Cost of pediatric dentist visit?

MrsBreezer80

So tonight I noticed some discoloration on my daughter's teeth that is new. I am worried about it and would like her to see a dentist, but she is not yet on our dental plan. I've been doing some research on "baby bottle mouth" and its scaring the crap out of me, so I'd rather not wait. Has anyone taken their kiddo to the dentist yet w/out insurance, and if so, how much was it? I know it's different based on area and what they do, just looking for a general idea of what to prepare myself for.

Mustang Sally

We get reimbursed, so I have to pay upfront.  It was about $160 for Ben's recent visit.

schnappycat

I can't remember exactly, but I want to say it was less than $150 for his first visit without insurance. They were supposed to clean, but he wasn't cooperative, so it was just a quickie exam. I actually had called ahead of time to ask them what a typical visit runs because we were planning to add him onto our insurance this year. However, we decided against it since it was going to add something like $1000 onto our plan and 2 visits would be about $300 out of pocket.

Anyhow, can you call and ask them? I bet they could give you a ballpark figure. 

seethesmiles

I am a general dentist in a rural part of the northeast. I charge $35 for a pedi exam and $55 for pedi cleaning. X-rays cost between $25 and $95 depending on how many and what type are needed but I wouldn't routinely take x-rays on a child as young as your DD. I'd only take them if I suspect a problem. Pediatric dentists will likely charge more for the same services.

Does your DD take a daily vitamin? I see a lot of kids with iron stains on their teeth due to the vitamins they take. Hopefully, it's not baby bottle decay! Good luck.

Harper'smom

$60 for an exam and cleaning and we live in a area with a high cost of living.

RaeAnt

Check to see if the dentist has a website and any first time patients specials. Our visit was $25 with the web coupon. if not, call to see how much it is w/o insurance. many times they charge considerably less for cash patients or, depending on your situation, may offer a payment plan. Lastly, check with your state. Some states have that children are covered regardless. You just have to sign up for the program.

Princess_Lily

Approx. 160.00 for exam, cleaning, and x-ray (if needed).

 

Emcat1980@yahoo.com

We've been twice for routine exam/cleaning and both were about $150 total, but covered by dental insurance 100%.

Banana44

I pay up front and insurance re-imburses.

Our first appointment was $261.00.  DD had a chipped tooth that started showing decay - so she had a check-up, cleaning, and the chipped tooth was filed down, treated and built back up.

Also - DD had some staining on her front teeth.  The staining was from food/juice/vitamins - but she also had signs of the beginning of baby bottle mouth (I weaned from breast-feeding the day after her appointment).  The signs of the baby bottle mouth was a white line at the gum line of her 2 front teeth.  It has been 6 months and since I weaned - it hasn't gotten worse!

And DD gets nothing but milk and water now!  and nothing but water after we brush her teeth!

trinandgabe

I've been wondering about this myself. I opted to not add DS to our dental plan because it would have been an additional $450/year and my general dentist told me a visit with him would be $60. Also, I kept on hearing that I should wait until he's three to take him for a visit.

However, I am going to take DS to a pediatric dentist b/c I just noticed that he chipped his front tooth slightly. Hope the visit isn't more than the pp's with the DC with chipped tooth!

trinandgabe

This post inspired me to make an appointment with a pediatric dentist. I was told that the maximum for a first full exam is $292 and that includes all x-rays, which would be highly unlikely for a 2 1/2 year old. I asked for a coupon or whatever, and the receptionist told me she would send me a coupon for $30 off.

MrsBreezer80

Thanks all! I was embarrased to ask the dentist but sucked it up and called - I was worried it would be like $500, but she said that a basic exam is $54, not including a cleaning or x-rays or anything like that. She said that generally they don't do the cleaning this young, and that we'd only need x-rays if there was a problem. Man, I am PRAYING that its not baby bottle decay   I just don't see how my DD will cooperate for that!!!

lona.hunn@gmail.com

Basic toddler check up with no xrays was $69

byrne15

We forgot that we hadn't added ds to our dental plan.  We brought him at 2 years old for his 1st visit and after found out we needed to pay OOP.  It was $50 for an exam and cleaning.