What Factors Determine the Cost of Dental Care?

Learn about the factors that determine dental care costs and how pay-per-dental service can help you choose your own dentist.

What Factors Determine the Cost of Dental Care?

When it comes to dental care, there can be a wide range of prices for the same procedure from different providers. This is because individual dental offices set their own prices based on the costs of doing business, such as rent, salaries, insurance, and supplies. Uninsured patients may also be charged different prices for the same procedure since they don't have any contracted payment plans to comply with. Market forces, such as competition, the demography of the area, and the life cycle of the office, also play a role in determining cost structure.Surprisingly, there is often little correlation between quality and price.

Of the 122 general dentists listed in our rating tables and who receive our highest quality rating, 47 quoted lower than average rates to our buyers. When it comes to dental x-rays, adults with healthy teeth typically don't need to repeat them as often as children. If you don't have any pre-existing conditions, you can usually wait close to three years before getting another x-ray. However, you may be asked to repeat them every one to two years.Dentists usually accept most dental insurance benefits.

However, depending on your dentist's payment policy, you may have to pay the full fee at the time of service regardless of whether your insurance covers it or not. Your dentist may also require you to pay for treatment costs at the time of service and that your insurance company reimburse you later. In some cases, you may be allowed to pay your co-pay after the insurance portion has been estimated.Pay-per-dental service is an option for those with dental insurance who want to choose their own dentist rather than being limited to dentists who have accepted the insurer's rate list in a predetermined insurance plan or network. This allows newly insured people to stay with a trusted dentist rather than having to switch to a participating provider.