Cheap dental care?

Doing the bus tour route might be cheaper that US doctors...but, do you have access to any dental schools (usually at the local college)? DH's aunt is a single mom and went to our local one for regular care for quite some time. Its good practice and they(students) are supervised.

 

Is there a low-income Health Clinic in your area? There is one in OKC and they have a dentist too. My Mom has used them a couple of times, since she's on a fixed income. If there isn't one right near you and you're in Arkansas, check in Ft. Smith. Surely there's something you can do, even if you call a dentist yourself and make a deal with him up front on cost. Some health care providers are more compassionate to those who aren't insured.
Hope you find one, I understand your dilemma!

 

Oh, I totally agree with you. When I lived in the city, believe or not, there was an eye doctor who had a flat fee for the visit and he made the glasses himself there in his office. His office was very plain, no fancy furniture and such, which means he probably didn't owe a bunch of money to some bank. I liked him and I found him through the place I worked for, so, he gave people there a discount. It was so nice not to be ripped off.
Our dental school at the Health Sciences Center is the only one I know in our area that works like that. We had a Nurse-practioner who was working that way too and she had a Doctor that supervised by checking records and all, but I guess some of the other Docs in the area ran her out or she moved on cause her clinic was only open a few years and now she's gone.
The only other way around here to get service like that is if you have a CDB card from a tribe. I'm mixed-blood but not a card carrier, fortunately though, I have insurance through the University. Although, the stinker who runs the benefit office got a bad carrier last year and now everyone is having trouble paying what's left after they decide NOT to pay it.
I don't want taxes to go up, but I sure wish we had socialized medicine like Canada or if they would just put price controls on Health Care. It's absolutely ridiculous, just like you've said. My daughter is in the same quandry, no insurance and can't find anyone to take her with a flat rate now the Peggy's Clinic is gone. My Hubby doesn't have any either and I hold my breath on that one since he's over 40 and a smoker. It's become a sad situation in a country that's supposed to be so wealthy.

 

hmmm I am very interested in this....

I went to the dentist and they quoted $6000 to fix my mouth.. and my insurance would only cover $100 of it...

and since i am in texas... hmmm

if any one can send me some info.. please...

Thanks in advance

Lynn in texas

 

The words "Cheap" and "Dental Care" don't belong in the same sentence.

Earlier this year, I needed a root canal and a crown. $1650.

My father, who "winters" in South Texas, goes across the border to Mexico for his dental needs. Dental care in Mexico is approx 30% of what gringo dentists charge.

 

"Now with all the gee whiz hi-tech stuff and all the insurance and government programs, all care is priced top dollar and if you dont have top dollar income or insurance, well you better go beg to your uncle sam or local welfare program. How about we still have some practitioneers that can see opportunity in offering low prices for basic service to attract customers without top dollar income/insurance? Do they all need the latest high tech everything and the fancy offices and to drive fancy cars? I'd be happy to be treated by somebody using 1950's dental technology if they were skilled and kept clean office, but also charged so average person could just pay out of pocket."


When you wish for the 50's dental and medical care (and without government intrusion) relationships you really have to go overseas. Best medical care I ever got was in Peru. U.S. trained doctor, visit to the finest hospital emergency room, drugs, private telephone number to the doctor's house, etc.

Cost me $20.00. The diagnosis, emergency, and follow through care were great.
And no need for approval to buy your drugs.

In the U.S. we have so many layers and layers of control with vested interest that doctors don't and certainly patients don't have any control anymore.

There is a reason for no self-pay anymore (except at we-will-punish-you double the price rate), it doesn't empower anybody but the patient, no one else gets a job, your transactions and care are private, and the government looses a big voice (read control) in what you do with your life.

Go West old Man! (or south).

 

Here are a couple of references I found on another board:

"I have been very pleased with the Washington Dental Clinic at 2nd at Ocampo in TJ. My family and I have gone there for several years, good work at very good prices. They have a US 800#: 800-207-9223."

"My brother uses a dentist in Tecate, this is his reommendation.

HIS NAME IS GABRIEL ADAME DDS. 251 ORTIZ RUBIO AV. TECATE MEX. BC. PHONE# 001 52 665 654 14 49 TELL THE RECEPTIONIST YOU WERE REFERRED BY DR RICHARD MONTGOMERY OF SPRING VALLEY. HE IS MY NEIGHBOR HE IS A RETIRED CHIROPRACTOR."

Here's one for whom there's no complete address-- but I have seen him cited several times:

"My dentist is Dr. Carlos Rivas, at Zona Centro, Ensanada (I think it is something like 7-77 Gastum)..I'll try to dig out exact info. I always
get cards when I go down (I think 6yrs. now) but, I keep giving them away! I can give directions on how to get there, not hard. His father, also a dentist, has a hotel and gives discounts when you go down for work.(I haven't stayed there however) Very nice folks, I once showed up from Seattle without contacting him to find his office gutted, his worker got on the phone and called him at home, he came in on a saturday bringing his sister to assist, also a dentist (family business I guess)he used his father's office to take care of me, he knew I came a long way,I'd like to hear where you get that kind of service in the states, and the price was 1/10th what you would pay in the states! I guarentee he has more high-tech equipment than you have ever seen. no more yucky cardboard things stuffed into you gums to take x-rays! "

 

From another board...
My husband and I have used the Washington Dental Clinic in Juarez Mexico since late 1999. The El Paso office is able to accept certain insurance claim forms for work completed. Toll free numbers are 1-800-538-6492 or 1-800-813-7862 to the El Paso office. Appointments can almost always be made even for the next day. General prices will be quoted over the telephone and cash is expected before you see the dentist (even when your insurance form will be processed). Credit cards are accepted. Free transportation is provided from many El Paso motels and locations as well as a parking garage close to the border. Return transportation is quite timely. Individuals you deal with over the telephone speak English as does the receptionist at the Juarez clinic. Not all dentists speak English comfortably, but there is always a bilingual technician available to intercede and make certain the customer understands the process. Any prescriptions must be filled on the Mexico side before crossing the border.

It is amazing to watch the flow of customers on any given day (they are closed only on Sundays) that have come across the border - at the Washington Clinic alone!

 

Hmmm...1000 miles from Little Rock to El Paso,not sure thats much help for you John.
BooBoo

 

See if there is a university in your area with a dental school - usually very cheap.

 

Found this..........

http://www.mybenefitsplus.com/terryl

List of providers in AR...............

http://providersearch.ameriplanusa....erCategory=0&Search=&Submit=Look+up+Providers

 

There is a community clinic in Springdale that provides medical and dental services. I wouldn't call it "charity", its simply based on your income--which seems fair to me. I'm not sure what dental services they provide but you can call them at 479-751-7417. Its near the Jones Center if that helps.
Kathleen

 

Kenny Runion says... " local feller pull yer teeth with a pair a homemade pliers ... wouldn't charge ya a dime ... put his knee right here on yer chest and start pullin ... GREAT GOODNESS! ... when it was all done you wouldn't owe him a dime ... no sir, not a dime"

From memory from FOXFIRE.