There are several methods or ways by which one can maintain their mouths in Canberra. In other words, there are a handful of treatment plans and distinct payment plans. You might sometimes get confused due to more than one kind of payment option you have at your disposal. To clear your doubts and help you with your lack of certainty, we have collected and mentioned all the advantages and disadvantages of the viable payment choices. So let’s explore all about a dentist payment plan in Canberra.
What are dentist payment plans?
Dental treatment procedures are costly due to which patients often cannot afford the whole amount upfront. A dentist payment plan in Canberra allows them to pay in installments over a few months, thus helping to manage the high cost of dental treatment.
Dental care is of high priority and this is why it cannot be delayed. If the issues are left untreated, they could get more complicated which means a greater cost in the future.
What are the eligibility criteria for a dentist payment plan in Canberra?
The exact approval process and criteria for eligibility depend on the dental care center you go to. But certain things like credit score, income, and history of tax debt are vital credentials the dental center may examine.
Although all plans have some basic requirements. For example, you need to be at least 18 years old, be an Australian citizen, have a source of income, and be able to disprove bankruptcy.
How does a dentist’s payment plan work?
If you want to get into such financial plans, just make sure to discuss all details with your dentist before receiving treatment. The terms and conditions of a dentist payment plan in Canberra depend on the amount and duration of the loan. The period of installments usually goes like 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months. Depending on the dental service provider, you may or may not need to pay out a down payment. To accept an approved plan, you have to finalize its terms.
Now, there could be two parties who’ll handle the payment plan. One of them is the dental clinic itself, another is a third-party plan provider. The kind of procedure each of them offers is discussed in the section below:
1. In-house dental clinic plan
When the dental clinic itself has an integrated dental payment plan for its customers, we call it an in-house plan. The application procedure differs from clinic to clinic, so check accordingly. After settling with a payment plan, you need to make payments directly to the dental clinic before due dates.
2. Third-party financial services
A third-party plan provider is useful if a dental practitioner or dental clinic has not integrated alternative financing options other than direct payment. The payment amount and frequency might differ from what you might get from an in-house financing plan. But you need to make sure the dental clinic from which you’re availing the services also agrees and approves the third-party plan provider’s terms. Usually, the financer pays your dentist in full on your behalf. Then, the third-party provider offers you a scheme to make the payments over a given time.
What about additional fees?
Dental payment plans come with a handful of benefits but with a price. Third-party payment plans have some additional charges like account maintenance fees, interest rates, and taxes. You might also be charged for late repayment. The interest rate varies from plan to plan, but major payment providers might charge none.
What kind of treatments are covered under a payment plan?
You are eligible for a payment plan for work involving your teeth, gums, or all-over oral health. Procedures like root canals, dental implants, cosmetic dentistry involving crowns, veneers, or teeth whitening can be paid by a valid dentist payment plan in Canberra. If you need to get braces, a payment plan has got your back.