Cons of Dental School
Dental schools can offer you most of the services you need at a much lower cost than a typical dentist, but it's not appropriate for every type of treatment. Because dental students are practicing, they may work more slowly than an experienced dentist in order to complete these procedures effectively. Your appointment may therefore take longer than usual, which isn't ideal if you're pressed for time.
And naturally, it's less personal. Chances are you've seen your dentist for years; he or she knows your history, prescribes you mouthwashes such as Colgate PreviDent® Dental Rinse and treats you accordingly. Dental schools don't have the luxury of repeat patients and cycle through students as they matriculate. You can expect to relay your health and dental history to new students each time you make a visit.
Insurance can be complicated, as well. In many casts, Medicaid and most dental insurance policies cover work done by accredited dental schools (you can check to make sure a school is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation). You might find, however, that you're responsible to pay for service upfront and then make a claim for reimbursement through your insurance carrier afterward. When in doubt, give your provider a call before you have any work done through an institution.
Having discount dental work done through a dental school makes financial sense if the idea of paying for typically pricey services is enough of an ache. As long as you clear the work through your insurance policy and choose an accredited school, you can save hundreds of dollars while still getting the care that you need.