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Dental Schools

9 years ago

I need a new crown on a back tooth, which will cost $780.00 over and above my Medicare. Have heard good things about getting dental work done much cheaper @ a dental school, and wondered if anyone here had done this?

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Comments (7)

crazybrunette64
9 years ago
I haven't, but when my ex was in dental school I recall that their work is checked by the faculty dentists. I would give it a try.
Elmer J Fudd
9 years ago
To my knowledge, Medicare doesn't cover typical dental services at all.

One of my kids went to dental school. Most schools offer services in various clinics, sometimes including the following three, depending on what's needed and what the patients prefer:

- services provided by dental students in the so-called pre-doctoral clinic

- services provided by post-doctoral residents pursuing advanced training - periodontics, endodontics, etc.

- services provided by faculty members

In general the skill of the provider and the fees charged increase as you go down the list top to bottom and the amount of time required for a given treatment decreases. The fees for the first two are generally below market prices and for faculty providers are typically comparable. Yes, all services done by students or trainees are "supervised" by faculty to a degree, more so in the pre-doctoral clinics and less so for post-doctoral residents.
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sjerin
9 years ago
My mother did this for a few years, but it turned out not to be much less than a regular dentist. The appointment also took a lot longer. Check it out with quotes.
Jmc101
9 years ago
Ask your regular dentist for a break on the price. Some dentists will help out and lower the price.
Elmer J Fudd
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Don't know where your mother went, sjerin, but I'm pretty sure all the California dental schools, as an example, have discounted prices for services provided by students and residents.
mamapinky0
9 years ago
My son went to a dental school in Pittsburgh. Pitt Dental. He had a few caps and root canals. I don't know what it cost him but he said it was much much less than any quotes anywhere else. They also broke it down into monthly payments. All work was monitored by a senior dentist. Hes been very happy with their work.
dedtired
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
My ex attended the University of PA Dental School. They had a clinic where the students worked. The faculty members (experienced dentists) oversaw all their work and it had to be right. Yes, it is less expensive but it does take longer. Depends on whether you have more time or more money! Everyone I know who went there was satisfied.

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