9 Money Questions To Ask Before Getting Dental Work
Americans who are struggling to pay for housing and food will sometimes avoid going to the doctor for fear of the costs. According to the Federal Reserve, dental care was the most frequently skipped kind of medical care in 2025, with 18% of adults in the United States forgoing treatment.
Simple annual or semiannual checkups from a dentist can cost hundreds of dollars without insurance. Fixing cavities can run into the thousands of dollars.
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MoneyLion talked to a couple of dentists who shared specific money questions you can consider asking before you agree to any dental work.
9 Questions To Ask Before Getting Dental Work
1. Can I get an itemized treatment plan with the procedure codes?
Every dental procedure has a current dental terminology (CDT) code. “With the codes, you can call your insurer, compare quotes apples to apples and see exactly what you're paying for,” said Catrise Austin, doctor of dental surgery (DDS) and celebrity cosmetic dentist of VIP Smiles Dentistry.
2. Will you send a pre-treatment estimate to my insurance first?
“It shows what your plan expects to pay before you commit. It's an estimate, not a guarantee, so get it in writing,” explained Austin, who also hosts the Let’s Talk Smiles podcast.
3. Are you in-network? If not, what will I owe beyond what insurance pays?
Out-of-network dentists can bill you the difference between their fee and your plan's allowance. You can ask ahead of time to protect your money.
4. How much of my annual maximum is left, and can we split treatment across two benefit years?
Many plans still cap benefits at $1,000 to $1,500 a year. Per Austin, timing treatment around the reset can significantly increase what insurance contributes.
5. Can any of the treatment be pushed off to the following year?
“This is often an easy option at year end so that the patient may be able to get the root canal in December and then the crown over the tooth in January,” said Sandip Sachar, DDS at Sachar Dental NYC. “This way the patient may be able to use the insurance benefits of both years, thereby reducing out-of-pocket costs.”
6. What exactly does this price include?
Ask about temporaries, try-ins, lab fees, follow-up adjustments and a night guard. The lowest quote often leaves these out, according to Austin.
7. Are there any less expensive options to treat the same tooth?
“For example a patient may be able to get a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown instead of a high-end full porcelain crown,” Sachar said. “And the cost may change accordingly.”
8. What will financing really cost me?
Most dental financing is based on your credit score, per Austin.
“The best terms go to the highest scores,” she added. “If your credit isn't perfect, you may still qualify, just at a higher cost. I believe everyone deserves access to the smile they want, but go in with your eyes open.”
Ask whether the plan is truly zero interest or deferred interest. According to Austin, with deferred interest, if you miss the payoff deadline, you can owe interest all the way back to day one.
9. Can I use my health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA)?
“Treatment that restores health usually qualifies,” Austin explained. “Purely cosmetic work like whitening generally doesn't, under IRS rules.”
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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