Suggestions for wisdom teeth pull without insurance? (prices, move to)

[Jkgourmet]

One more option is purchasing a dental discount plan that acts like dental insurand. Those in the plan can go to a participating dentist and get discounted prices. Specialists are included.

Please note that many of these types of discount plans for medical, dental and perscription services are scams. I personally have used Southwest Dental (Affordable Dental Plans | Arizona Dental Insurance Plans by Southwest Dental Plan) for many years - VERY happily. Good, extensive list of local dentists and specialist who accept the lower prices, generally the SAME contracted price they would receive from an insurance plan.

(PM me if you would like the name of the dentist in Chandler we have used for over ten years, both when we had insurance and with SW Dental plan. I'd post his name here, but I don't know if that is appropriate for this forum.)

[kenji24]

I just got of the phone with my AHCCCS provider and the person stated that dental emergencies are covered and that constant pain is considered an emergency situation.
I hope that helps someone!

[Zippyman]

Originally Posted by kenji24

I just got of the phone with my AHCCCS provider and the person stated that dental emergencies are covered and that constant pain is considered an emergency situation.
I hope that helps someone!

Well, ahcccs isnt available to much of the population and dental insurance in the US often leaves a lot to be desired. I can be *in* algodones sitting in my dentist's chair in three hours, that includes drive time, stopping for a McMuffin & getting gas. Fillings are $25, crowns are $140, and I think extractions are about $80, if I remember correctly. Even with insurance, I've been getting my dental work done in mexico. The idea that some random US dentist in a strip mall is always better qualified than my dentist in Mexico hasnt been my experience. I've had some expensive hackery done on this side of the border as well.

[azriverfan.]

I have mixed feelings on this. I think the dental industry is a racket and gets away with so much abuse because it's not a part of Medicare. As a result dentists can essentially charge whatever they want and get away with it. Even with dental insurance, a dentist can charge more than what their insurance covers. For example, I can't tell a patient "You're insurance only pays me $300 for the cath so you owe me an additional $700 that your insurance doesn't cover" In the medical field, if I accept a certain insurance carrier, I'm required to accept whatever they reimburse me. Dentists aren't under the same obligation. A dentist can say "Your insurance only reimburses me $800 and you owe an extra $1200 for your fillings." I think dental care in Mexico is very reasonable. And in most cases, patients do really well there. If I had a choice, I would still pay more and elect to have work done here. If I was desperate, I would go to Mexico as long as I was willing to accept the risks that are associated with it. The primary concern is the lack of legal recourse should anything go wrong. Not only will you not be compensated for poor work, but the practioner is under less pressure to perform careful work. Furthermore, they have different regulatory committees with regard to safety and health standards. You don't have the same organizations requiring those facilities to maintain the same safety standards. But yes, I know people who travel to Nogales for dental care and swear by it.

[Guitarmaan]

On this subject, how much would the dental school charge a patient for a filling for example? I assume they still charge people even though they are effectively guinea pigs

A filling may cost $25 in Mexico, but you have to add the fuel cost and cost of your time. It's basically a full day trip.

[Roger427]

If you all think dentists are bad, wait until you see an eye doctor. They rank right up there with car salesman. Back on topic, I have no experience with Mexico dentists buy a family member has and they had no issues. I have dental insurance and still pay through the nose for work. My dental costs have exceeded medical costs when I factor in the amount of the insurance plus my share. I've checked into the plans that someone else brought up but don't have a warm fuzzy on any of them. Good luck to your friend but I wouldn't rule out Mexico.

[Zippyman]

Originally Posted by Guitarmaan

On this subject, how much would the dental school charge a patient for a filling for example? I assume they still charge people even though they are effectively guinea pigs

A filling may cost $25 in Mexico, but you have to add the fuel cost and cost of your time. It's basically a full day trip.

I looked into one of the local schools a couple of years ago - you make an appointment, and they decide if they want to do the work or not. Fillings & such were inexpensive, but they needed to do a full set of x-rays & if I remember correctly it was. around $150 ~ish to evaluate your current condition - and if your mouth was in bad shape, they reserved the right to send you packing.

You are correct that not many people would spend six hours in a car for a $25 filling - many people need a lot more work than that, especially if the've been delaying dental work for years due to cost. If you need a couple crowns and a half-dozen fillings, you are in another ballpark cost-wise.

[Roger427]

Originally Posted by Zippyman

I looked into one of the local schools a couple of years ago - you make an appointment, and they decide if they want to do the work or not. Fillings & such were inexpensive, but they needed to do a full set of x-rays & if I remember correctly it was. around $150 ~ish to evaluate your current condition - and if your mouth was in bad shape, they reserved the right to send you packing.

Is wisdom tooth extraction always done by a dentist or does it require an oral surgeon? If so, are oral surgeons still at the same school? I'm not 100% sure but believe I had to go to oral surgeon many years ago because wisdom teeth were impacted.

[Ponderosa]

An impacted wisdom tooth costs $170 at a reputable dental group in Los Algodones (Mexico)

[ysr_racer]

A buddy of mine was the head dentist at the Chino Women's prison in Chino CA. I asked him about Mexican dental work. He said he saw it all the time, and it was ALWAYS sub par.

He always ended up redoing it. He had nothing to gain by telling me that.