas Dental Canter Downtown. They are usaually pretty good at getting people in. They are students but they are great dentists.

There is a dental college in downtown Houston. I think it is the University of Texas Dental College. They will do dental work (under the supervision of a licensed dentist) for scale or free. I have known several people who have received treatment there and have been very pleased.

Good luck!
C.

Honestly, if I were you, I would just say that you and your husband are seperated and that he moved out. Hay, you do what you gotta do. That's probably the most "out there" response you will get, but other than payment plans with the dentist, that's the only thing I could come up with. Go to a clinic that goes by your income. They have dental services available. Go to or call the department of human services, and ask if they know of any discounted health insurance for adults. Or, you could get a job and get benefits long enough for you to get yourself taken care of and then, lol, quit. Or, you could get pregnant. Then you could get medicad. But Im sure that paying a dentist is cheaper than having a baby. Oh, an antibiotic is good to keep on hand. The minute your pain starts, start taking an antibiotic and it'll buy you another 6 months or so. Good luck...T.

I am a work from home mom and sale dental suppliment insurance check it out, it will help you alot

www.mybenefisplus.com/40576536

Why don't you just get insurance? I know that the entire cost of pulling them isn't covered even if you've had insurance for 10 years- it's anywhere from 50-80% covered. EIther way, you are going to have to pay something. Wisdom teeth don't count as a "pre-existing condition" or anything. Either way, if you have a child, you should really think about insurance. It is so important! When I had my first child, I found out how abysmal my employers coverage was. I got an excellent plan with Humana for my whole family for 140$ a month- less than a car, or a CC payment!

Do you live near any dental schools or colleges. I think the one in my town does routine cleanings and things for free or little money. I'm not sure if they do larger dental work but it may be worth a call. What about any community health agencies. Maybe some calls for advice or help? Another idea is to work out the cost/payments with a dentist a head of time. Let them know you're paying cash and ask for the best price. Then work out a payment plan They may also give you other avenues. Dental work is expensive even with insurance, so don't feel bad! You need to take care of yourself so you can be there for your family!! Good luck.

careington ---it's a discount plan and there are many dentists and specialists in the area that take it. you can go to the website and see the rates i believe it is 6 dollars a person? I am using it and had to get a root canal -- i think you get anywhere from 40-65% off the entire bill. it can be used the day after you sign on. it is worth taking a look at if you need dental work asap and can't wait for the waiting period most companies require before you can have certain things done.

Not sure where you are living. But in the Houston area you can try the Univeristy of Texas Health - Dental Branch. I know several people that have been helped by them. Hope you can get some help too! I don't have health insurance so I understand what it is to have a need and no help!

Hi...I feel like I am in the same boat. I do have some insurance, but still have to pay a bunch before they even will start.

You might try the dental schools if there are any in your area. Sometimes they will do the work for minimal amounts.

I would talk to the dentist/orthodontist and see if you can make a cash deal/payment plan... the worst they can say is no.. then you will have to pay for them anyway.

Good Luck!
J.

You can call Dr. Dennis Salinas at ###-###-####, and explain the situation. His office is very friendly and will help you out with a payment plan. Or he will refer you to a reasonably priced oral surgeon. I love Dr. Salinas!

There's the dental college (downtown?), or you might actually contact a few dentists with your situation and asking them what their cash fee would be to remove them. We had dental insurance ... cost $125 a month ... hardly paid anything beyond annual cleaning/x-rays. Even with insurance my 10th grader needs $1,000 worth of out-of-pocket work!! Now we put the $125 in savings every month to pay dentist as needed. Dental insurance really is not of any value. Good luck to you!

There is a dental school in San Antonio. Check the phone book. When my brother was living with me to be near Cancer Theraphy, due to all the medical expenses, he went there and had some work done and the cost was extremely reasonable.

So you might look into that and I think you will come out great.

B.

A.,
some dentist take credit cards or have credit plans with a cc company so you can pay your dental work off in payments. Or there is the Esparanza clinic, but sometimes the wait can be a very long time, just to get on a list. A.

check out Care Credit. That is how I got my teeth pulled before my husband got Dental insurance.

I work from home and my husband is a full time college student so we do not have health/dental insurance either. We use a health discount plan through ASI. It isn't insurance but at least you dont have to pay full price at the Dr.

We pay $52 per month for health, dental, vision and 2 policies. It covers you and your spouse and I think up to 4 dependents. And they also gave us a free cell phone and we get 250 cell phone minutes free each month which is a nice little bonus.

Here is the number if you want to get a quote for yourself.
1-877-483-1830
Program ID 236088

Dear Angela,
My son doesnt have insurance and needs surgery to take out his molars which will cost $1,450. Dentists work with a company to help you get credit for procedures. My son is 20 years old with good credit and he aplied and was given a credit card good for $3,000 that will cover dental, eyes or for vet. Call your dentist and they will give you the application or go on line and get it. I don't remember the name or I would of given it to you. I wish I could of given you more information.
M. Gonzalez
Brownsville Texas

I would check with the UT Dental School - Oral Surgery Clinic. They need teaching cases and I have had most of my dental work done there with no problems (and I have insurance). If you qualify as a teaching case the fee is usually affordable.

Several people have told me that if you call around that a lot of dentist will work with you and put you on a dental plan.And you can pay as they do the work.I would call around to different dentist and explain my situation to them and see what they can offer.

L.

My husband has had insurance for years, but never carried dental insurance because he found that the discount plan offered by Castle Dental Centers (also known as Monarch) was much cheaper. I didn't believe him at first, but after he hd to spend two years (once a week) having his teeth worked one from pulling some to crowns on others, and even a root canal or two, he came out cheaper than any insurance plan I had ever been a part of. He loves it and the options to work out payment afrrangemets with them if you just can't afford it all upfront. If you are in the San Antonio I could get the name of the dentist he used and abslutley loved for you. He is not here right now, but I would be happy to send it to you once he is home. He tried the dental schools down there and because of his time constraints he could not use their services, which would have ended up costing him more than the discount plan we went with.

Hi A.! Sorry your teeth are hurting so bad. There is a school downtown called UT Dental School. I do not have the number but you should be able to find it online. They so work a a big discount sometimes even free. Hope this helps.
M.

You can try a dental college. The interns do the surgery under supervision of an experienced surgeon and it costs a lot less.

Good luck!

You should check into local colleges Dental Hygiene programs. I think they do cleaning and stuff for free I don't know about other things though. I know that LIT in Beaumont has a Dental Hygiene program. Good luck I know the pain of teeth and no insurance. BELIEVE ME :-)

Wow - what a bizarre assortment of comments and opinions here. Bottom line is you should definitely get this taken care of sooner rather than later and you need to save some money.

To the mom who suggested Ameriplan - thanks for spreading the good word!

I work with Ameriplan and know it's the best discount plan out there! Our website is www.SplendidTeeth.com - Our Dental Plus plan is only $19.95 per month for your entire household! That gets you discounts on Dental, Vision, Rx, and Chiropractic services. I not only sell the plans, but use them myself - including our medical discount plan. It just makes much more sense than most insurances these days.

If you need to contact me I will be happy to help you - My number is ###-###-####.

Take care!

there is a place in austin that will pay you to have them out; it is a medical research study that pays you for your time if you agree to try their different pain medications after the extraction. you can see more details at
http://www.ppdi.com/study_volunteers/dental_clinic/

Hi A.,

Find the nearest dental university affiliated hospital or college of dentistry. These schools, in teaching their students, need live patients - for their dentists in training. This is a risk, but it is mimimal, as the work is overseen by licensed, practicing dentists.

You benefit twice: first, in the VAST amount of money you'll save and second, in knowing you have helped contribute in turning out a dental student graduate.

hi I am a dental hygienist
I work for Dr. Thomas Lomonte in Stafford he is great. Why don't you come in let us take a look. We have care credit you can apply for it and pay it off in 3 months no interest or even go for longer terms. If nothing else look us up in the phone book and contact our office. We have a very friendly and family oriented office.
Hope this helps

have you tried affordadent? the number is ###-###-####. its a discount plan. things are litterally cut in half or more on cost. you should give them a call. my dad is using it right now. and i know about prices believe me cause i was a dental assistant for six or seven years.

UT health scince center here in san antonio in the medical center will work on you. They also have very cheap rates.

I'm not sure where you live. If you live in the San Antonio area you could check into the Dental School. I have had work done there and they are pretty reasonable. The phone number is ###-###-#### or as an emergency consult ###-###-####. Hope this helps. Leah

You might try Manos de Cristo on East Cesar Chavez Street in Austin. It is a non-profit organization (church based?) that provides dental services for the uninsured.
Good Luck!

some people gave you names of dentists you could call, and do it soon, because tooth pain is only part of the problem. if an infection happens, it could really impact your health. call soon!

Hate to say it, but I have had full coverage medical and dental (through the governement, BC/BS Fed plan) for years. As far as dental coverage, they really dont cover squat anyway. Out of a $200 dentist bill, they only paid $25!!! You would have better luck going someplace like Castle dental or something and asking if you could make payments on dental work. I think that most big companies like that do have payment plans. It really might be your best bet. Dental coverage is really poor no matter what (unless it's just a cleaning).

try Texas dental their # is 1-800-488-2801 They have plans you can get on right away for, $9 a month for the whole family. You get discounts on services. They don't pay it all, but it's 20-8o% off! you pick your own dentist as long as they are on this plan.

You should contact the University of Texas dental School in Houston. They are very reasonible. A "real" dentist does the surgery but there will be students watching and learning. I had one of mine removed there and they did a great job and it was cheap, but that was several years ago.

There are a lot of good comments on here and a few bad ones....i would definatly not get pregnant..because you will have to wait 9 months to take them out. I would not keep a bottle of antibiotics on hand (who does this). Your body will become immune to them in time and it may last a day or 6 years who knows. Here are some options. I have worked the last nine years as a treatment counselor for a few dental offices.

1. You can go to carecredit.com they approve based on your credit...you may be approved anywhere from $300-$30,000+.
2. Most likely you will need to see an oral surgeon to have iv sedation and extractions. If a general dentist can do them then you will save money...if they dont jack up their prices with bone grafting that is not necessary. If you go to an oral surgeon you will pay around $1000-$2000. Depending on the case.
3. Go to ut dental branch..you may have to wait but you've waited already.
4. If you are in Houston Message me and I can let you know some good places to go. I know of several oral surgeons and several general dentist that will save you money. You have to remember that you will be paying a specialist more than a general dentist.
5. If you get a discount plan...the specialist may not participate or you may get a small discount...

Goodluck...and dont wait too long

Oh and ask for a cash discount if paying in full...with or with out carecredit...they get their money upfront.

I just had to have a wisdom tooth pulled. It came in with the bottom edge turned out and was cutting into my cheek. The pain got so bad I had to get it pulled. Like you I had no isurance. Because there was no infection and the tooth had fully errupted I was able to have it pulled like any other tooth, no surgery. I went in and they numbed me up with novacaine and pulled it. It cost me around $140 which was pretty reasonable considering that also included x-rays. I think if you shop around you can find someone who can give you a good rate. Also, dental offices can help you find financing if the procedure exceeds what you can afford to pay out of pocket. I hope you are able to get this dealt with at a reasonable expense and with minimal pain.