An appointment at the dentist’s office can be unnerving. And yet, one of the most common reasons people delay dental treatment is cost, not fear. This is especially true in Canada, where our regular access to free healthcare coverage can make unexpected dental premiums seem even worse than they really are. Even if you are currently taking advantage of a Health Spending Account, there are some compelling reasons to make an effort to lower your dental costs. Because most HSA plans require that you cover the expense up front and then wait for a reimbursement cheque in the mail, the costs of extensive operations such as root canals and crowns can still be untenable for some. Read on to learn a few ways to keep your dental healthcare costs down so that no treatment is out of reach!

• Shop around! Just like you would after receiving an unfavourable diagnoses, it can be worth your while to seek a second opinion in the dental world. Often, procedural capacities vary from clinic to clinic, and two dentists may have two drastically different pricing and treatment options for whatever condition you are dealing with. Though time is money, the time you invest in seeking a second opinion could save you a lot, especially considering how easy it is to access information with a quick phone call or Google search these days.
• Consider low-cost clinics. Some communities have constructed specialty health-care centers that offer dental and medical services that are priced based on the client’s ability to pay. Though you may encounter a long line or find yourself placed at the bottom of a waiting list, these community health centers can save you serious money. Place a call to your local health department to find a low-cost clinic nearby.
• Help a student, help yourself. Consider approaching dental hygiene schools. As part of their program, many hygienists are required to locate patients, and after exhausting their family and friend options, will sometimes even solicit people on the street. Save them the trouble, and yourself the cost, and submit yourself to a supervised cleaning by a student. These services are often basic, and will not help you when needing extensive dental treatments, but they are offered at discounted rates, and are sometimes even free.