Holy Cows, we should all be dentists - Page 2

[BookGoddess]

Our dental plan is probably the worst I've ever had in my working life. We get only one cleaning a year and we have to pay for a lot of things that used to be covered under my previous employer's plan. I'm hoping that when DH's health insurance has an open season we can get dual coverage through one of the plans his employer offers.

In reference to the title of this thread - we should all be dental hygienists. I'm related to a dental hygienist. She makes ...*drum roll*..$56/hour! The only dentist I know, on a personal level, works all the time including weekends with little time for a family life. I really don't envy her life.

[Einen]

Originally Posted by BookGoddess

Our dental plan is probably the worst I've ever had in my working life. We get only one cleaning a year and we have to pay for a lot of things that used to be covered under my previous employer's plan. I'm hoping that when DH's health insurance has an open season we can get dual coverage through one of the plans his employer offers.

In reference to the title of this thread - we should all be dental hygienists. I'm related to a dental hygienist. She makes ...*drum roll*..$56/hour! The only dentist I know, on a personal level, works all the time including weekends with little time for a family life. I really don't envy her life.

The dental hygienist I know makes nowhere near that much money.

Though I have heard that "temp" hygienists can make that much.

[boysrus]

My niece was a dental assistant and she made okay money. However, she told me that hygienists inn her area of California were making bank, and could work part time if they chose. A lot of moms were doing it because of the great money and flexible hours.
Me, I can't stand the sound of metal scraping on teeth, so I will pass on that career opportunity!

[MrsMike]

I feel your pain. DH need a root canal and he needs a crown. We haven't had health or dental insurance for well over a year. We haven't been to the dentist because we can't afford it, but DH finally had to go. He was having such horrible pain and his gums were quite inflamed around the tooth. He went to his old dentist because he is cheaper than my dentist. So far it's cost us $900 dollars. They set up a payment plan so he could pay in three installments but we really don't have $50 dollars to spend on this, let alone $900. It was something that had to be done and my husband put it off long enough due our lack of insurance. Because he put it off so long the tooth was in worse shape and he may not even be able to get his crown. He may need an implant or bridge which costs way more than what we're paying now. He won't be able to get either if that's the case because we can't afford anymore. If he can't get his crown/cap/whatever you call it I will seriously break down because all that money is gone. I need dental care, too. I lost a filling, the bonding on my front teeth is almost all gone and I know I have cavities. God knows when I'll get it done.
I don't know about DH's dentist, but my Dr. is extremely rich. He has a few expensive cars, a big house, vacation homes. He doesn't pay his staff well and he doesn't give them benefits. I just found this out recently so I don't know if I can go back to him whenever we get insurance.

[root*children]

Do you have any dental schools near you? I've never been to one, but it seems if the work wasn't too major, it'd be worth going (like a filling, not a root canal )

You should also look into other towns nearby to do dental work. I've always lived in expensive places. No towns within a couple hours from me have cheap dentists, but my mom lives in Omaha, and the dentists there are CHEAP! Good dental work, too. Every time I go visit her, I schedule a visit, b/c it's guaranteed that *something* will need to be fixed in my dam*ed mouth. I've gotten my wisdom teeth pulled there, a root canal, several fillings, etc. I can't remember too many exact prices, the root canal was $500! Gotta love that!

[rsummer]

Originally Posted by root*children

Do you have any dental schools near you? I've never been to one, but it seems if the work wasn't too major, it'd be worth going (like a filling, not a root canal )

You should also look into other towns nearby to do dental work. I've always lived in expensive places. No towns within a couple hours from me have cheap dentists, but my mom lives in Omaha, and the dentists there are CHEAP! Good dental work, too. Every time I go visit her, I schedule a visit, b/c it's guaranteed that *something* will need to be fixed in my dam*ed mouth. I've gotten my wisdom teeth pulled there, a root canal, several fillings, etc. I can't remember too many exact prices, the root canal was $500! Gotta love that!

Thats super funny 'cause my mom is in omaha also... when I lived there was also the last time I had regular dental care!