Dental Finance London

Unfortunately, unless you qualify for treatment under the NHS, dental treatment isn’t going to be cheap, some procedures can cost thousands of pounds, more if you’re looking for extensive cosmetic work. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean you will be unable to afford the sort of treatment you are looking for – there are plenty of people in the UK who don’t have the money to pay upfront for braces or dental restoration, but there are still options available. Financing alternatives are great for patients who desperately need or want treatment, but can’t afford a payment in one lump sum, they break down the cost into monthly instalments over a period of up to five years, making sure everyone has access to cosmetic dentistry, not just those who have money to spare.

How does dental finance work?

Most finance packages work on a monthly basis, so that the outgoings will be as regular as say, your rent or gas bill, this makes it easier to organise and keep track of. If you manage to get a good deal, you could also benefit from interest-free repayments for a certain amount of time after the treatment begins, which can really lower the overall price when compared to making payments on a separate loan. Essentially, what you are doing is taking out a loan from your dental practice, rather than the bank.

When you apply for any kind of dental treatment, your provider should break down the applicable costs, and discuss what payment technique you would prefer – it should be clear to you what you are paying for and when, if you’re not comfortable with the pricing scheme, or they seem vague about the financing aspect, you might want to consider a different clinic. Don’t be pushed into paying for treatment before you are fully aware of what you are signing up for, a surgery that is more concerned with money is not going to have your best interests at heart.

Once you are comfortable with your suggested finance plan, the clinic will contact their provider to get your application approved, in much the same way as your bank would, through a credit check. If you are approved, the provider will then finance your treatment fully, with you paying back the money in instalments over the coming months or years. Make sure you read your contract and stick to the repayment schedule; otherwise you might come up against some trouble in the future, as far as your credit rating goes.

How do I know if I’ll be eligible for dental finance?

Eligibility for dental finance comes under the same criteria as a loan from your bank; you need to have your credit history checked before you can be approved. You current income will also have some effect on the outcome, as both your dental practice and their finance provider need to know whether or not you will be able to keep up with the repayments. If you have a bad credit rating, it might disqualify you from financing, so it might be a good idea to check it beforehand, to save yourself any rejection.

In order to check your credit history, the finance company will need proof of your identity, which could be a passport or drivers licence, and something with your address on it, like a utility bill or bank statement.

Can I get dental finance even if the treatment is cosmetic?

There are lots of people in the UK who take out loans for cosmetic treatment, particularly for expensive restorative techniques, like veneers or dental implants. Very few people can afford to pay top-end prices all in one go, that’s why surgeries offer financing plans; it allows their patients to undergo quality procedures at an affordable rate of payment. Loans are often given for cosmetic treatment more frequently than any other kind of dentistry, simply because they tend to be more expensive, calling for an extended finance plan over several years. Provided you pass all the necessary credit checks and you are confident that repayments won’t be a problem, you can get dental finance for a whole range of dental treatments, including cosmetic ones.

What if my loan takes longer than a year to repay?

It’s feasible that you could have a bill that will take more than twelve months to repay, especially if you have had extensive treatment, and your clinic should work with you to establish a workable repayment scheme – one that won’t push your finances to their limits. Most surgeries will offer interest-free payments over the first year, but if you choose to spread the cost over three or four years, you could end up paying quite a lot more, when interest is added on. Try to negotiate a deal with your provider, as they may be willing to adjust the numbers in order to secure your custom.

What kinds of places offer dental finance?

The first thing to remember is not to choose your clinic based solely on what sort of finance they provide, they may be using the low interest rates to tempt customers through their doors, and it doesn’t mean they have high quality service to back up their prices. Certified, high end clinics will probably all have some sort of finance plan available, so all you have to do is weigh up the price against what level of treatment you expect to receive; it might be worth paying a little bit extra for a more professional, top quality service. There are usually various financing packages available, take a look online to get an idea of a good deal and compare some prices, most reputable surgeries have a website these days, so it shouldn’t be too time consuming. The Pearl Dental Clinic, in London, offers several different financing options, call today and organise a consultation, their fully qualified team members can talk you through the available plans and outline the best deal for you – there’s no need to avoid dental treatment altogether, if it’s just the price that is getting in the way.