Like most college students, you’re probably waiting until the holidays to schedule your regular doctor checkups. Winter break is slowly approaching, your parents might be pestering you about scheduling a visit to see your hometown dentist when you’re in town. You, on the other hand, probably have better things to do during your short respite from school responsibilities.
It’s no surprise you’d rather be spending time with your friends and family instead of visiting the dentist’s chair. As nice as some dentists can be, you still cringe at the thought of being subjected to the scraping, forceful flossing and general gum prodding. However, missing those regular checkups can cause dental issues like aching teeth and sensitive gums, as well as lead to an increase in serious health problems, including cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease and diabetes. But what should you do if it’s a lack of dental insurance, rather than fear of the dentist’s chair, that prevents you from getting a regular teeth cleaning?
Luckily, there are dental plans available for individuals and students that will let you get your pearly whites cleaned without breaking the bank. For example, DentalPlans.com lets you search for plans in your area and view savings you can expect with each plan. Rates vary depending on your area, but most individual plans are available for $100 to $150 per year — less than you’ll probably spend on pizza in a semester. Avia Dental is another company offering student dental service, with plans starting at only $8 a month.
Another alternative is to see if your college or university has its own dental school. Many times, dental schools allow students to use their dentistry services at a discounted rate. While dental patients will need to wait longer than if they were visiting a traditional dentist, the fees are greatly reduced as you’re having a dentistry student perform the services. (Don’t worry; the students are closely supervised by faculty members who are trained and board-certified dentists.)
You can also see if your college or university offers its own form of dental coverage. New York University offers dental services to university students, as well as their spouses and children, and also includes discounts for orthodontic treatments.
With all these options available for student dental services, nothing short of a crippling fear of the dentist chair should keep you from your regular cleaning. Waiting too long for dentistry services could mean even more painful restorative dentistry procedures, like root canals. So, kiss Nana hello during the holidays this year, help yourself to an extra slice of pumpkin pie and schedule your regular cleaning.
About the Author
Amy Moczynski is the marketing associate for 352 Media Group, a web development and digital marketing company.
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