How to Discount Dental Services

According to Colgate, most patients should visit their dentist twice a year for a cleaning and checkup. Each of these visits consists of charges for the cleaning itself, X-rays and the dental exam. You can take steps to significantly lower the costs of this care.

Things You'll Need

• Phone book
• Phone
• Coupon

Show More

Instructions

Discounted Dental Services

• 1

  Pay in full.

  Ask your dentist if he gives discounts to patients who pay their bill in full. Many patients are late paying their medical bills, so some dentists offer a discount for full payment as an incentive. Talk to your dentist about this at the time of service. If he doesn't generally offer this discount, ask if he would be willing to make a one-time exception for you.

• 2

  Ask about friends and family discounts.

  If you are seeing a new dentist for the first time, make sure to tell him who referred you. See if he gives any special "friends and family" discounts to new patients who were referred by an established client. If you are already an established patient of a dental practice, call and see if they can give you any sort of discount if you refer a certain number of new patients to their office.

• 3

  Use a coupon.

  In an effort to reach new patients, many dentists send out coupon mailers. These coupon packs can be for things such as "$100 off any service" or "free whitening kit with first visit." If you haven't received any coupons in the mail recently, call a few local dental offices and see if they have any promotions going on and if they'd be willing to send you a coupon.

• 4

  Check your local state dental organization.

  Each state has a dental association designed specifically to meet the dental needs of low-income persons. You can find out how to reach your local state dental organization on the American Dental Association website.

• 5

  Visit your local dental school.

  College campuses that have a dental or hygienist program usually offer low-cost dental exams. This gives the student a chance to practice on as many new patients as possible. Some campuses offer a wide range of discounted dental services, but most offer only general cleanings.