I am on medicare and I am currently having a lot of very expensive work done on my mouth. How do I afford it?
I looked for years for a decent dentist that would take Denti-cal. Good luck. Someone recommended using a dental school. There are 2 in San Francisco and another one in Davis. I chose University of the Pacific in SF. Every visit takes a minimum of 2 hours by the time the instructor authorizes the work the student thinks is appropriate; the student performs the work and the instructor re-checks it. Add in the 5 hours on busses that it takes to get there and back and you have literally spent all day for one dental appointment. That is the down side.
The up side is that I have had consultations with the best in periodontics, restorations and orthdontics. There is no way denti-cal would pay for this but because it is a school and they are looking to produce outstanding dentists, I win. The instructors are outstanding dentists from a variety of specialties who have left private practice to teach. The work my student does is first rate and in many cases, it is for a final grade.
I have been treated with compassion and respect. The school works with what ever insurance you have, and helps you set up a payment plan if the procedures are not covered. Most people I have talked to end up paying less than 1/2 what they would with a private dentist.
I have time. I don't have money. It works for me.
-AnnaLisa