Dentist

Jan. 31st, 2011 02:04 pm
[identity profile] versonic.livejournal.com posting in [community profile] davis_square
Hi everyone!

Sorry to post with another dentist question because the tag is obviously widely used, but most people who've used it seem to have insurance.

Anyone have recommendations for those of us who are uninsured and need just a regular cleaning? (Oh, and also to prove to me that I don't have oral cancer, but I figure that'll just be part of them poking around in there...)

I'm in grad school, so money is obviously pretty tight. I would like to pay under $100 if possible.

Date: 2011-01-31 07:33 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] janusirsasana.livejournal.com
Not around Davis Square, but you could try looking into the BU Dental clinic -- if I recall correctly, you can take the CT1, #1 or #47 bus to get there.

Date: 2011-01-31 08:16 pm (UTC)
From: [personal profile] ron_newman
Tufts has one too. Note that this is at the Tufts medical campus in downtown Boston, not here in Somerville. Never used it so I can't say anything else about it.

Date: 2011-01-31 08:32 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] sophiaserpentia.livejournal.com
I've had a fair bit of work done at the Tufts Dental School, and I'm pleased with the results. It can be a bit slower than going to a regular clinic, because all work done by a student has to be double-checked by an instructor. But they seem to have a good reputation overall, and they are inexpensive.

Date: 2011-01-31 07:35 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] amy-s1.livejournal.com
I used Gentle Dental in Porter Square before I had insurance. They are fine for cleanings and the first time is very cheap. Though, their x-ray machine look like its from the 70s and I would probably splurge for a better dentist if I needed some real work done.



Date: 2011-01-31 08:13 pm (UTC)
From: [personal profile] ron_newman
They don't have a good reputation here on DSLJ -- check earlier posts with this tag.

Date: 2011-01-31 08:48 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] real-green-tea.livejournal.com
Go to Dr. van de Rydt and you should be fine. (FWIW he also has good reviews on Yelp.)

If you are affiliated with a university that's affiliated with a dental school, power to you. The rest of us uninsured folks can't actually find a better deal than Gentle Dental's.

You wind up paying a pretty hefty chunk of change at Harvard, BU, or Tufts if you don't go to school there. I've placed a lot of calls around town and waited *years* to go to a dentist... should've checked Yelp sooner!

Date: 2011-01-31 07:52 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ismymiddlename.livejournal.com
This is not an immediate solution, but I try to keep an eye out on Groupon and similar sites - every once in a while they'll have a deal for a cleaning plus exam for something in the realm of $50.

I'm also a grad student with no dental insurance, so I totally feel your pain.

Date: 2011-02-01 04:46 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] skexy.livejournal.com
most of the dentist groupons and such seem to be a cleaning and a deal on whitening; but the price isn't much different than what I see advertised as a first time visit offer, honestly.

Date: 2011-01-31 08:59 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ksushis.livejournal.com
When I was in grad school I used Davis Square Dental for cleanings( I still go there, but I have insurance now - yay). They were under 100$ (something like 87$). You should call and ask what would they charge without insurance. They are great!

Date: 2011-01-31 09:10 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] saraheeyore.livejournal.com
I always recommend Bright Dental, which is closer to Harvard - I didn't have dental insurance for a while, and I think a cleaning was only about $80, and even x-rays weren't that expensive.

Date: 2011-01-31 09:49 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] taxine.livejournal.com
Seconding. I love Bright Dental.

Date: 2011-02-01 01:16 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] prunesnprisms.livejournal.com
I love them, but they are booking cleanings out a crazy amount of time now compared to last year.

Date: 2011-01-31 09:23 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] findingthegirl.livejournal.com
I haven't been there yet, but Cambridge Health Alliance has a dental clinic that offers services for Masshealth users through the Health Safety Net. They might be able to offer uninsured folks free or reduced cost care- worth a call at least.
http://www.challiance.org/services/dental.shtml

Date: 2011-01-31 09:33 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] pywaket.livejournal.com
I'm in a similar situation and am also looking. One additional question: does anyone know if any of the recommended places (or anywhere else local) use ultrasonic scaling tools? I have mild TMJ which makes opening my mouth wide and the pressure of scraping with conventional tools painful for my jaw.

Date: 2011-01-31 11:45 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] littlecitynames.livejournal.com
Tufts is looking for people to come in because it's time for their students' dental exams. There are a ton of ads in the "Volunteers" section on Craigslist similar to this one (http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/vol/2186468012.html).

Date: 2011-02-01 12:58 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] arinamay.livejournal.com
I went to West Somerville Dental (http://www.westsomervilledental.com/). I got a cleaning, digital x-rays, and a night guard for $99.

Date: 2011-02-01 02:44 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] upsidown.livejournal.com
North Cambridge Dental is good (got a rec for them off of this group). They always gave me generous discounts when I was in grad school. Call and ask.

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