How Much To Get Teeth Cleaned

March 18, 2014

teeth cleaning cost

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SUMMARY: How much does teeth cleaning cost? Here in the New York metro area, it can cost from $50 to $299, and we've heard even higher numbers. Why? Well, it depends. Who's the provider, and what all is included? Are you paying cash? Do you want X-rays with that? Keep reading for advice, or…

Looking for a price on teeth cleaning? You're not alone. One of our fairly common searches is "how much does teeth cleaning cost?"

More than 130 million Americans, about a third of the population, lack dental insurance, according to a recent congressional report. So shopping around for a dental cleaning, to find a good provider at a good price, is not uncommon.

What you need to know

Dental services are more of an open market than some of our other procedures. You should expect prices to vary. Be prepared for package offers. Always ask about discounts or specials.

Also, remember that a basic teeth cleaning is not always standard. Some clinics include an exam and X-rays in the cleaning. Others don't.

Always ask what the teeth cleaning will include. Take notes; take names. That way if there's any misunderstanding, you can explain, "Bob told me the basic cleaning includes X-rays, and an exam is an additional $59" or whatever.

Some providers offer dental cleanings that incorporate an exam as well. Sometimes you'll go to a provider to get a cavity filled, and they'll offer a cleaning for an additional, reduced price.

Usually a provider will give you a set price, but sometimes they will say the price could turn out to be greater "depending on the need of the patient." Be wary of that idea: the last thing you want is to finish up and get asked for an extra $100.

If you're insured, ask up front what it will cost you after your deductible or co-pay. If you're not insured, ask your provider what the cash or self-pay rate is for the service you want. Get it in writing.

Ask for discounts or specials: Can I get a cleaning with your exam? An exam with your cleaning? Do X-rays cost extra?

Where to go

There are a number of choices for providers, including the local dentist, who may be your provider now.

In some cities, there's a list, like this one for New York City, including not only dental clinics but also other free and low-cost providers. There's also this listing for dental and other services from the nonprofit Greater New York Hospital Association. There may be other options where you live, like state programs including Office of Vermont Health Access and Vermont's Dr. Dynasaur for kids.

This remarkable site, toothwisdom.org, from the nonprofit Oral Health America, lists resources geared toward older adults, but there may well be resources for others.

We don't give medical advice, but we do try to help you think about saving money – so, you might want to look for a school of dentistry or dental hygiene training; they can have clinics where students will practice under supervision. Free or reduced-cost clinics check your income, while others like dental schools may not.

Thinking about dental chains? Be careful; some of them have been accused of using deceptive business models. Here's an article about that and here is another on the same topic – know where you are going before you go.

Dental insurance in general

Many employers, especially bigger ones, offer dental insurance, but typically it is separate from the medical insurance plan. You should also check for sure what's included; quite often one or two cleanings a year are included, but things like cosmetic work, including orthodontia, may have limited coverage.

Under the Affordable Care Act, insurance policies purchased on either the state or federal exchanges may or may not include children's dental insurance, and thus it is often sold separately. Some states, like Connecticut, require it as part of all plans, but most do not. (Here's a New York Times article about the topic.)

No insurance? No problem

If you lack dental insurance outside of the workplace, and anticipate dental expenditures, you could buy a dental insurance policy. If you want one, there are nationwide marketplaces like getinsured.com, ehealthinsurance.com and so on that offer dental insurance. There may also be local providers.

There are also a few nationwide dental plans that are insurance plans or resemble insurance. Check out dentalplans.com, for example, or careington.com.

Dental insurance plans typically have a coverage limit, so be sure you know what you're buying. In general, insurers will understand that if you are buying dental insurance you are planning to use it – so the coverage limits under a given premium may make it not so appetizing. Check what's covered.

Also, some doctor and dentist offices offer payment plans like CareCredit, a division of GE Capital Retail Bank. The way it works: you get your treatment, and a payment plan. The provider gets paid up front, but you get the price of the procedure, plus a financing charge, and quite often stiff penalties if you don't meet the schedules. Consumer advocates advise approaching these plans with caution – people have found themselves with unacceptable debt. (Here's a New York Times article about that topic.)

So, how much does teeth cleaning cost?

Here at clearhealthcosts.com, we do pricing surveys for the self-pay prices for common procedures. What we have found nationwide is a range from $20 to $300-plus if you ask in advance and pay cash; here's our price list for the New York area and here's our price list for the Los Angeles area.

Here's a price list for the San Francisco area for teeth cleaning. Here's a list of teeth cleaning prices in the Houston area. Here's a list of prices in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Also, a California company called brighter.com offers the opportunity to book with providers for a price quoted online. So far they're deep in the Los Angeles area, but don't have New York providers. "Brighter is the first true dental marketplace, making it easy for patients to find and book an appointment with a quality, affordable dentist," the site says. "Our online service allows cash-paying patients to manage their dental health by giving them free access to pre-negotiated prices at hundreds of top dentists."

(A younger startup competitor, healthsouk.com, with a similar business model, seems to have gone out of business – at least their web site is not responding.)

It's not unusual to see Groupon, Livingsocial or similar coupons and other offers for dental care, especially whitening but also cleaning and other dental care.

The takeaway: Questions to ask

As we always say, know before you go. Call before you go. Ask how much you will be charged. Take notes. Take names. Take numbers.

Here are some questions.

How much will teeth cleaning cost?
How much will it cost ME?
Is it a set price, or can the price vary?
What all is covered in that price?
Is this covered by insurance without a copay (if applicable)? If not, why not?
Do you have a sliding scale based on income, family size and other factors? How does that work?
Are there other fees or charges?
Do you have a prompt-pay discount, a cash or self-pay rate?
Will I be charged for an initial visit, for x-rays, and also for the cleaning?
If I need a filling, how much will that cost?
Is there a separate charge for the doctor's visit, or is it all included in the price you just named?