[CrunchyGranolaMom]

I'm getting desperate here. I have 4 kids and cannot afford $180 each for a visit to the dentist! Anyone have any recs for a dentist I won't need to re-mortgage my house for?!

We live in Malden, which is not exactly a high-priced suburb, yet even here teh dentists cost a mint.....

Love to get any input here! Thanks! (p.s. no dental insurance and we would not qualify for gov't assistance)

 

[yonit]

What about Tufts Dental School?

 

[CrunchyGranolaMom]

I love having smart friends! Thank you--I didn't even think of them!

btw, if you're desperatly seeking good kosher food, have you had Efraim's cooking at Hebrew College? If you're ever in Newton, his cooking is GREAT. Tomorrow he's making Thai chicken. I'm drooling just thinking about it!

 

[yonit]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrunchyGranolaMom I love having smart friends! Thank you--I didn't even think of them! btw, if you're desperatly seeking good kosher food, have you had Efraim's cooking at Hebrew College? If you're ever in Newton, his cooking is GREAT. Tomorrow he's making Thai chicken. I'm drooling just thinking about it!

No, I didn't even know they were open to the public. Sounds yummy. But Tuesdays we are at Voyagers, so won't happen tomorrow.

Maybe we could meet up sometime though?

:

 

[DaughterOfKali]

Franciscan Children's Hospital has a dental clinic in it.

 

[CrunchyGranolaMom]

Yonit--I emailed you.

Thanks for the idea, Daughter of Kali. I called them and they put me on hold for forever and then disconnected me. I looked on the Franciscan Children's website and they seem to only take kids w. pretty severe developmental issues or profound dental issues. Here's the link:

So I spent all of dd's naptime today calling around to places.

Tufts Dental's website says that their prices are not significantly different than private dentists.

Gentle Dental will take my older girls, but not the little two (and my $$$ [former] dentist told us that the 6 y/o has two cavities, so she's the one I need to get in sooner rather than later....). $57 new patient special for the whole shebang (exam, cleaning, x-rays if necessary, flouride if a kid)

BU Dental: $30 "just to open a chart on a new patient, without doing anything". Initial exam is $125-$450 depending on the work. I said that was rather a large range and asked for the price of cleaning and fluoride: the receptionist was not sure of cost. She may (or may not) call me back with that info

Harvard dental is much cheaper than the others. up to $100 for a cleaning, checkup and fluoride. checkup is $24. cleaning is $40. Unfortunately for us, they only see new patients on Wednesday, and, after tomorrow (which we can't go to) they aren't open til January b/c of college winter break.

Hope that helps some of you folks!

btw, I also called 7 local dentists and the price for a new patient appt is $160-$180.

If anyone has any other ideas, I'd love to hear them. Thanks!

 

[DaughterOfKali]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrunchyGranolaMom Thanks for the idea, Daughter of Kali. I called them and they put me on hold for forever and then disconnected me. I looked on the Franciscan Children's website and they seem to only take kids w. pretty severe developmental issues or profound dental issues. Here's the link:

They also take children who have difficulty coping with dental treatment.
My son goes there.

Although I'm looking for a place closer to home.

 

[kdabbler]

Keep on trying to get the prices for BU. Just an FYI, if your kids ever have to have oral surgery, they would refer you to Franciscan because they don't have the facilities there. However, our BU dentist/prof did all the work at Franciscan.

 

[CrunchyGranolaMom]

Just wanted to post a follow-up. My dd has had two appts at Harvard Dental and they've been fine (much longer than at a more experienced dentist, but otherwise, just fine). The first--cleaning, flouride, xrays and parking cost in the low $80s, I believe (over 1/2 what my old dentist charged for a cleaning and without xrays).

Today, my toddler had her first appt and my 6 y/o had a cavity filled (they found one plus one to watch where my old dentist had found two). Total for today was $180.

There were signs up at the clinic saying that this Saturday, 2/7/09, from 9-12 they are doing FREE cleanings and exams! Call for an appt. (617) 432-1434 is the number I called, although I'm not sure that's the correct number for these appts.