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!