Millions of Americans lack dental insurance. If you are one of them, you may be wondering whether and how you can afford routine dental treatment for your children.
At the Kids Dental Office of Phoenix, we want you to know that even if you do not have private insurance coverage, there are several ways to ensure your children receive the dental care they need for good oral health and a beautiful smile.
In this blog post, we take a closer look at how much common dental procedures like X-rays and dental cleanings cost in Arizona, and cover some ways that you might qualify for assistance in paying for a dentist visit if you do not have health or dental insurance.
To learn more about how to receive affordable dental services for your kids, call us at (602) 903-4894 or, if you prefer, use our online contact form to communicate with one of our pediatric dentists and to schedule an appointment.
How Much Do X-Rays and Cleanings Cost Without Insurance in Arizona?
How much you can expect to pay out of pocket for routine dental services in Arizona depends on a few factors, like where you are in the state and the specific nature of the service.
The average cost of dental procedures can also vary based on the experience of the dentist you visit, the type of dental offices in your area, and whether you live in a metropolitan or rural area.
How Much Do X-Rays Cost?
For X-rays, as an example, here are some price ranges for different types:
- Bitewing X‑rays (routine set of 4): $50 – $150
- Single periapical X‑ray (one tooth): $15 – $40
- Full‑mouth X‑ray series (new patients / long gaps in care): $100 – $250
- Panoramic X‑ray (whole mouth image): $60 – $200
How Much Does a Dental Cleaning Cost?
For dental cleanings, part of the cost also depends on the extent of the cleaning necessary. For example, a routine cleaning may cost $90 to $150, though in the Phoenix and Scottsdale urban areas, the higher cost could reach $200.
But, if complications exist, like gum disease, then a more extensive deep cleaning, like scaling and root planing, can cost more, perhaps $150 to $300 for each quadrant of your child’s mouth (two upper and two lower sides).
Deep cleanings remove plaque and mouth bacteria that have built up below the gum line, and the total cost depends on how many quadrants need treatment.
How Much Does a Combined Cleaning and X-Ray Cost?
Dental cleanings are often preceded by X-rays, so your child’s dentist can see the nature and extent of any dental issues that may be present. A routine cleaning with a set of bitewing X-rays can run from $150 to $300 on average.
The average cost for a complete new patient visit, including a dental exam, cleanings, and X-rays in Phoenix, typically falls between $150 and $400.
What Happens During a Dental Cleaning?
If your child needs X-rays during a cleaning visit, this will be the first step. The dentist will examine the images before beginning the cleaning.
The cleaning itself usually includes the following activities:
- A dental exam to check for cavities, inspect for signs of gum disease, check for tooth chips or cracks, and check the condition of existing dental work, like fillings or crowns
- Teeth cleaning (with or without fluoride)
- Removing plaque from teeth
- Discussing any dental concerns you might have
If the dentist finds an issue, he or she will discuss it with you and help you develop a dental plan by recommending relevant services or procedures.
What Factors Must You Consider in Calculating Costs of Dental Services?
As we mentioned above, where you live can affect the cost of dental x-rays and cleaning without insurance. If you live in a rural area, the cost will often be lower than in Phoenix or Scottsdale.
Other considerations to bear in mind include:
- The type of dental practice you visit. Is it a smaller dentist’s office, or part of a corporate chain of dental offices? Is it a dental school clinic, or a low-cost clinic?
- The kind of equipment the office uses. Some dental offices still use older X-ray technology, for example, while others have invested in more state-of-the-art digital imaging devices. This can affect your bill.
- Is this your first visit? If your child is a new patient rather than a regular one, the costs for initial X-rays may be higher.
Will the cleaning reveal the need for other dental services? Especially if your child has not seen a dentist for a while, a routine set of X-rays and a cleaning may reveal bigger problems that need attention, like cavities, gingivitis, or more costly dental procedures like root canals or tooth extractions, or even orthodontic treatment.
How Can You Keep Your Kids’ Out-of-Pocket Dental Costs Down?
You have multiple possible choices to save money on the costs of children’s dental services if you do not have private insurance or insurance through your employer. Here are a few options to consider:
- Dental school clinics. These clinics give dental students the supervised opportunity to hone their skills at a significantly lower cost than private dental offices. These schools offer dental cleanings at very affordable prices.
- Public dental clinics. Public and free dental clinics offer services at low or no cost to qualified patients, subject to income restrictions.
- Dental grants and charitable foundations. These can cover some or all of the costs of most standard dental care services for those who qualify.
- Dental care financing options. Many dentists can offer you affordable options, including the ability to obtain financing to pay for dental care services upfront, allowing you to make payments in a payment plan.
Medicaid Insurance Coverage Through AHCCCS and KidsCare
The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) is a state program that provides federally funded Medicaid coverage to families with limited incomes, including dental care. Eligibility for AHCCCS insurance coverage depends on family income and size.
AHCCCS pays for all dental services for children under age 19, including orthodontic care and oral surgery.
The KidsCare program is an alternative low-cost health insurance program, including dental coverage, for households that do not qualify for AHCCCS due to income. KidsCare is Arizona’s version of the federal Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
Call the Kids Dental Office of Phoenix With Your Dental Care Cost Questions
We provide the information above as an introduction to some of the options you may have to afford routine dental care, such as X-rays and cleanings, for your children when paying out of pocket is not practical.
If you want to learn more about help with dental cost questions or to schedule a dental visit for your child, call the Kids Dental Office of Phoenix at (602) 903-4894 or ask us a question online.
Providing proper dental care during childhood is one of the most important things you can do for your kids, and it will benefit them into adulthood. If paying out-of-pocket costs is difficult, there is still no reason you should forgo essential dental care services if you can find a reduced-cost way to afford it, like one of the options we have presented here.
Let us help you make the best affordable dental care choice. Call us today.