Dental financing

Dental financing: Six options

Before applying for dental work financing, it’s important to know what types are available to you. If you’re looking for how to pay for dental work, you can consider the following options:

1. In-house dental financing. Some dental offices offer interest-free payment plans in-house, especially for dental work that involves return visits. Orthodontists often provide financing for braces or retainers as well. However, not all dental practices offer in-house payment plans and some procedures may not be eligible. Consider comparing local dentists to find one that is willing to work with your budget.
2. Specialized dental loan. There are some lenders that offer loans specifically designed to cover dentistry costs.
3. Personal loan. Personal loans can be used for virtually any purpose, so if you’re looking for loans for dental work, this may be an option for you. You can typically borrow between $1,000 and $35,000 or more with rates ranging from around 2% to 47%. Compare personal loans.
4. Line of credit. A line of credit functions similarly to a credit card. You can spend as much as you need as long as you don’t exceed the limit. When you take money from a line of credit, you’re only required to make interest payments and can pay down the principal whenever you have money available.
5. Overdraft. An overdraft is where the bank allows you to overdraw your account up to a certain limit. You’re able to withdraw anywhere up to and including this limit and then repay it over time at a fixed interest rate.
6. Credit card. Depending on the limit of your card, you may be able to cover the costs of your dental visit. Just keep in mind that the rate of interest on your credit card is likely to be higher than a personal loan or other forms of financing.

How do dental loans work?

A dental loan is a type of personal loan that is used to pay for dental surgery and other dental-related costs. Like many other loan types, loans for dental work tend to be unsecured. This means lenders rely on your credit score, income and ability to repay your loan rather than forcing you to put up collateral, such as your vehicle or home equity.

When you apply for loans for dental work, you request a specific amount to cover the cost. If you’re approved for the loan, your funds will usually be transferred directly into your bank account. Some lenders may pay the dental vendor directly instead. You can use the money right away to finance your dental work. Then, you’ll be required to start making repayments on your loan, preferably always on time and in full. Your loan contract will determine whether you pay weekly, bi-weekly or monthly.

Since dental loans are often unsecured, you can use the money for a variety of legitimate dental purposes. If you need a lot of work done and will be in and out of the dentist for a few months, your loan funds can be spread out to accommodate your needs. In this case, you might want to consider a line of credit instead of a loan. If you only require a one-time visit, you can borrow a small amount and pay it back quickly to save on interest costs.

Can I get dental financing with bad credit in Canada?

Yes, you can get dental loans for bad credit. However, expect to receive higher interest rates and less favourable terms because of your financial situation. In addition, maintain patience while looking for financing solutions because it can take some time to find the right lender. Compare loans for bad credit.

Before applying for dental financing with bad credit, do what you can to improve your credit and financial position. This can increase your odds of approval.

Can I get a dental loan with no credit check?

In Canada, most lenders will check your credit report and score, even if they’re a bad or no credit lender. For this reason, you may struggle to find a lender that won’t perform a credit check at all. No credit check lenders do exist but expect to see higher interest and less favourable terms because of the additional risk the lender is incurring.

How to find the loans for dental work

Before financing dental work, it’s important to identify what you’re looking for in order to find the right loan for your needs. Here are some questions to ask yourself when comparing loans for dental work:

• What is the status of my credit? Check the eligibility criteria offered by lenders and make sure your credit score is above their minimum. Some lenders will require you to have a good to excellent credit score, which is usually over 650, while others will cater to those with fair to poor credit.
• What repayments can I afford? You should be able to work out a rough idea of what your repayments will be based on the loan’s interest rate and ongoing fees. See if this repayment schedule will work with your monthly budget. If you don’t think you can make the loan repayments, don’t apply for the loan and seek other options.
• How much do I need to borrow? Lenders sometimes set minimum and maximum restrictions on how much you can borrow with certain loans. Check out these limits, if applicable, before you apply. Keep in mind you may not be approved for the full amount you want, regardless of whether it’s below their maximum amount offered as this will depend on your income and credit history. Only borrow exactly what you need since you’ll be paying interest on the borrowed amount.
• When do I need the money? Some lenders will be able to give you the funds on the same day you apply or usually by the next business day. However, other lenders may take between five to seven days to disburse your funds, possibly longer. If you need the money in a rush, be sure to compare lenders who offer quick turnaround times.

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How to apply for dental work financing

If you’d like to apply for a personal loan to finance your dental bills, you should begin by comparing your loan options. Once you find a suitable lender, you should confirm that you meet the eligibility criteria. Criteria vary from lender to lender, but you usually need to meet the following requirements:

• Be the age of majority in your province or territory
• Be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident with a valid Canadian address
• Have an active bank account
• Have a steady source of income

If you meet the requirements of the lender, you can proceed to the lender’s website to apply online for the loan. The process usually takes less than ten minutes if you have the necessary information on hand, including your contact, employment and banking details. Alternatively, you can sometimes apply over the phone or in person if the lender has physical branch locations.

Compare dental loans now

What kind of procedures do dental loans pay for?

• Root canals
• Gum surgery
• Wisdom tooth removal
• Tooth whitening
• Dentures
• Braces or retainers
• Veneers
• Cavity filling
• Crowns
• Bridges
• Teeth cleaning
• Periodical checkups

How much does dental work typically cost in Canada?

The cost of a procedure or surgery will depend on whether you have insurance coverage and what your policy covers in terms of dental work. If you don’t have dental insurance, you’ll have to pay out-of-pocket for the entire cost of the procedure. However, some dentists will give you a discount if you don’t have insurance and you are a return customer. Be sure to ask your dentist about pricing and discounts before you have the procedure done.

Here’s what you can expect to pay for some dental procedures without insurance coverage:

• Teeth cleaning: Between $80 and $175
• Cavity filling: Between $110 and $240 per filling
• Wisdom tooth removal: $1,800 for all 4 teeth extractions
• Dental crown: Between $900 and $1,200 per crown
• Root canal: Between $562 and $710 per tooth

Is the dental procedure you need not listed above? Ask your dentist, or multiple dentists, for a quote. This is a normal process in dentistry because procedures can be expensive. Once you have a quote for the dental procedure you need, you can determine how you will finance it. Dental quotes can also be sent to your insurance company. They will tell you what portion is covered so that you can figure out how to pay the remaining balance.

Bottom line

Financing dental work is often necessary for Canadians because of the high cost. With financing options available to people with all types of credit, be sure to compare your loan options and choose a lender that offers you competitive interest rates and favourable loan terms. This way, you can keep your mouth healthy and your budget on track.

Frequently asked questions

• Can I get interest-free dental financing?

  Some lenders offer interest-free or 0% dental financing. This type of financing is most commonly found at dental offices that offer in-house financing, but you might be able to find it elsewhere too. Keep in mind that you will likely need good or excellent credit to be eligible for this type of dental financing.

• Will a dental loan cover my specific procedure?

  Most likely, yes. Lenders don’t usually exclude certain procedures as long as the procedure was performed by a reputable medical professional. You can check the lender’s website before applying or call their customer service line to be sure.

• Can I use a dental loan to pay for a dental bill that's in collections?

  Dental loans are usually meant to pay the facility or dentist that’s owed. If your bill has been sent to collections, a debt consolidation loan may be more fitting. Check with the lender you’re interested in to get more information.