I have been really busy lately, so I apologize for the lack of updates!
I do have one quick thing to write about, though. I got my first cavity filled yesterday and also got my bite wing x-rays done at the dentist. The total cost was $190, which I paid in cash. For that, I am very proud. I am getting what I need done, but not going into debt. Yay!
I am getting my next cavity done next month, and this time it will be $140 because I don't need x-rays again.
It's strange how panicked I was at first over this, but all it took was some budget tweaking. If I didn't live on a budget, it wouldn't be possible.
Showing posts with label Dentist. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dentist. Show all posts
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Dentist Update.
On Tuesday, I finally had the dreaded dentist appointment. While I'm glad I went (no more bad breath or icky plaque on my teeth), I also now have a whole bunch of dental expenses I will need to foot the bill for. I outlined my lack of dental insurance in this post in case anyone needs a refresher.
I found out that I have eight cavities, and she also recommended I have my wisdom teeth out. Now--I was really disheartened because 1) I have never had ANY cavities in my entire life until now, and 2) well...all this is going to be mega bucks! I am sure that had I gone to the dentist at all during the 2 year lapse, I could have prevented some of this.
Anyways...I feel good because I paid for the exam and cleaning in cash. It was $139. They let me decline the x-rays for now--I just had to sign a waiver that I couldn't sue for malpractice if they missed anything in my mouth not visible without them. Next month, I am having one of the cavities filled, and getting one type of x-rays done. The total cost for both procedures will be $190. I will be able to pay cash, again, if I am very frugal.
So basically--the game plan is to cash flow one cavity filling each month until they're all filled. My dentist said that it would take 6 months or more to them to get to the point of needing root canals (which would be close to $1,000 instead of $140 for a filling) so in the meantime I'm going to be super meticulous about my oral hygiene. Plus, in the summer when I'm working I could probably cash flow 2 per month. After talking to several people about my wisdom teeth, I have decided to wait until they are bothering me. Right now, they aren't. They aren't impacting other teeth and I have room in my mouth for them. They're just a nuisance for decay and stuff. Hopefully, I can put it off until after January 2010 when I'll have dental (next year I'm definitely making sure all the paperwork is done correctly!).
A definite bonus to my working toward debt freedom is that I will have the money to deal with this a little at a time. If I still owed other bills it wouldn't be possible. I'm glad I can save my teeth and not be in debt forever to my dentist! I was panicked at first, but I'm over it now. It's going to be fine. =)
I found out that I have eight cavities, and she also recommended I have my wisdom teeth out. Now--I was really disheartened because 1) I have never had ANY cavities in my entire life until now, and 2) well...all this is going to be mega bucks! I am sure that had I gone to the dentist at all during the 2 year lapse, I could have prevented some of this.
Anyways...I feel good because I paid for the exam and cleaning in cash. It was $139. They let me decline the x-rays for now--I just had to sign a waiver that I couldn't sue for malpractice if they missed anything in my mouth not visible without them. Next month, I am having one of the cavities filled, and getting one type of x-rays done. The total cost for both procedures will be $190. I will be able to pay cash, again, if I am very frugal.
So basically--the game plan is to cash flow one cavity filling each month until they're all filled. My dentist said that it would take 6 months or more to them to get to the point of needing root canals (which would be close to $1,000 instead of $140 for a filling) so in the meantime I'm going to be super meticulous about my oral hygiene. Plus, in the summer when I'm working I could probably cash flow 2 per month. After talking to several people about my wisdom teeth, I have decided to wait until they are bothering me. Right now, they aren't. They aren't impacting other teeth and I have room in my mouth for them. They're just a nuisance for decay and stuff. Hopefully, I can put it off until after January 2010 when I'll have dental (next year I'm definitely making sure all the paperwork is done correctly!).
A definite bonus to my working toward debt freedom is that I will have the money to deal with this a little at a time. If I still owed other bills it wouldn't be possible. I'm glad I can save my teeth and not be in debt forever to my dentist! I was panicked at first, but I'm over it now. It's going to be fine. =)
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Dental Expenses
At the end of February, I have a dental appointment scheduled. I have not seen a dentist in over two years, because I was not insured. I was supposed to become insured as of January 1 through my employer, but due to a paperwork snafu, it didn't happen.
As a result, I have to pay for this dentist visit out of pocket (and all subsequent visits this year). I got the name of my new dentist from a co-worker. When I called, to schedule my first appointment, the receptionist said that the exam is $59, x-rays are $199, and cleanings start at $80 but it could be more based on the type of cleaning I need. I'm sure I'll need far more than the low-end one given the amount of time it's been since I last had a professional cleaning.
Ouch!
I already know I can't afford the x-rays--there's just no way I'm touching my summer money to do it. Going on a payment plan is out of the question, too. I'm going to firmly, but politely, explain to the dentist when I go that I do not believe in payment plans, and therefore will not allow x-rays to be done at this time. Hopefully, that will work. I have been warned that some dentists refuse to take you as a new patient unless you have the x-rays done, so I'm hoping that's not the case. What I can do though is promise that I will have the x-rays done over the summer, when I'll be working at a second job. I'd like to get my teeth cleaned 3 times a year from now on, anyway.
Provided he'll still do an exam, with no x-rays, and clean my teeth, I can pay for those out of pocket without touching savings--but it will make February a really tight month.
I wish I could just wait to go until I'm insured, but at this point that's not an option anymore. It's been too long, my mouth feels really yucky, and I don't want my teeth to rot and fall out (ha!). I'm lucky that in my 24 years, I have never had a cavity! =)
Any readers have tips on how to deal with explaining to a doctor that I cannot go into debt over dental or even just normal medical procedures, and therefore need to refuse a routine thing until I save more money?
As a result, I have to pay for this dentist visit out of pocket (and all subsequent visits this year). I got the name of my new dentist from a co-worker. When I called, to schedule my first appointment, the receptionist said that the exam is $59, x-rays are $199, and cleanings start at $80 but it could be more based on the type of cleaning I need. I'm sure I'll need far more than the low-end one given the amount of time it's been since I last had a professional cleaning.
Ouch!
I already know I can't afford the x-rays--there's just no way I'm touching my summer money to do it. Going on a payment plan is out of the question, too. I'm going to firmly, but politely, explain to the dentist when I go that I do not believe in payment plans, and therefore will not allow x-rays to be done at this time. Hopefully, that will work. I have been warned that some dentists refuse to take you as a new patient unless you have the x-rays done, so I'm hoping that's not the case. What I can do though is promise that I will have the x-rays done over the summer, when I'll be working at a second job. I'd like to get my teeth cleaned 3 times a year from now on, anyway.
Provided he'll still do an exam, with no x-rays, and clean my teeth, I can pay for those out of pocket without touching savings--but it will make February a really tight month.
I wish I could just wait to go until I'm insured, but at this point that's not an option anymore. It's been too long, my mouth feels really yucky, and I don't want my teeth to rot and fall out (ha!). I'm lucky that in my 24 years, I have never had a cavity! =)
Any readers have tips on how to deal with explaining to a doctor that I cannot go into debt over dental or even just normal medical procedures, and therefore need to refuse a routine thing until I save more money?
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