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2013-08-27 10:54 PM

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Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Subject: Dental work

During my vacation (of course!) I had a filling fall out, along with part of the tooth.  It doesn't hurt, aside from some minor discomfort of a sharp edge rubbing against my tongue.  Called my dentist and she was out on vacation, got a temporary filling put in.  The dentist that I went to see said I probably will need a root canal and a crown based on what he saw (no x-ray). 

I believe him for the most part, as he has no vested financial interest in me, as I will be seeing my regular dentist next week.

The problem is I have terrible dental insurance, it covers cleanings and preventative 100%, but a root canal and a crown would be 100% out of pocket for me.  At this point I simply can't afford $2000 w/o having to put most of it on the credit card.

My question for you guys is have any of you had any dental work done at a university/school?  I know they are supervised by professionals, but there is something unsettling about having a student do the dental work.  I have a feeling that this route could be a heck of a lot cheaper. 

Or anyone know any back ally dentists?  I have a few cases of beer I could part with.



2013-08-28 6:56 AM
in reply to: Justin86

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Payson, AZ
Subject: RE: Dental work
I have never had work done by a student but I use to have a rather old out of touch dentist (family dentist so I just kept going to him until I moved out on my own) and so in that case I would rather have had the student who at least had access to the newest and greatest and not stuck in the 60's. 
2013-08-28 7:25 AM
in reply to: Justin86

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Regular
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LHOTP
Subject: RE: Dental work

Work at a University is usually cheaper, but not always that much cheaper.  At our University, the students are supervised very carefully by staff.  I wouldn't worry about the quality of work on something like this.  Something more complicated or cosmetic, maybe, but this is pretty standard.

Many dentists will work out a payment plan for more expensive procedures.  You may see if that is an option.  Our University does that, but my pp dentist does that too.

Good luck.

2013-08-28 7:57 AM
in reply to: Justin86

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1159
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Subject: RE: Dental work
AS much as I hate using it, you could see if you qualify for care credit - it helps with healthcare costs - like a credit card, but it is a set payment plan - you pick the repay period (normally 6, 12 or 24 months)...if your dentist takes it - I had to use it for vet costs recently, but it covers a whole range of stuff
2013-08-28 8:37 AM
in reply to: switch

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Pro
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Omaha, NE
Subject: RE: Dental work
Originally posted by switch

Work at a University is usually cheaper, but not always that much cheaper.  At our University, the students are supervised very carefully by staff.  I wouldn't worry about the quality of work on something like this.  Something more complicated or cosmetic, maybe, but this is pretty standard.

Many dentists will work out a payment plan for more expensive procedures.  You may see if that is an option.  Our University does that, but my pp dentist does that too.

Good luck.

+1

We always joked in the Navy that everything was done by students training, but I never had any issues and as long as it's a reputable school then I wouldn't worry about the quality too much.  
In some ways it may be better because they're more apt to use newer technology/procedures than the guy who went to dental school in the 70's  

2013-08-28 9:33 AM
in reply to: tuwood

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Champion
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Dallas, TX
Subject: RE: Dental work
To me, my teeth are everything. You only get one set and if you get an infection is can be very dangerous. I would be more than willing to charge $2,000 to ensure my teeth were taken care of properly. That's just me.

The issue with the dental schools is that you usually have to get on a wait list and can't be seen quickly.



2013-08-28 10:08 AM
in reply to: KSH

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Subject: RE: Dental work
I went to a dentist for a root canal while not on insurance. I bought the "my smile" dental plan listed here (http://www.sabinosmiles.com/insurance-and-payment-options). It's a dental discount plan, and you can supplement insurance with it. Then I financed the rest at 0% though the dentists office. I think I put like 30% down, and paid the rest over 6 months. It was pretty simple.

Might want to see if there are dental discount type plans in your area.
2013-08-28 8:25 PM
in reply to: Justin86

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Master
2380
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Beijing
Subject: RE: Dental work
Originally posted by Justin86

During my vacation (of course!) I had a filling fall out, along with part of the tooth.  It doesn't hurt, aside from some minor discomfort of a sharp edge rubbing against my tongue.  Called my dentist and she was out on vacation, got a temporary filling put in.  The dentist that I went to see said I probably will need a root canal and a crown based on what he saw (no x-ray). 

I believe him for the most part, as he has no vested financial interest in me, as I will be seeing my regular dentist next week.

The problem is I have terrible dental insurance, it covers cleanings and preventative 100%, but a root canal and a crown would be 100% out of pocket for me.  At this point I simply can't afford $2000 w/o having to put most of it on the credit card.

My question for you guys is have any of you had any dental work done at a university/school?  I know they are supervised by professionals, but there is something unsettling about having a student do the dental work.  I have a feeling that this route could be a heck of a lot cheaper. 

Or anyone know any back ally dentists?  I have a few cases of beer I could part with.

Suze Orman would tell you that you shouldn't have been on vacation if you can't afford $2000 to fix your tooth. 

I would agree about talking to the dentist about a payment plan, and make sure to discuss the terms.  Hopefully it's a low or NO interest plan, at least better than a credit card rate.

Start building up your emergency fund... this is EXACTLY the kind of thing they're for.

2013-08-28 9:01 PM
in reply to: moondawg14

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Veteran
869
5001001001002525
Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Subject: RE: Dental work
Originally posted by moondawg14
Originally posted by Justin86

During my vacation (of course!) I had a filling fall out, along with part of the tooth.  It doesn't hurt, aside from some minor discomfort of a sharp edge rubbing against my tongue.  Called my dentist and she was out on vacation, got a temporary filling put in.  The dentist that I went to see said I probably will need a root canal and a crown based on what he saw (no x-ray). 

I believe him for the most part, as he has no vested financial interest in me, as I will be seeing my regular dentist next week.

The problem is I have terrible dental insurance, it covers cleanings and preventative 100%, but a root canal and a crown would be 100% out of pocket for me.  At this point I simply can't afford $2000 w/o having to put most of it on the credit card.

My question for you guys is have any of you had any dental work done at a university/school?  I know they are supervised by professionals, but there is something unsettling about having a student do the dental work.  I have a feeling that this route could be a heck of a lot cheaper. 

Or anyone know any back ally dentists?  I have a few cases of beer I could part with.

Suze Orman would tell you that you shouldn't have been on vacation if you can't afford $2000 to fix your tooth. 

I would agree about talking to the dentist about a payment plan, and make sure to discuss the terms.  Hopefully it's a low or NO interest plan, at least better than a credit card rate.

Start building up your emergency fund... this is EXACTLY the kind of thing they're for.

Good for Suze Orman, I was visiting relatives staying there for free, spent probably $100 over 5 days.  It's probably nice to sit in front of a TV and read a script and make $100k+ a year.  But some of us working folk need some time off too.

I had a decent emergency fund earlier this year but 2 MRI's and a bone scan took a big chunk out of it, thanks to another unexpected health issue that came up.  It's difficult with your first job out of college, paying off a mountain of student loan debt to keep a large amount in savings. 

I asked if anyone had done work at a student facility not for financial advice.

2013-09-11 7:03 PM
in reply to: Justin86

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Regular
108
100
Subject: RE: Dental work
Check out the blue book cost at this link and then find a provider in your neck of the woods,

http://healthcarebluebook.com/page_Default.aspx
2013-09-12 12:47 PM
in reply to: KIELBASA

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Champion
7036
5000200025
Sarasota, FL
Subject: RE: Dental work

Originally posted by KIELBASA Check out the blue book cost at this link and then find a provider in your neck of the woods, http://healthcarebluebook.com/page_Default.aspx

This a good starting point.  I'd also ask around for references before commiting to someone. 

Mark



2013-09-13 5:28 AM
in reply to: Justin86

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Champion
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Albuquerque, New Mexico
Subject: RE: Dental work
I don't have any experience with student dental work, but I have experience with what you're considering.

I have a molar that is now about 75% amalgam. I've had parts of the tooth or filling break off and at least 3 different dentists have suggested that I'll need a root canal and crown. The first time I heard that was about 20 years ago, and I don't think I've had anything done on it in at least 5-7 years.

If it isn't bothering you, defer the root canal/crown. You may have better coverage in a few years, and you might also find out the filling holds much longer than your dentist expects.
2013-09-15 6:35 PM
in reply to: McFuzz

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Veteran
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Southampton, Ontario
Subject: RE: Dental work
I had a dental hygiene student clean my teeth. it did take a number of visits as they are very thorough and everything had to be checked by the instructor. Other than the time it took i had no issues. I also had to have a root canal while in school. I was able to talk to the dentist, explain my financial situation, and got a discount on the root canal, setting up a payment plan might also been a good bet. Either way get your tooth fixed your health is important.
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