Paying for dental care, with or without insurance
Dental offices set their own prices and choose which plans they take. Here are the options people use, and the questions to ask before you book.
- Private insurance, Medicaid, CHIP and Medicare
- Payment plans and membership plans
- Dental schools and community health centers
No obligation to book. Calls may be recorded and connected to a participating dental office or its scheduling service.
Change ZIP
What are the ways to pay for a dentist?
| Option | How it works | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Dental insurance (PPO, HMO) | Most cover checkups and cleanings; fillings, extractions and crowns are often partly covered; waiting periods are common. | Is the office in network? Will they check my benefits first? |
| Medicaid (adults) | Adult dental benefits differ a lot by state, from emergency-only to fuller care. | Does the office accept my state's Medicaid dental plan? |
| Medicaid and CHIP (children) | Every state covers dental care for children enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP. | Does the office see children on my plan? |
| Medicare | Original Medicare doesn't cover routine dental care. Some Medicare Advantage plans include dental. | Bring your Advantage plan card and ask what's covered. |
| Office payment plan | Some offices spread treatment costs over months. | What are the terms, the total cost and any interest? |
| In-office membership plan | A yearly fee for checkups plus a discount on other care, offered by some offices. | What's included, and does it renew automatically? |
| Dental school clinic | Students treat patients under faculty dentists. Visits take longer. | Is there a waiting list for new patients? |
| Community health center | Federally funded centers often offer dental care on a sliding scale by income. | Search findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov for one near you. |
We don't sell insurance or dental plans, and we don't set or quote prices. The office you book with gives you its own prices.
How do I avoid surprise bills?
- Ask for a written treatment plan with the cost of each step before treatment starts.
- Ask the office to check your insurance benefits, and ask what you'll owe after insurance.
- If you need several treatments, ask which one is urgent and which can wait.
- For bigger work like implants or braces, it's fine to get a second opinion.
- Read any financing terms before you sign, including the interest rate and the total amount you'll pay.
If cost is the worry, say so on the call. Offices hear it every day and can often suggest a cheaper first step.
Where can I find low-cost dental care?
Low-cost dental care is limited, but these places often cost less: community health centers with sliding-scale fees, dental school clinics, and occasional community dental days run by local dental groups, where volunteers treat patients at no charge. Waiting lists can be long, so if you're in pain, see a dentist first and look for lower-cost follow-up care after.
Children enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP have dental coverage in every state. Ask your plan for a list of dentists who see children.
Questions about paying
Will the dentist take my insurance?
Plans differ from office to office, including Medicaid and CHIP dental plans. Have your insurance card ready and ask the office before you book. If you don't have insurance, ask whether they offer payment plans or a membership plan.
Do I have to book an appointment?
No. The office tells you its openings, the insurance it takes and its prices, and you decide whether to book. If you book with a dental office, you pay that office directly for your care.
Do you offer a discount plan?
No. We don't sell dental plans or insurance. Some dental offices have their own membership plans; ask them directly.
Who answers when I call?
We connect your call to a participating dental office or a dental scheduling line that serves your area, when one is available. We are not a dental office and we don't provide dental care.
Ask about insurance on the call.
Call, tell us your ZIP code, and ask the dental office about your plan and payment options before you book.
No obligation to book. Calls may be recorded and connected to a participating dental office or its scheduling service.