How to Find an Affordable Dentist Without Sacrificing Quality

Jessica Levco

February 6, 2025

Many people think cheaper dental care means lower quality, but that's not always true. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), you can find affordable dental care without giving up quality.

Regular dental care is important for staying healthy. According to Mayo Clinic, poor oral hygiene can cause problems like heart disease, stroke, diabetes issues and pregnancy complications. These issues can happen if the bacteria in your mouth spreads through your body and causes inflammation.

Going to the dentist regularly helps catch and treat problems like cavities and gum disease early, which keeps you healthier overall. You shouldn’t wait to see the dentist only when something is wrong. It’s better to prevent problems than to fix them later, and there are many good reasons to keep up with regular dental checkups, the Oral Health Foundation says.

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing twice daily using a fluoride toothpaste like Sensodyne Clinical White Toothpaste, and flossing daily in addition to routine dental visits for cleanings and oral-health checkups twice a year.

At Altogether Dental, we believe quality, affordable dental care should be accessible to everyone. With an Altogether Dental membership, you can enjoy 15-50% savings on all dental treatment with unlimited usage year-round.

Understanding the Balance Between Cost and Quality in Dental Care

Visiting dental school clinics, where students provide supervised care at lower costs.
Going to community health centers that offer a dental discount based on what you can afford.
Checking if you're eligible for Medicaid, which might cover dental benefits in some states.

NIDCR suggests that you can maintain good oral health without spending too much by exploring these options.

Some factors contribute to the quality of dental care. Your dentist’s experience level, practice location, if the practice uses high-tech equipment and patient reviews may mean a higher cost.

Are Dental Schools the Answer for Affordable Care?

Dental schools can be a great option for affordable, high-quality care, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reports. HHS says these schools have dental school clinics where dental students treat patients at lower costs to gain hands-on experience while they’re supervised by licensed and experienced dentists to ensure safe and effective treatment.

Dental school clinics are one option for affordable dental care; however, in 2023 there were 67 schools operating clinics in 37 states and Puerto Rico, according to the American Dental Education Association (ADEA). If you don’t live in a location with a dental school clinic, that can affect your access to care. In that case, you might consider a dental savings plan.

Utilize Dental Discount Plans and Membership Programs

With a dental savings plan like Altogether Dental, you can enjoy 15-50% savings on all dental procedures with unlimited usage. A membership starts at $7.50 a month.

Dental membership programs and discount plans work by charging a low monthly fee and offering you discounted rates on dental services within a network. You sign up for the plan, find a dentist in your area and let them know you have a membership plan when you make your appointment. With Altogether Dental, membership benefits start the day you sign up. You'll get quality dental care at a lower cost.

That lower cost doesn’t mean poor quality care. At Altogether Dental, membership covers every dental service, including annual routine cleanings, fillings, X-rays, crowns, orthodontics, cosmetic procedures like teeth whitening and veneers, braces, major treatments such as root canals, and much more.

Assess Dental Insurance Options Carefully

If you don’t have dental insurance through work, you’re in good company. In 2018, less than 50% of U.S. workers had dental insurance, the U.S. Bureaus of Labor Statistics reports.

The ADA recommends a dental insurance plan if you:

Want to know your monthly and yearly costs so that you can budget.
Have family members, especially kids or teens, who need dental care.
Expect that someone in your family may need major dental work in the future.

What if you can't afford dental work even with insuranceplans? Dental and health insurance are not created equally. You could ask your dentist about payment options or discounts, the ADA says.

Dental payment plans are a way that you finance your care and make payments until it’s paid, the ADA says. The ADA encourages you to evaluate payment options and financing policies first, and it also offers advice for third-party financing.

Even if you have dental insurance, you can add a dental membership or discount plan to help offset your care costs. A dental discount plan is not insurance; rather, it is a membership that offers you savings of 15%–50% on services.

When you’re looking for a dentist, ask your friends and family for recommendations or read online reviews.

“I must say Altogether is literally better than having insurance. I had insurance but canceled,” says Adelina, an Altogether Dental member. “Altogether’s fee schedule is better priced than insurance.”

If you’re searching “find a dentist near me” on Altogether Dental’s website, you’ll be prompted to enter your ZIP code to find care closest to you. It’s easy to find a dentist in your area and schedule an appointment. Once you’ve found your dentist, you can schedule an appointment online or by calling their office. You can also talk directly to our Altogether Dental concierge service team with any questions.