Dental/dental hygiene trainees discuss treatment costs, access to care, trust, and managing patient expectations. (2023)
Our initial appointment with our evaluation has a certain cost to it, and typically for insurance purposes, it’s only covered once every lifetime. But the difference is, the school prices are unmatched, compared to private practices. And so what could be $150 intake somewhere else? I don’t know how to [. . .] was [$]45 here. And then if someone really can’t afford something like maybe x-rays, but you know you need to take it, then you do have the ability to reach out to your Clinic Director and say like, “Hey, is this something that we can write off?” And I think patients realize that you value them, and really want them to continue to come. And then they take a step back after you do your initial intake and then realize, “Okay, even though I think I can’t afford this, we have a plan. So now I know what I need to save up, or what I need to ask for, or work for.”