[abeni]

The past two days ive had intense pain in my top left second premolar, and i know that half the tooth has chipped off. It's been hurting me for months, but ive never had any money to go to the dentist, but today it is just so bad that I made an appointment for this afternoon. Now im terrified of how much this is going to cost me! I havent been to the dentist in years, so i know my teeth need some work done, but right now i just need to stop this pain. What are my likely options and how much will they cost? Im scared that i wont be able to afford to get it fixed and so it will just get pulled out.

eta: we dont have phi and credit cards are maxed

This post has been edited by abeni: 28/03/2012, 11:49 AM

[4ngiebella]

Maybe they can set up an account for you??? I know some places will do it, I'm not sure if it's normal practice everywhere though.

I've also heard that they do GE financing for dental work as well

[paddyboo]

If its been a long time and it is that sore they would probably have no choice but to pull it, unless you want to pay for root canal but it is a lot of money for something that may, or may not, work. At least an extraction isn't too bad, I think from memory about $200 and I would be calling up now and asking if they offer payment plans, if not, I would cancel and ring around until you find one that does.

[CharliMarley]

Isn't there a scheme where you can be referred by your doctor and the government help with the account - or is that only in Victoria? I would ask if you can pay a certain amount per week off the bill, some dentists do that.

[lynnemine]

if you live in a larger city, go to the dental hospital. Take your Health Care Card. It will be a bit of a wait, but much, much cheaper than a private dentist.

I am waiting for an appointment to see a student dentist (supervised by a normal one) and it is free. Bit of a wait, but it is better than me not seeing a dentist at all in the next year and I haven't seen one for 2 years before that.

[abeni]

lynnemine - no health care card either, DP earns too much for us to get it, but we have a lot of bills and no savings. I could probably afford around $300 with a little juggling of bills and asking to delay payments with certain debts, but anything more than that is really going to screw us up financially.

patricksmum - i know, im pretty certain it will just have to be pulled. A few years ago i had pain in the same tooth, and i was told it needed root canal but i couldnt afford it then either. The other option was to have it pulled.

Am i going to look ridiculous if this tooth gets pulled? Its the second tooth after the canine tooth.

[Laam]

I need a tooth pulled recently and it was $254, if you ring the dentist back the receptionist can advise on cost of having it pulled.

[Amanda_R]

Isn't there a scheme where you can be referred by your doctor and the government help with the account - or is that only in Victoria? I would ask if you can pay a certain amount per week off the bill, some dentists do that.

Are you talking about the 'Chronic Disease Dental Health Plan'? It's basically a scheme were if eligible, you can receive $4200 worth of dental work over two consecutive years. But you have to have more than one chronic illness to qualify (there are a range of illnesses that comply though). As far as I'm aware it's Australia wide.

You have to go to the GP and get an assessment and referral to a dentist, then the dentist will set up a plan for all your work. It's best to find a bulk billing dentist so you don't have to pay out of pocket and be reimbursed later.

But that's not really relevant if the OP doesn't qualify. Abeni I'd just ask if they will allow you to pay it off. Can't hurt to try.

[~*Twilight~Zone*...]

Can you join a fund that does 'join now, claim now'?

[LK1]

It may not be a good idea if you have credit cards that are maxed, but GE money do a health credit card (you can only use it for health issues) that does 12 months interest free. There would be a certain amount that you have to spend, and your dentist has to offer the service, but it can't hurt to ask.
DH got this when he had a root canal.