Making Michigan Smiles More Affordable: A Parents’ Guide to Cutting Dental Costs

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Kids are great, but they’re also expensive. Just when you think you’ve gotten rid of one expense, another crops up again. From diapers to prom wear, it just never stops!

When it comes to medical care, coverage is available, but dental falls short. “Dental care remains one of the most unmet needs for children, particularly in low-income and rural areas,” says director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), Elizabeth Herzel. But smart Michigan mamas and dads can gather information to find out how to save.

This article provides helpful hints.

Common Dental Expenses Through the Years

Care Credit provides estimates of dental treatments in Michigan, as follows:

Cleanings and Checkups: $218 per visit- typically, visits are biannual, and if you have multiple kids, look out!
Fillings: Most dentists use composite resin, which costs $226 a pop. Make sure your kids keep their teeth clean.
Wisdom Tooth Removal: This common requirement for older kids can cost $3,340 for four impacted teeth.
Braces: A nice, straight smile can be as much as $6000.

How Michigan Mamas Can Keep Dental Costs Low

Fortunately, Michigan is doing a lot to help parents afford dental care for their children. Here are some programs and initiatives that may save your wallet.

Michigan’s Healthy Kids Dental Program

The MDHHS is updating requirements for dental plans that provide services to 955,000 kids through Medicaid and Michigan’s Healthy Kids Dental (MKD) program. The program is automatically available to families that enroll their child in Medicaid, so make sure your kid is signed up.

MDHHS is also encouraging providers to participate in the program. If your provider is not enrolled, consider asking them to do so.

Families that make too much for Medicaid but still need help affording dental bills can look into the MIChild CHIP program or consider county health department clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) that accept sliding-scale payments. You may also call 2-1-1 or visit your local health department and search ‘dental’ to find out about other public programs.

Community Outreach

The Michigan Dental Association and local dental societies fund grassroots programs to provide free and low-cost care and education to children throughout the state. For example, you can find “Smile on Wheels” clinics and Give Kids a Smile events in cities like Macomb, Oakland, Detroit, Muskegon, and Kalamazoo. Families that attend can take advantage of reduced-cost basic services, toothbrush giveaways, and other special offers.

New Clinics

Inexpensive care is hard to find, and families who need low-cost dental services may struggle to get appointments and access the best dentists. Fortunately, community health centers are expanding throughout the state. For example, the Cass Family Clinic’s Board of Directors recently opened the Niles facility, a 4,500-square-foot department offering 12 treatment rooms, a full spectrum of dental services, and wheelchair access.

Other Ways to Save

Dental Schools

Dental schools offer care at reduced prices. The University of Michigan School of Dentistry in Ann Arbor is a recommended option. However, there are hygiene and community schools throughout the state, ensuring you will find one near you.

Ask About Cash-Pay Discounts or Membership Plans

Many dental offices understand that care is expensive and offer lower prices to uninsured clients. Others provide:

Cash discounts to clients who pay in full
Membership plans- Members pay an annual fee for access to lower-cost services throughout the year

Ask your provider about these plans to find out how you can save.

Keep Insurance Costs Low

Families considering dental insurance can employ several strategies to keep expenses low. Here are some to consider:

Choose the Right Plan: Basic PPOs and HMOs are low-cost plans that may be best for young children who don’t have many dental issues.
Stay in Network: In-network dentists tend to charge less.
Maximize Free Preventive Care: Most plans offer services like two cleanings per year, exams, x-rays, and fluoride for kids. Take advantage of the preventative care to avoid expensive problems later.
Consider Your Three Numbers: The deductible is what you pay each year before insurance starts paying for services. Coinsurance is the percentage you pay after the deductible, and the annual maximum is the most you will pay in a year. If your child needs work beyond the deductible or the maximum, ask your dentist if they can put it off until next year.

Preventative Care

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. No phrase can ring truer when applied to dental care. Tell your kids to use simple precautions like:

Brushing twice daily, and rinsing and flossing once a day
Getting services like fluoride varnish and sealants
Protecting teeth by using a mouthguard when playing sports

Consider an HSA or FSA

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) offer tax advantages, allowing you to set aside money for qualified health costs like deductibles, copays, prescriptions, and over-the-counter medications. They work like a debit card, automatically deducting funds for qualified expenses.

FSAs, which are available only through employers, will deduct money from your paycheck on a pre-tax basis. HSAs, which are privately owned and require a high-deductible health plan (HDHP), deduct funds from your health account.

Additionally:

HSAs are portable; you own the account, and funds roll over every year. FSAs are tied to your employer and are not portable.
HSAs can be invested and grow over time. FSAs are not typically investment accounts.

Payment Plans

Payment plans don’t lower costs, but they allow families to spread payments over time, making them easier to afford. Although your dentist may offer a payment plan, most will use a financing system that specializes in medical care, such as Cherry.com or Lending Club. They work like credit cards, letting you charge the cost of treatment to the card and pay it off over time.

It’s best to choose a card that doesn’t charge interest, especially not in the first few months, giving you a chance to pay off your debt without it building up.

Well, Michigan mamas, now you know what to do to keep your kids healthy and save money at the same time. Which option will you choose?

*This article is based on personal suggestions and/or experiences and is for informational purposes only. This should not be used as professional advice. Please consult a professional where applicable.