We are living in a difficult and uncertain economy. The rise in unemployment along with the housing market crash has forced many to cut back on spending and make necessary sacrifices. Unfortunately, countless people are delaying medical or dental care as part of their cutbacks and there is an increasing trend, nationwide, in patients postponing or declining care because of finances.
To help patients afford orthodontic care, most offices now provide incentives and various payment options. The majority of these plans require a small or sometimes no down payment followed by monthly payments for the duration of treatment.
Another option called Care Credit is available in most offices. This is basically a credit card strictly reserved for dental/orthodontic treatment. The application process is similar to a credit card and just like any purchase on a credit card there are various options for repayment. The card has various interest rates depending on the length of the repayment plan. Any office will be more than glad to explain the details.
To help lower the cost of treatment, most dental insurances also provide some form of orthodontic coverage. Depending on your dental insurance, either an allowance is made for orthodontic care or the participating doctor will provide treatment at a reduced fee. Please check with your insurance and inform the orthodontic office about your coverage.
I strongly believe in making orthodontic care affordable to all my patients because of its life changing benefits. In our office the initial consultation is always complimentary. Furthermore we offer all our patients a zero interest payment plan for the entire duration of treatment. A small, initial down payment is collected during the records appointment and covers the cost of the x-rays, photos, and study models. Then affordable monthly payments are made for the length of treatment. This way one can obtain outstanding orthodontic care with minimal monthly fees.
Health is an invaluable investment and should be a top priority. The benefits of a healthy individual are countless and should not be ignored because of hard economic times. It is true that orthodontic care can be quite expensive but its benefits far outweigh the cost. It should also be looked as a lifelong investment and not a onetime expense.
Dr. Reza Salmassian is a Board Certified Orthodontist and specializes in orthodontics for children and adults. For any questions regarding this article or to schedule your complimentary orthodontic evaluation, please contact Dr. Salmassian’s office located at 661-222-7444. The office is located at the Bridgeport Marketplace, 24001 Newhall Ranch Road, Suite 220 in Valencia.