Cant afford dental care

Have several problems with my teeth and since I quit smoking things have got worse. Have had toothache for 3 weeks and taking pain killers every 6 hours. Problem is that I simply cannot afford to pay for fillings or extractions and I dont qualify for free dental.
Any suggestions on getting really cheap dental care?

DublinDilbert

You need to get that sorted and not be taking pain killers continuously, which cost you money anyway.

I'm not sure if they do it here, but maybe some of the dental colleges look for people to practice on?

Either way, get it looked at, you can't be in pain continuously.

Dianthus

Shop around, ask a friend/family member for a loan,divert the money that was originally being spent on cigarettes into a fund for your teeth (cigarettes are expensive too!). Continually taking painkillers is crazy,there's a quick fix if you choose to avail of it....see a dentist.

helimachoptor

Agree with all of the above. Taking over the counter painkillers will mask the problem until its really bad.

If you've been taking OTC pain killers at lets sat 3 euro for a box of 12 and taking 2 at a time, you're taking 8 each day.. that adds up and also isnt good for you.

helimachoptor

helimachoptor wrote: »

Agree with all of the above. Taking over the counter painkillers will mask the problem until its really bad.

If you've been taking OTC pain killers at lets sat 3 euro for a box of 12 and taking 2 at a time, you're taking 8 each day.. that adds up and also isnt good for you.

The cigarettes were quit as i could no longer afford to smoke them. The painkillers are dirt cheap anyway and costing about 50c per day. My Anti-depressants knock me out at night so that helps cut down on the painkillers.
Why do dentists charge to just take a look at your mouth and give an estimate on repairs? When ever i get a quote for work to be carried out the assessment is usually free.
I tried asking one dentist if I could get a reduction on the cost of an extraction if I opted to go without anesthetic and they toldme no. They don't accept any form of payment plan as they insist all work carried out must be paid for at the visit.
Saving up will take a few months to cover the checkup, obligatory xray and first filling. They seem to be very unwilling to negotiate on price and refuse to discuss treatment options until after a checkup.

dearg lady

Deleted User wrote: »

Saving up will take a few months to cover the checkup, obligatory xray and first filling. They seem to be very unwilling to negotiate on price and refuse to discuss treatment options until after a checkup.

It's rare that I ever have to get an x-ray. If you're working you should be entitled to one check up a year for free. If you're not working can you apply for a medical card? Or try the Dental Hospital.

helimachoptor

Deleted User wrote: »

Why do dentists charge to just take a look at your mouth and give an estimate on repairs? When ever i get a quote for work to be carried out the assessment is usually free.
I tried asking one dentist if I could get a reduction on the cost of an extraction if I opted to go without anesthetic and they toldme no. They don't accept any form of payment plan as they insist all work carried out must be paid for at the visit.
Saving up will take a few months to cover the checkup, obligatory xray and first filling. They seem to be very unwilling to negotiate on price and refuse to discuss treatment options until after a checkup.

unforunately they are providing a service and if they werent seeing you, they may be getting paid for work on someone else at that time.

A dentist will not put you through an extraction without a local (i presume they take the hypocratic oath :eek:) and frankly no decent human (never mind dentist) would do something like that.

Not to get into costs on this OP, but they are what they are. Also a dentist will not give a payment plan on a filling as tbh you(people) arent likely to pay once the filling is done.

Can you get a loan from a family member?

KindOfIrish

Deleted User wrote: »

Any suggestions on getting really cheap dental care?

I would emigrate to an EU country, where dental care is free or very cheap.

digzy

KindOfIrish wrote: »

I would emigrate to an EU country, where dental care is free or very cheap.

Could you elaborate on this oasis of free dental care....wonder would i be able to get free accountancy, insurance, oil, electricity.................:rolleyes:

Squiggle

Deleted User wrote: »

Problem is that I simply cannot afford to pay for fillings or extractions and I dont qualify for free dental.
Any suggestions on getting really cheap dental care?

You might be better off spending the €229 on your gob ! :pac:

Oral Surgeon

Deleted User wrote: »

Have several problems with my teeth and since I quit smoking things have got worse. Have had toothache for 3 weeks and taking pain killers every 6 hours. Problem is that I simply cannot afford to pay for fillings or extractions and I dont qualify for free dental.
Any suggestions on getting really cheap dental care?

Deleted User wrote: »

Anyone had experience of the Blackberry tablet? Had a quick demo in pc world today and it seems really fast and responsive to use. Only €229 which seems a good price. I have only ever used Android so know nothing of Blackberry.

You need to get your priorities straight. I have great sympathy for people who are in pain and really cannot afford necessary treatment but this is taking the p***

srsly78

Go to Community Welfare Officer, surely this counts as a valid reason for an exceptional payment.

Just don't tell them you blow all your money on expensive gadgets.

Mr Benevolent

Deleted User wrote: »

Problem is that I simply cannot afford to pay for fillings or extractions and I dont qualify for free dental.
Any suggestions on getting really cheap dental care?

There's no such thing as 'free dental' in Ireland.

ballsymchugh

Confab wrote: »

There's no such thing as 'free dental' in Ireland.

or anywhere else. someone always pays for it.

wilson10

I go to Northern Ireland where dental work is considerably cheaper.

My experience of dentists in the south is of being ripped off.

My son went for a check up about five or six years ago, on my advice, as he was heading to Australia for six months.

Check and clean, about 10 or 12 minutes, 80 euro, absolute rip off.

He wasn't happy with me and still ribs me about it.

srsly78

There are lots of cheap dental surgeries in Ireland these days, shop around. Eastern European dentists :pac:

helimachoptor

wilson10 wrote: »

I go to Northern Ireland where dental work is considerably cheaper.

My experience of dentists in the south is of being ripped off.

My son went for a check up about five or six years ago, on my advice, as he was heading to Australia for six months.

Check and clean, about 10 or 12 minutes, 80 euro, absolute rip off.

He wasn't happy with me and still ribs me about it.

tbh if he's going to Oz he should be well able to make his own decisions about his dental care or lack of. When you consider say 2 check ups a year

so €160... €3.07c a week.. honestly a less than a pint of beer, a couple of bottles of coke, a bag and a half of chips.

It's not a lot and when you consider it will most likely detect any major issues before they become major.

Dianthus

wilson10 wrote: »

about five or six years ago
Check and clean, about 10 or 12 minutes, 80 euro, absolute rip off.

Celtic Tiger years? Would be interesting to revisit the same place nowadays, I'd imagine you'd have a slightly difference experience;)

The Tablet is not for me and its not my money. Its my son who is getting it.
It does appear that if you go outside the major urban areas, some of the dentists are a lot more open to negotiation and prices can vary hugely as i am discovering.
As for the comments about extraction without anesthesia.... I don't understand why not. I am scared sh1tless of the dentist needle, dont mind any of the other stuff. Many years ago I had a great dentist in the UK and had many fillings done without anesthesia. Its not barbaric by any means.

helimachoptor

Deleted User wrote: »

The Tablet is not for me and its not my money. Its my son who is getting it.
It does appear that if you go outside the major urban areas, some of the dentists are a lot more open to negotiation and prices can vary hugely as i am discovering.
As for the comments about extraction without anesthesia.... I don't understand why not. I am scared sh1tless of the dentist needle, dont mind any of the other stuff. Many years ago I had a great dentist in the UK and had many failings done without anesthesia. Its not barbaric by any means.

I'm not a dentist and tbh needles dont bother me but... (one of the dentists can correct me) if they hit a root with a drill i''m sure you'd know about it.

Also an extraction is a lot more traumatic than a filling.

queensinead

Paying for dental care is a real problem for many people who are struggling with mortgages, childcare, paycuts.

This is especially true of emergency dental care. If you need a crown or a root canal, where in God's name are you expected to get that kind of money, given what dentists charge in Ireland?

People complain about paying household charges. You hear a lot of "Where will I get the money when I've paid all my other household bills?"

Wait until you have a serious dental problem, and get a quote from your dentist. At least you won't be worrying about the household charge for a while.

helimachoptor

queensinead wrote: »

Paying for dental care is a real problem for many people who are struggling with mortgages, childcare, paycuts.

This is especially true of emergency dental care. If you need a crown or a root canal, where in God's name are you expected to get that kind of money, given what dentists charge in Ireland?

People complain about paying household charges. You hear a lot of "Where will I get the money when I've paid all my other household bills?"

Wait until you have a serious dental problem, and get a quote from your dentist. At least you won't be worrying about the household charge for a while.

Preventative maintenance is always cheaper that emergency work, this is the same if its a plumbing issue, car issue etc it's not exclusive to dentistry.

however I guarantee you most people would go around toothless than car-less.

Go to the dentist every 6 months for a checkup and the number of expensive dental emergencies you suffer will be a lot loss than if you dont go.

Im saying that as a person who's had to cracked molars and faced a bill of 4500 to fix them.

wilson10

helimachoptor wrote: »

tbh if he's going to Oz he should be well able to make his own decisions about his dental care or lack of. When you consider say 2 check ups a year

so €160... €3.07c a week.. honestly a less than a pint of beer, a couple of bottles of coke, a bag and a half of chips.

It's not a lot and when you consider it will most likely detect any major issues before they become major.

The point I was making was €80 euro for 12 minutes work, I mean it's not brain surgery.

helimachoptor

wilson10 wrote: »

The point I was making was €80 euro for 12 minutes work, I mean it's not brain surgery.

I'll be honest, I've never had a check up last 12 mins or less.
Add in a cleaning and tbh you're looking at 30 mins at least

Oral Surgeon

wilson10 wrote: »

The point I was making was €80 euro for 12 minutes work, I mean it's not brain surgery.

True, it's not brain surgery but brain surgeons probably get paid €500 for 30 minutes work so what's your point. A plumber would probably charge as much if not more to unblock a toilet....

Oral Surgeon

Deleted User wrote: »

The Tablet is not for me and its not my money. Its my son who is getting it.
It does appear that if you go outside the major urban areas, some of the dentists are a lot more open to negotiation and prices can vary hugely as i am discovering.
As for the comments about extraction without anesthesia.... I don't understand why not. I am scared sh1tless of the dentist needle, dont mind any of the other stuff. Many years ago I had a great dentist in the UK and had many fillings done without anesthesia. Its not barbaric by any means.

Maybe your son should loan you the money?

A shallow to medium depth filling can be done without LA. An extraction without LA is barbaric and would be ridiculous in a developed country.
Local anaesthetic is not the most expensive part of the job, it is the dentists and clinics time and if they attempted this without LA then it would likely take much longer as they would have all this extra time with you crying and him filling out legal forms.

wilson10

Oral Surgeon wrote: »

True, it's not brain surgery but brain surgeons probably get paid €500 for 30 minutes work so what's your point. A plumber would probably charge as much if not more to unblock a toilet....

I'm not going to argue dental charges with a dentist.

It would be like debating politics with Gerry Adams, we live in parallel universes.

Pain gone, temporary filling in place which hopefully will last a few months til i can afford a real dentist! All for less than €10.

How? Temporary filling is available from many chemists like boots. DIY job and not ideal but worked for me temporarily. Thanks to a friendly student for the advice.

helimachoptor

Deleted User wrote: »

Pain gone, temporary filling in place which hopefully will last a few months til i can afford a real dentist! All for less than €10.

How? Temporary filling is available from many chemists like boots. DIY job and not ideal but worked for me temporarily. Thanks to a friendly student for the advice.

Sorry OP, but you're essentially covering the problem. These fixes are basically a very very very short stop gap measure.
It will not last months (though i presume you will keep re-applying).
The decay has not been treated so will get worse, the pain will get worse and by the time you get to an actual dentist , what may have been a standard filling could be a RC.

Boots wrote:

This is a temporary remedy meant to replace a lost filling or inlay until you have a chance to visit your dentist. Read all of the directions carefully before use.To avoid infection and/or serious injury, this product should not be used if there is throbbing pain, ulceration or swelling in the affected area. If any of these symptoms exist, consult your dentist immediately.

Oral Surgeon

Deleted User wrote: »

Pain gone, temporary filling in place which hopefully will last a few months til i can afford a real dentist! All for less than €10.

How? Temporary filling is available from many chemists like boots. DIY job and not ideal but worked for me temporarily. Thanks to a friendly student for the advice.

Good to hear but don't expect the temp filling to last too long and indefinitly re-doing temp fillings does not work so try to get seen as soon as you can.
OS

snuggles09

glad you got it sorted out

I've had an estimate from my dentist today for 1055 euro for work i need to get done ( extractions, covered with my medical card). I need periodontic work, x rays and a whole host of fillings

I have sorted out a schedule where I will get things done but by bit, the most important things first, then the rest bit by bit as we go, to give me a chance to put away the money and also for my gums and teeth to recover between each treatment

Most dentists, if you let them know your siutation, especially if your in pain, i would imagine would be someway sympathetic and try their best to accommodate once possible

narddog

wilson10 wrote: »

I'm not going to argue dental charges with a dentist.

It would be like debating politics with Gerry Adams, we live in parallel universes.

In fairness, Gerry does great extractions.

Departed

narddog wrote: »

In fairness, Gerry does great extractions.

knee cap on the med card?

btkm8unsl0w5r4

If a temporary filling fixed the pain then a simple filling could fix the problem. dentists can also place medications in the cavity that help ease the nerve or at least buy you some years before you need to fork out for anything complex. Were talking maybe 70-80 euro from a cheaper dentist in dublin. Its at the point now where private dentistry is as cheap if not cheaper than the dental hospital in dublin and often cheaper than "low cost dental tourism" abroad.

From ringing around and checking online there is a big discrepancy in the price of dental care. What is suprising though is how some dentists wont provide clear pricing over the phone yet many have fees listed on their websites. Some even do special offers and discounts if the cost is above a certain amount. I have 3 broken teeth and a few cavities so it is going to cost!
Just now starting to look at the NI options as well.

Departed

Deleted User wrote: »

From ringing around and checking online there is a big discrepancy in the price of dental care. What is suprising though is how some dentists wont provide clear pricing over the phone yet many have fees listed on their websites. Some even do special offers and discounts if the cost is above a certain amount. I have 3 broken teeth and a few cavities so it is going to cost!
Just now starting to look at the NI options as well.

maybe they can't tell until they see a specific case? I am not saying that is so, just wondering

Dianthus

Deleted User wrote: »

From ringing around and checking online there is a big discrepancy in the price of dental care. What is suprising though is how some dentists wont provide clear pricing over the phone yet many have fees listed on their website

The "big discrepancy in the price" is also known as competition, also known as the opposite to there being a cartel in dentistry?!
A receptionist avoiding quoting for treatment over the phone may be to free the phone line, to not get in trouble with you&/their boss for misquoting, or indeed because there are certain elements of dentistry that you simply can't quote for until you are seen.
"3 broken teeth and a few cavities" could mean any combination of root canals(straightforward/specialist), crowns(porcelain/gold), fillings(small/large, amalgam/composite), or extractions(straightforward/surgical). It's crystal-ball stuff trying to quote for that over the phone!

I am not asking anyone to quote for treatment for me. I am asking for the fees payable for checkup with xrays, non surgical extraction, amalgum filling and crown. Since many dentists can list these fees clearly on websites, there is no reason they cannot be quoted over the phone in a couple of minutes. Hardly a case of hogging up the line while everyone is trying to get through with emergencies.

Mingetoad

It is a very tough one about quoting over the phone. I completely understand a patient enquiring as to costs in advance- wanting to know how much to bring to the surgery etc. On the other hand it really can be impossible to tell from a phone call. Each surgery has their own policy regarding quoting over the phone. This will be based on the law, ethics and personal experiences of those who work there- receptionist, nurse and dentist.

One example I had today- a mother called for their 21 year old son (as happens so often, believe it or not) and asked how much a filling will cost for him later that day. She was told the prices vary from €70 to a little over €100 depending upon the material, size, difficulty, time taken etc. The 21 year old son came in today, was told IN ADVANCE of having any treatment that if he got amalgam it would be €75, white would be €95. He asked for the white filling. After having the treatment he told reception that his mum was quoted €70 over the phone and that was all he had with him. Within 5 minutes the mother was on the phone giving out stink to the receptionist. As far as she was concerned we were ripping them off and telling one price and charging another. A lot of 'choice' terms were used, calling us anything from thieves to robbers and liars. This is despite the son being told in advance the treatment cost.
Now, tomorrow will my receptionist be as keen to give a quote over the phone?

Caseywhale

snuggles09 wrote: »

glad you got it sorted out

I've had an estimate from my dentist today for 1055 euro for work i need to get done ( extractions, covered with my medical card). I need periodontic work, x rays and a whole host of fillings

I have sorted out a schedule where I will get things done but by bit, the most important things first, then the rest bit by bit as we go, to give me a chance to put away the money and also for my gums and teeth to recover between each treatment

Most dentists, if you let them know your siutation, especially if your in pain, i would imagine would be someway sympathetic and try their best to accommodate once possible

I got a quote like that (worse actually) from my old dentist. Went to two different dentists for checkups and the work that needed to be done was only €220 from one and €250 from the other. It was nowhere near the amount of work my old dentist wanted to do. Get a second and third opinion.

Dianthus

Some practices aren't technologically up to speed. Some receptionists aren't up to speed. It's called life.
Should also mention of course some dentists ain't up to speed either

Mingetoad

Deleted User wrote: »

I am not asking anyone to quote for treatment for me. I am asking for the fees payable for checkup with xrays, non surgical extraction, amalgum filling and crown. Since many dentists can list these fees clearly on websites, there is no reason they cannot be quoted over the phone in a couple of minutes. Hardly a case of hogging up the line while everyone is trying to get through with emergencies.

How many x-rays will you need?
How difficult will the extraction be?
How many surfaces will the amalgam be? Will a liner be needed? Will a pin or bonding be needed?
Which of the many types of crown do you need?
Sorry but the fees on websites, at reception etc are usually price ranges, not definite quotes. If you want a definite quote, attend for a check-up and plan. If you are happy to be given a price range (and understand what that mean, see my post above!;)) then by all means request one over the phone, but don't expect it to always be 100% accurate.
Try calling a restaurant how much a meal costs, but say you aren't sure yet what you'll be eating but you think two veg and maybe one piece of meat.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

I will not allow reception staff to quote over the phone for any treatment other than a consultation. I give prices for treatment on my website and refer all patients to it to work out the price for themselves. I would not ask a tradesman to estimate for a job without seeing it first. One filling might take 10 minutes another might take 90 minutes it depends.

I can understand that people think that everything in dentistry is off the shelf, filling...crown...implant however the variance in time and difficulty from one person to another for the same job is huge and without seeing the person and the teeth you cannot judge.

I would never ask a doctor or optician over the phone to diagnose or quote treatment for me just like i wouldn't expect a dentist to. I do expect to be given a price range for each treatment available.
E.g. A dentist in Blessington quotes from 50 to 120 euro for an amalgum filling. A dentist in D6 quotes from 100 to 200 euro for an amalgum filling. Quotes for crowns can vary by a few hundred euro.
Its necessary to have this comparison before deciding which dentist to go to. If I had the cash, i would go to 2 or 3 dentists for a proper checkup and quote.
Being able to see price lists up on websites is really helpful and in the end I probably will end up going to a dentist who has their fees on a website.

Oral Surgeon

derekeire wrote: »

I would never ask a doctor or optician over the phone to diagnose or quote treatment for me just like i wouldn't expect a dentist to. I do expect to be given a price range for each treatment available.
E.g. A dentist in Blessington quotes from 50 to 120 euro for an amalgum filling. A dentist in D6 quotes from 100 to 200 euro for an amalgum filling. Quotes for crowns can vary by a few hundred euro.
Its necessary to have this comparison before deciding which dentist to go to. If I had the cash, i would go to 2 or 3 dentists for a proper checkup and quote.
Being able to see price lists up on websites is really helpful and in the end I probably will end up going to a dentist who has their fees on a website.

So just go with the guys with the clear websites then..!!
Why are you trying to give business to dentists who don't have a clear and readily available pricing policy??

Killer_banana

As someone who's put off dental care for several reasons (including price) I'd say it's best to go as soon as possible. Even if it means having to borrow money from a family member or friend. Went today 'cause one tooth in the front needs a filling really badly. Turns out I need more teeth than just that one filled. Also tooth is so far gone she may actually have to do a root canal instead. If I had just gone for regular check-ups I might have had less trouble or at least found things out bit by bit and not have to pay for everything at once. Seriously, expensive or not you should get at much of it done as you can, waiting around will just cause things to get worse.

And go for check-ups if not every six months then once a year (which most are entitled to on PRSI I believe). Never had regular check-ups and think if I had I might have been able to prevent or at least delay things and my teeth would be in much better condition.

So the pain is back with a vengence and am having to visit different pharmacies to top up the Neurofen Plus. Oh what i wouldn't give for a few dozen DF118s!
A certain dental chain with practices in NI and ROI have a deal going with my health insurer. Turns out I should be entitled to a discount with my health insurance and their online prices seem reasonable. Glad I read the policy doc.
Am nearly convinced to go up north for all my treatment as it seem very good value and there are lots of positive online reviews.

helimachoptor

Sorry Derek no names

helimachoptor

helimachoptor wrote: »

Sorry Derek no names

Noted! When i find out what a fantastic bargain you can get with the Health Insurance, i will post all the details in Bargain Alerts.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

Deleted User wrote: »

Noted! When i find out what a fantastic bargain you can get with the Health Insurance, i will post all the details in Bargain Alerts.

Even if there was a good dental insurance company in ireland you cannot insure yourself for preexisting conditions. eg. you cannot crash your car and then get insurance for it.

Amani Brave Liquor

Amani Brave Liquor wrote: »

Deleted User wrote: »

Noted! When i find out what a fantastic bargain you can get with the Health Insurance, i will post all the details in Bargain Alerts.

Even if there was a good dental insurance company in ireland you cannot insure yourself for preexisting conditions. eg. you cannot crash your car and then get insurance for it.

Don't get me wrong, I don't have dental insurance. I do have Health Insurance and when reading the policy there is a whole section about getting discounted dental treatment with one particular dental chain. Also interesting to note was that some orthodontic treatment was covered (handy for the kids) under the policy. Am just following up atm.