Can I Afford Dental Care?

Is there a reason you have not seen a dentist this year? If it has been over a year since you have visited the dentist, you are not alone – in 2012, only 35.4% of working-age Americans visited the dentist1. Why are so few American adults getting the dental care they need? 

According to a 2014 study by the American Dental Association’s Health Policy Institute, cost ranks among the top reasons American adults cite for not visiting a dentist. The study states that from the years 2000-2012, the percentage of Americans with private dental insurance benefits declined, as did their rate of utilizing dental services. While dental care services for children increased over the same period, the trend for American adults is worrisome: studies show that fully one-third of American adults lack dental insurance, and two-thirds of seniors have no dental coverage. 

Cost is consistently cited as one of the top reasons why adults indicate they do not intend to visit a dentist in the next 12 months. Avoidance of the dentist due to cost is a key reason cited by adults across all ages and income levels. So how can we address this obstacle so that all Americans receive the dental care they need? At La Mesa Hills Dentistry, Dr. Paul Fjeldsted has made it his mission to provide high quality, affordable dental treatment in a friendly, comfortable environment. 

La Mesa Hills Dentistry was created to address the most common barriers to accessing dental care. Some patients have the benefit of dental insurance sharing the cost of their treatment.  For those that do not have access to insurance, Dr. Fjeldsted and La Mesa Hills Dentistry have created an in-office dental plan. With two levels of coverage to choose from, these dental plans provide you with the care you need at a price you can afford. There are no copays or deductibles, only an annual membership fee. With these plans there is no dealing with denial of claims, pre-approvals, or annual maximums. Best of all, there is no waiting. You can enroll today and your benefits begin immediately! A great option for patients who currently have no dental insurance, these plans will provide you with the means to get the oral healthcare that you deserve. 

Dr. Paul Fjeldsted and the La Mesa Hills Dentistry staff do not want there to be any barriers to your access to quality dental care. In addition to the in-house dental plans, La Mesa Hills Dentistry also offers several options for no-interest financing, and welcomes patients who prefer to pay cash for their services. So are you ready to smile? Don’t let cost stop you from obtaining the dental services you need. Call 619-469-2902 or visit www.lamesahillsdentistry.com to learn more about how you can afford dental care. Book an appointment with La Mesa Hills Dentistry today! 

1Yarbrough C, Nasseh K, Vujicic M. Why adults forgo dental care: Evidence from a new national survey. Health Policy Institute Research Brief. American Dental Association. November 2014. Available from: http://www.ada.org/~/media/ADA/Science%20and%20Research/HPI/Files/HPIBrief_1114_1.ashx.