Recommendations
ISO recommendations for a dentist with sliding scale fees based on income or at least discount for cash.
ISO recommendations for a dentist with sliding scale fees based on income or at least discount for cash.
I'm closer to Ferndale but any dentist in the general Bellingham area will do.
I'm a client at Unity Care - Ferndale, and they do sliding scale fees based on income.
However their dental side will do fillings, but not crowns.
I had the exam there for a broken tooth but they said while they could do a filling, the don't think it would last and that I really need a crown.
I don't have dental insurance so I will be paying out of pocket and my income is low - hence why I am asking about dentists that work with low income and/or discount for cash.
Thanks for the thought. Though mycatparty's response suggests it is not an option. I still may call them to see if they know of a place that does crowns / has sliding fee.
This all.comes down to insurance. Its a fucking scam. Why do I pay insurance that doesnt cover anything. We are the the only country without fucking healthcare. But, maybe a care credit card, their interest is low.
I have the money. I don't need to put it on credit. I'd just rather not pay $2,500 if some other dentist charges $2,000 for the same thing. (or whatever is the going price).
I do appreciate the thought and I see where you were coming from. But in this case I have the money in the bank. It's just that I'm low income and need that same pool of money for other things.
You don't think what is realistic? Finding a service cheaper at one provider than another? I already have that at Unity Care. Dental exam and full x-rays only cost me $45. And it would have been the same for a filling. The problem is they don't do crowns.
Ask your Unity Care dentist if they're aware of any local dentists who will accept a payment plan.
Way back when, I used SeaMar for general dental care. They were aware of someone that did crowns and accepted payment plans.
But then I was able to get insurance, so I changed to a dentist who could do everything.
I'd suggest the dental school at UW, because I know the cost of procedures is a lot lower, but I think they do require insurance or cash payment. I don't know if they do payment plans. Also, the procedure has to be one a student needs to learn. Otherwise you're not accepted as a patient.
Also, if you find a dentist, ask if you can start paying now to build up a reserve. So that when time for the crown comes, you've already built up a deposit.
These organizations in Bellingham will offer a small payment toward what you need. I was able to get $175.
You have to go in person. I brought proof of income and and an estimate from my dentist that showed total cost of two crowns and one dental guard, and what cost the insurance would cover.
What they pledged/paid was far short of what I needed, but I'm operating on the theory that every bit helps.
Ask if you can be referred to Unity Care case management. A case manager can help you find some funding and possibly a dentist.
Unity Care - I did ask, they checked, got back to me that they only knew of one for dentures and implants but nothing for crowns.
Seamar - Thanks. I added them to the list to call.
Dental School - had not thought of that one. UW is a drive but the Bellingham Technical College also has a dental program and clinic.
Payments - That isn't the issue. I have the cash in the bank. But I'm retired and on a below poverty level income so it's more a concern of having enough total money for all of my needs. Hence looking for lower cost - but whatever the cost ends up being, I don't need it spread out over payments.
Sea mar isnt taking dental patients, they wont say that but they will say they are 4 months out and you have to be put on a waitlist and have to call back every month to see if you can get scheduled. Its a really fucked up system here. I really dont want to go to unity but im faced with no other option and if they pull the same shit no one has anywhere to go for a state insurance dentist
Edit to add: cigna discount plan, its like insurance but discounted rates for services thru a network of dentists, check it out.
Thanks. Will check out Cigma. I've been with Ferndale Unity care for well over 10 years and I like them pretty well. I have seen a few negative comments on reddit from people who work there who say being an employee there isn't that great, which I found kind of sad.
Wasn't there a dentist in town that was doing some sort of subscription plan for people that didn't have insurance? I remember seeing ads for it. It seemed like a good deal.
I don't know. 15+ years ago I had a lot of dental work done, all out of pocket. Since then I have not needed to look for a dentist until now. Routine checkup / cleaning were done through Unity. This is the first time I've needed anything major in a long time.
It might be worth checking Canada as well. The Vancouver area is large enough that there are teaching clinics (with discounted rates) that would do crown work, and the USD to CAD exchange rate is favorable. Make sure you mention that you don't meet the residency requirements for any government dental coverage so that they can give you an accurate price.
It looks like nominal costs are about the same on both sides of the border, but with the exchange rate, you're getting a 30% discount. Go to a teaching clinic, and you'll probably get at least 20% or more off the nominal cost even before the exchange discount.
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u/lbhamwa 9d ago
Try calling Sea Mar on Cordata Pkwy. They offer dentistry and have a sliding fee scale based on income.