Financing Dental Work in South Carolina
Key Points
According to a survey by the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, more than one-quarter of all adults who failed to see a dentist in the previous six months cited cost as the main factor. It was the number-one reported reason, ahead of COVID-19, “having no medical reason to go,” and “dental anxiety.”1
It is not a secret that dental care is expensive. Individuals who lack or have inadequate healthcare coverage face the challenge of finding alternative means of financing dental work.
Fortunately, there are many different options available. Once you understand what they are and how they work, you can determine how best to proceed.
Below is everything you need to know about paying for dental care. Keep reading to determine which approach is right for your circumstances, dental health goals, and budget.
Table of Contents
- Why Is Dental Work So Expensive?
- Dental Financing in South Carolina
- What Is a Medicaid Dentist?
- Can I Use a Credit Card for Dental Work?
- Low-Interest Dental Loans in South Carolina
- Does an Emergency Dentist Cost More?
- How to Recover From Emergency Dental Work Bills
- Find a ‘No Insurance Dentist’ Near Me
- References
Why Is Dental Work So Expensive?
There are several reasons that dental care is costly. One is that almost all treatments received at a dentist must be completed by someone with special training. This applies to the dentists themselves, who attend medical school, as well as dental hygienists, technicians, or assistants, all of whom must have particular education and training.
Next, the operating costs of a dental office can be extensive. In addition to rent and utilities, they must pay for advertising and marketing to ensure people know about their practice. Also, dentists must carry business owner’s and dental office insurance, as well as malpractice insurance to protect themselves against lawsuits.
Finally, dental office equipment is not cheap. Lighting, lasers, suction devices, instruments, and supplies are just the tip of the iceberg. Dental chairs, X-ray equipment, and autoclaves (for sterilization) can cost tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Cumulatively, these expenses can make the total cost of running a dentist’s office quite substantial. Patient services and related billing is how they go about covering these costs.
Dental Financing in South Carolina
The best way to pay for dental work is through health insurance. Most dental insurance will pay a large percentage (if not all) of standard dental care costs.
These include those related to checkups, cleanings, cavities, and most basic treatments. Policies will vary on how much they pay for specialty or more extensive treatments or procedures.
Like other types of insurance policies, most dental insurance plans have in- and out-of-network providers. Your insurer should be able to give you a list of in-network dentists.
Also, most dentists state on their websites which insurance plans they accept. For instance, at ProGrin, we accept:
- Ameritas
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield
- Cigna
- Delta Dental
- MetLife
- United Healthcare
You can find a breakdown of specific policies and which of our offices accept each at this link.
If you do not have dental health insurance (or, even if you do), consider utilizing a health savings account (HSA) to pay for expenses. Some employers make these available, and you can also purchase them through certain HSA-eligible health plans.
HSAs are a type of tax-advantaged savings account. They let you to contribute funds upfront, reducing your taxable income. Money in the account can then be used on qualifying medical expenses, without paying taxes on those funds.
What Is a Medicaid Dentist?
A Medicaid dentist is one who accepts Medicaid as a form of payment. Medicaid is a federal program that provides health insurance for approximately 90 million adults and children throughout the United States with limited income or resources.2
Medicaid is administered through states, which means that, to a large extent, individual states get to decide the coverage parameters. Most cover at least emergency dental services.
In South Carolina, Medicaid recipients get coverage for most general dental services, in addition to emergency care. These include routine cleaning, exams, and X-rays. They also may receive limited access to restorative services.3
Children generally receive wider coverage parameters than adults. In addition to the services mentioned above, they are covered for cavity fillings and extractions.
Note that dentists are not required to accept Medicaid, and not all of them do. Those who will file claims with Medicaid usually make that information available on their websites. For instance, at ProGrin’s Powdersville office, we accept Medicaid for patients up to six years of age.
Can I Use a Credit Card for Dental Work?
Most dental offices allow patients to pay for dental work using credit cards. You might ask to see if there is a processing fee for doing so.
If possible, consider credit cards with zero interest for new purchases for an introductory period. This is a good way to avoid adding to existing dental care debt.
Low-Interest Dental Loans in South Carolina
You can find dentists who offer in-house financing that allows you to spread payments out over time. Some programs are informal, letting customers chip away at small or modest bills every month.
Also, look for dentists who provide their own dental savings plan. 
These work by letting patients pay a monthly fee, which covers basic dental care, like regular checkups and cleanings. Some plans may include things like X-rays or other preventative procedures. Unused funds also may be put towards procedures that are not already covered under the plan.
In addition to making dental care more affordable, such programs allow you to avoid deductibles or surprise co-pays. There are no claims to file or waiting for an insurance company to make a decision. Dental offices like them because they encourage loyalty and help patients access care that they otherwise may not be able to.
Does an Emergency Dentist Cost More?
Yes, in general almost any type of specialty service will cost a premium. How much is largely determined by the severity of the issue and the extent of the dental work required. Whether sedation is needed for treatment could also significantly impact the cost.
A final factor that can influence the price tag of emergency dental care is the timing of the office visit. Services performed after normal office hours may incur greater costs than, for instance, a dental office having to shift appointments around during regular working hours to fit you in.
How to Recover From Emergency Dental Work Bills
If you received emergency dental care, along with a hefty bill, there are several steps you should take. If you have dental insurance, submit a claim within 30 days of when the emergency procedures were performed. If you do not receive an “explanation of benefits” from your insurer within about a month, you should follow up with them about the claim.
If you do not have insurance, speak to the dental provider directly. Find out what payment options are available (such as the ones discussed above). In most instances, dental offices are happy to provide restorative services to patients who make payments on a regular basis.
Find a ‘No Insurance Dentist’ Near Me
Financing dental work can be a hassle, but it is not impossible. Following the guide above will point you in the right direction, so that you and your family can access quality dental care.
At ProGrin, our priority is to meet the unique dental needs of each patient, and we work to remove financial barriers that stand in the way of that. We have nine offices throughout Anderson, Greenville, and Spartanburg Counties, with competent, experienced staff at each. We also have an emergency dentist in Simpsonville and several other locations. Call us today to set up an appointment with the best dentist Greenville has to offer.
References
The State of Oral Health Equity in America 2022, CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, Boston, MA: April 2022, https://www.carequest.org/system/files/CareQuest_Institute_Americans-Are-Still-Not-Getting-Dental-Care-They-Need_3.pdf.
Rubowitz, R., A. Burns, E. Hinton, & M. Mohamed, 10 Things to Know About Medicaid, Kaiser Family Foundation, June 30, 2023, https://www.kff.org/medicaid/issue-brief/10-things-to-know-about-medicaid/.
“Program Eligibility and Income Limits,” South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Healthy Connections/Medicaid, retrieved October 22, 2024, from: https://www.scdhhs.gov/members/program-eligibility-and-income-limits.
“South Carolina Medicaid Dental Coverage,” Humana, January 24, 2023, retrieved October 22, 2024, from: https://www.humana.com/medicaid/south-carolina/coverage/dental.
Dr. Greg Ayers of ProGrin Dental in South Carolina is an established and highly esteemed cosmetic dentist who has lectured at premier dental institutions across America as well provides cosmetic dentistry to Hollywood stars and professional athletes. Dr. Ayers maintains dental practices in six locations across South Carolina.
