So I've just noticed one of my teeth has crumbled a little at it's base, thankfully facing the back of my mouth. I'm not in any pain but can feel a rough patch or maybe a hole. The rest of my teeth are just okay, but probably need a few fillings and a clean up. I haven't been to the dentist in over a decade. Is it worth getting private dental cover for something like this?
Should I Get Dental Cover?
subywagon on 03/04/2017 - 19:28
Comments
That's whatI was thinking. I don't think I need anything major… but then again I haven't been to a dentist since I was a kid…
I'm a reformed dentist avoider, and had some very hefty bills after my 10 years or so of dentist avoidance.
I cop the annual check and clean now, and I make my next appointment on the way out the door of the last, so I don't ever have to force myself to make that call to book in, which I always had plenty of reasons to postpone.Find a good dentist. It made a lot of difference to me that I found a bloke with kids a similar age, and who has a sense of humour, so we can have a bit of a chat and catch up each visit - it makes it feel less daunting.
In terms of the dental cover, the private extras cover handles my routine visits with a good percentage back, but anything more serious and it quickly hits the annual maximums.
And you will likely need to wait out a waiting period of 12 months before you can claim anything serious. If you think you might need a fair bit of work in future (your description says yes, unfortunately) and you have any other areas you might benefit from extras cover (physio etc.) then it might be useful, but even in our house with 2 adults and 4 kids getting regular health expenses it isn't a winning proposition.
Best off getting it checked early rather than later regardless of insurance. Eg a filling that could cost $150 can turn into a $4000 root canal if ignored…
From experience very few dental issues just "go away".
get a checkup at the dentist before making the decision. after 10 years of no dentist and with a crumbled tooth at the back etc you may find you'll appreciate the major dental coverage in 12 months time (waiting period), a lot of covers waive the waiting period for minor dental, especially when it comes up to tax time and annual price increases (this month). do you have hospital cover already because if so, then i'd check what the difference is to add minor dental (basic extras)
Yeah, I'm booking a check up in the morning and I'll go from there.
Let us know how you go, would be interested.
Lisa needs braces
Dental Plan!
nah dont go, teeth arnt important
Obie Trice disagrees…
ask your grandfather, he will tell you dentures are better
Unless you are super lucky/have super good dental hygiene, pretty sure the dentist will say "cha ching" sound when you mention you haven't been to a dentist in over 10 years…
I suppose you could try and bluff and say less to see what they say?
Or go to a reputable (recommended by friends) dentist (if possible).
Or get a few quotes if the first one recommends a lot or major work.
Personally I went to the dentist for the first time in about 5 years a few years ago:
From memory got 9? fillings on 4 or 5 teeth (really small ones)
Got told to brush less hard and use an extra soft toothbrush as I was brushing away my gums (especially on the bottom left side; being right handed)
I go to a Viet or Korean dentist, sometimes they don't even make me pay the gap! So dodgy, but good for me!
Good Luck!
PS - Thanks, reminded me that I need a check up too!
6 months ago i visited a dentist for the first time in 17 years… $2k later and I'm all fixed up.
17 years of insurance would've cost me way more than that so ignoring it until I couldn't handle the pain any more was a total bargain :-)
haha true that. I'm going to pre-empt and get insurance before I go ;)
No, not really, unless you suspect that you will need further dental work. The dentist will charge you for a consult, then they are most likely to xray then whatever you need from there.