Whether you have insurance or not, the costs of some dental services can seem overwhelming. Fortunately, there are ways that you can bring your dental bills within reason so that you can afford to get the dental work you need. Here are five tips for helping you manage your dental bills.

Negotiate With Your Dentist

If you do not have dental insurance, try negotiating a price for services with him or her. It is important that you negotiate with your dentist before you have costly procedures performed. This leaves you free to take your business to another dentist if you need to.

If you already have insurance, the chances of negotiating a lower price are reduced. Your dentist's prices probably already have a built-in discount that is designed to attract more customers from insurance providers.  Offer to pay cash upfront for a discount of five to 10 percent. 

Barter With the Dentist

Your dentist might be willing to barter services with you in exchange for a discount on services. For instance, if you are a web designer, offer to design a website for your dentist in exchange for a discount on your dental implants. 

In fact, there are some dentists that participate in local barter exchanges. Search for local exchanges in your area to get the best price for your dental procedures. 

Ask for a Payment Plan

Some dental procedures can be very expensive. For instance, dental implants can be thousands of dollars for one tooth. Talk to your dentist about setting up a payment plan if you cannot afford all of the fees upfront. 

Most dentist already have a payment plan system in place that would allow you to get the procedure needed after you pay a portion of the fees. If not, do not be afraid to ask your dentist about setting one up. 

Apply for Financing

There are several dental financing companies that offer help with paying for dental procedures to qualified individuals. You might have to meet certain credit requirements to be eligible to receive help. Review the terms of the financing agreement before signing a contract. You want to be sure you understand the terms and can afford to make payments on time. 

Dental procedures can be costly, but fortunately, there are ways you can pay for the services that you need. Talk to your dentist if you are concerned with the costs. He or she might have some additional suggestions for paying your dental bill.

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