No Dental Insurance? Some Say, No Problem!

It’s true that fear keeps many Americans from regularly visiting their dentist, but that’s not the only determent.  Lack of dental insurance and tough economic times also contribute to the rising number of oral disease cases seen across the nation as a result of poor dental hygiene and care.  I recently came across a Yahoo!News article (“Dental Care Is Possible Without Insurance, Even In THIS Economy!”) that detailed one cosmetic dentist’s attempt to raise awareness of this important issue.

Catrise L. Austin, D.D.S., of NYC Cosmetic and General Dentistry, has gone very public, appearing on the “Today Show” and “Good Morning America,” to encourage individuals to seek out payment options in order to obtain crucial dental care.  She discusses such options for developing a dental plan for those who are under and uninsured in her book, “5 Steps to the Hollywood A-List Smile.” According to the National Center for Health Statistics, 7% of children in our country under the age of 17 went without dental care in 2011 because of lack of finances.  Further, 33% of uninsured children went without dental care for more than 2 years, including those who have never visited the dentist.  Dr. Austin believes that there is no reason for the statistics to be so high, and that too many people choose to sacrifice their oral health, which in turn negatively influences their overall wellness.  She encourages all Americans to seek out alternative ways to work around the current challenges in obtaining dental treatment.

Many are expected to have access to affordable dental services with the implementation of President Obama’s Affordable Care Act.  Ideally, the legislation will allow individuals to treat current oral issues, as well as receive preventative care to avoid potential problems down the road.  In the mean time, many are still avoiding the dentist because they think they can’t afford treatment.  Before making that assumption, it is always recommended to talk with your local dentist about various payment plans.  At Miami Dental Sedation Spa, Dr. Luis Sanchez and Dr. Gabriel Vidal are extremely interested in working with their patients on receiving the dental care that they deserve.  They accept a number of payment methods and even offer a 12 month, interest free, finance option.  Their goal is to develop personal relationships with their patients while offering affordable, state-of-the-art care in a comfortable, serene environment.  Don’t allow your financial concerns to keep you from obtaining critical oral health care any longer.