Dentist visits can be costly. According to Humana, simple cleaning and polish may cost $75-200, while a root canal can cost $1,500 what are the laws?.
According to an American Dental Association research, 59 percent of American people delay dental treatment due to excessive prices.
Even dental insurance won’t cover everything. According to the California Health Care Foundation, commercial health insurance paid $62 billion for dental treatments in 2019, while individuals paid over $60 billion.
If you don’t have dental insurance or your insurance doesn’t cover all of your expenditures, dental financing may be an option.
Dental financing
It is a means to pay for expensive dental operations and aesthetic dentistry that your dental insurance may not cover. Because most dental insurance plans have an annual maximum benefit amount, you may still have to pay some out-of-pocket costs.
Many dentists offer payment plans for dental procedures not covered by insurance or exceeding the insurance’s maximum benefit amount. Some operations may be uninsured. Perhaps a dental loan is in order.
A dental loan is a personal loan to pay for dental expenses not covered by insurance.
If you need a personal loan to pay for a dental procedure, Credible can help you compare rates.
What is a dental loan, and how does it differ from other loans?
Dental loans are unsecured personal loans used to pay for dental treatment. No security is required. Dental loans have lower interest rates, smaller monthly payments, and better conditions than many personal loans, making them suitable for dental bills.
You may borrow based on the lender and your credit, but it is usually between $1,000 and $50,000. Even if you’re accepted for a dental loan, you’ll still need to pay your deductible before the loan kicks in.
What can I get a dental loan for?
A dental loan may be used to pay for several operations, including aesthetic dentistry.
- Crowns
- Implants
- Braces
- Tooth reshaping
- Dental care
- Tooth removal
- Cavity filling
Dental emergencies
Your dental loan may not cover all procedures. Some loans, for example, may only cover conventional dental treatment and not aesthetic operations. Before going to the dentist, confirm what functions the lender covers.
What are the benefits of dental financing?
Like other financing solutions, dental financing has its benefits and drawbacks.
Pros
- Various methods
- When your insurance benefit is maxed out
- Interest rates lower than certain personal loans
- Payable sums
- Repayment options
Cons
- Requires interest repayment
- Qualifying with bad credit may be difficult.
- Requires a credit check, which might harm your score
- The application and origination costs for certain loans
- You accrue new debt.
Applying for a Dental Loan
In some instances, third-party dental loans are available online or via specific dental facilities. Repayment periods, interest rates, and prequalification vary by lender. Applying for a dental loan is similar to applying for a personal loan.
Your credit score and debt-to-income ratio determine loan approval, rates, and terms. Dental loans are unsecured, so the lender assumes the entire risk. Thus, your credit score is essential. If you have bad credit and have time, strive to repair it by paying on time and paying off your debt.
- Prequalifying helps you determine your annual percentage rate (APR). Prequalifying has no impact on your credit score since the lender pulls a mild draw. Providing basic personal information like annual income and bank statements will help you get prequalified.
- Obtain quotes. But not all banks or credit unions provide dental loans. Discover a few that do and compare APR, loan amounts, and payback periods to find the best dental loan for you.
- Collect the required paperwork. Your lender will ask for recent pay stubs and tax returns. Having them makes the application for a dental loan much more straightforward.
- Request a dental loan. When applying for a dental loan, the lender will run a hard credit check to see if you qualify. If you’re accepted for a loan, you might have your money in a few days, but it depends on the lender.
Can I receive a Bad Credit Dental Loan?
You may acquire a dental loan with low credit, but your interest rate and conditions may be more than with good to exceptional credit. The lender assumes the entire repayment risk as unsecured. Bad credit makes you a riskier borrower. Your credit score, the better your rates and conditions.
Dental Loan Alternatives
Dental loans aren’t the only option to pay for non-covered services. Here are some additional payment alternatives.
A Medical Credit Card
Medical credit cards are meant to pay for medical expenses. Interest starts accruing the day you charge the card. A medical credit card should cover dental services before applying.
0% APR credit cards
Some credit cards offer 0% APR for a limited time. Payments made during that period are free of interest. If you pay off your debt after the particular time expires, you’ll be charged interest at the standard rate. And read the small print: You may have to pay interest from the date of your first transaction.
Financers
Many dental practices provide third-party patient and consumer financing. These dental-specific provider financing alternatives might provide flexible periods and low rates. Your credit score will affect the prices and conditions you may get.
But read the APR and small print before you join up: Longer repayment durations indicate higher interest rates, whereas shorter terms mean larger monthly payments.
