
Nov
If you don’t have dental insurance, what would you do if you found yourself with a broken, painful, or knocked-out tooth? Thankfully, just because you don’t have dental benefits doesn’t mean you can’t get the urgent care you need right away. Knowing what your options are ahead of time can help lower your costs and reduce stress if an emergency strikes. Here are three tips for handling dental emergencies if you don’t have dental insurance.
While any dental emergency needs to be addressed by a dentist right away, some situations are more urgent than others. For example, you should seek immediate attention from your dentist if you have a:
Dental emergencies that are considered less urgent include:
However, you should go directly to your local emergency room if you experience:
Understanding just how serious your issue is can help you make the right choice for both your wallet and your health. If you’re not sure how urgent your situation is, don’t hesitate to contact your dentist for first-aid advice.
Gathering as much information ahead of time as possible can take a significant amount of stress and chaos out of handling a dental emergency. First, you need to know where to go. If you don’t see a dentist regularly, make sure you know which dental office you would go to for emergency care and what their services and emergency appointments are like. Have their address and phone number somewhere easy to access so you can contact them right away.
Then, whether you’ve chosen a familiar dentist or one you haven’t visited before, take the time to learn more about their payment options. In most cases, dentists use CareCredit to help make treatments more affordable for their patients. This third party offers financing plans that can break down the cost of your emergency care into smaller payments that fit into your monthly budget. CareCredit is an excellent way to pay for dental services when you don’t have dental insurance.
If you don’t have dental insurance, you may be tempted to handle your dental emergency on your own. However, this can easily cost you far more in the long run! Since teeth can’t heal themselves like the rest of the body, leaving serious oral health issues untreated will allow them to progress into far more serious, painful, damaging, and expensive problems. Generally, the sooner an issue is treated, the less expensive it will be. Remember, call your dentist right away if you have a dental emergency for recommendations on how to best handle your unique situation.
Of course, the best way to save money on dental emergencies is to prevent them from happening in the first place! Make sure you’re practicing great oral hygiene habits, eating a nutritious diet, and not using your teeth to open packages or bottles.
Dr. Ivan Chan is a compassionate restorative dentist serving the Glendale community. With a passion for improving oral health, he helps patients achieve beautiful smiles. Born in Hong Kong and raised in Sacramento, Dr. Chan grew up in a family of dentists, sparking his interest in the field early on. He earned his undergraduate degree in Biology from UC San Diego and contributed to running Student-Run Free Dental Clinics for underserved communities. Dr. Chan continued his education at UC San Francisco, where he received extensive training in preventative, restorative, cosmetic, and implant dentistry.
Dr. Chan is also dedicated to volunteering and has participated in numerous mission trips, including serving with the US Navy on the USNS Mercy Hospital Ship and providing dental care to communities in Tijuana and Ensenada, Mexico. These experiences have further fueled his commitment to providing quality dental care to those in need.
When not practicing dentistry, Dr. Chan enjoys watching basketball, visiting local breweries, and traveling. He believes in maintaining a healthy work-life balance for both personal and professional growth.
To learn more, he can be contacted via his website or at818-243-3838.
Dr. Ivan Chan is a compassionate dentist with extensive training in preventative, restorative, implant, and cosmetic dentistry. He earned his Biology degree from the University of California, San Diego, where he helped run free dental clinics for underserved communities. Dr. Chan received his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of California, San Francisco. He has volunteered on mission trips in Mexico to provide quality dental care to underserved communities. Dr. Chan has also been on humanitarian missions with the US Navy on the USNS Mercy Hospital Ship. Committed to accessible, high-quality dental care, he combines expertise with a dedication to improving everyone’s oral health.
Dr. Jonathan Gao is a dedicated orthodontist with a passion for providing exceptional care. He holds a degree in Human Biology from UC San Diego and earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from UC San Francisco (UCSF), where he also completed his orthodontic residency. Dr. Gao’s commitment to both research and community service earned him multiple awards, including Distinguished Volunteer and Provider of the Year at the UCSF Community Dental Clinic. His expertise, coupled with his dedication to serving others, underscores his reputation for delivering trustworthy, patient-centered care.
Dr. Moji Ghalambor is a highly skilled endodontist who is passionate about patient care and community service. He earned his Biology degree from Hope International University, where he also played collegiate soccer, and his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from the University of Southern California (USC). After practicing general dentistry, he pursued specialized training in Endodontics at USC. Dr. Ghalambor served as class president for four years and participated in mission trips to Belize, Cambodia, Nicaragua, and Panama. His expertise, leadership, and commitment to underserved communities define his trustworthy approach.