How Much Does A Dental Exam Cost Without Carefree Dental?

The cost of an average oral examination costs about $76.00…however that price depends on a lot of factors, including:

• The dentist you’re seeing. Providers set their own prices, and some are more expensive than others.
• The area you live in. For example, a dental exam in a big city will probably be more expensive than one in a small town.
• The services being included. Is the provider taking x-rays? Doing any teeth-whitening? Filling cavities? These extras will cost more, but you don’t have to agree to them. (Many dentists recommend getting your teeth x-rayed once a year.)

Keep in mind, $76.00 is the cost for a single office visit. Most dentists will recommend that you come back every 6 months, which brings the annual cost to a total of $152.00 per year.

Why Carefree Dental Is the Best Discount Dental Plan for Oral Exams

Carefree Dental is the smart way for your entire household to save money on your next dental exam—even if you have an appointment this afternoon.

With the Carefree Dental Discount Card, you’ll get a discount of 15-50% per visit*, in most instances, on dental expenses—instantly and automatically. No paperwork to fill out, and no waiting for an insurance company to process your claim. You simply show your card during your visit and pay a discounted price.

How Much Can You Save with Carefree Dental?

On average, the Carefree Dental Card will save you 54% ($41) per oral exam. That adds up to $82 in savings per year if you go every 6 months.

And if that wasn’t good enough, the Carefree Dental family membership also applies to everyone in your household. That’s right: all you need is one card to save money on everyone’s dental exams !

In other words, you’ll save $82 per person, per year…which adds up to an impressive $328 in annual savings for a household of 4.

Plus your card comes with no commitments, so you’re free to cancel anytime. (We’ll even give you a full refund if you cancel within the first 30 days.)

There are a lot of payment plans for dental exams out there, but only Carefree Dental gives you the freedom and flexibility to save without a contract, without paying extra for all the other members of your household, and without jumping through hoops and filling out reams of paperwork.

And best of all?

Carefree Dental is powered by the Aetna Dental Access® Network, so there are many affordable participating dentists around the country to choose from.

Find out if your dentist accepts the Carefree Dental Card!

What Is a Dental Exam?

Think of an oral exam as a checkup for your teeth and gums. It’s mainly a preventive measure that helps make you aware of any potential problems in your oral hygiene before they become a big issue.

During your dental exam, a dentist or dental hygienist will clean your teeth and evaluate the health of your teeth and gums. They may also perform diagnostic procedures such as taking x-rays and screening for oral cancer.

Most dentists recommend you have an oral exam done twice a year. It’s important to keep a regular schedule with your dental exams to catch any cavities or other issues before they become a real problem.

What Happens During a Dental Exam?

Clean Your Teeth

Your hygienist will give your teeth a thorough cleaning, including scraping off hard-to-remove tartar that has built up since your last visit and removing recent stains from your teeth.

Teach You Proper Brushing & Flossing Technique

Many people don’t use the proper technique when brushing & flossing your teeth. If you’re one of them, your dentist or dental hygienist will be able to teach you how to brush & floss correctly so that you can take better care of your teeth and gums.

Catch Cavities Before They Become Serious

Your dentist will check for cavities during every oral exam. Catching a cavity early means you can fill it before it causes any serious erosion of your tooth. (If you don’t catch & treat a cavity early, you may end up needing a dental crown to fix it.)

Evaluate the Health of Your Gums

Most people think of dentists as those guys who take care of your teeth…but the truth is, they focus just as much on the health of your gums. Your dentist will check for signs of gum disease (gingivitis) before it evolves into periodontitis—which could ultimately lead to tooth loss.

Take Diagnostic X-Rays

Once a year or so, your dentist may want to take x-rays to see more detailed images of your mouth and teeth. The Mayo Clinic lists some of the most common dental x-ray images:

• Periapical view images, which reveal the entire tooth. This can help reveal the source of oral pain.
• Occlusal view images, which give a clear picture of your bite (how your upper and lower teeth come together when your mouth is closed).
• Bitewing view images, which show your teeth from the crown down to the supporting bone. These x-rays can reveal gum disease and tooth decay.
• Panoramic films. These are extra-oral images that show your entire mouth area in one shot. This can reveal impacted teeth, newly emerging teeth, and developing cancers.

These images can help your dentist catch any problems that may not be visible to the naked eye.

Screen for Cancer

During your visit your dentist should also check for signs of oral cancer by examining the insides of your cheeks, the roof of your mouth, and the sides of your tongue. He or she will also carefully feel the area under and around your jaw and the sides of your neck.

Catching oral cancer early is important, because the survival rate of these cancers is 80-90%—but only when treated at an early stage of development.

Check for Bite Issues

Your dentist can also check your bite and jaw to make sure that your teeth meet in the proper place. An off-center bite can lead to grinding, jaw pain, and even temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD).

Looking for a Cheap Dental Exam?

If the thought of paying full-price for a dental exam scares you, don’t feel bad: you’re not alone.

Thousands of people have trouble paying for full-price dental care. And unfortunately, most dentists don’t offer oral exam payment plans…which means you usually have to pay for the entire visit up-front.

Luckily, there’s Carefree Dental.

Your Carefree Dental Card provides an instant discount, so you don’t have to wait for any paperwork or processing to save 15-50% per visit*, in most instances. Just select a participating provider, reference the network name when scheduling your appointment and you’ll automatically pay a lower rate.

And remember: your card will be activated as soon as you sign up, so you can use it to save money on your next oral exam—even if it’s today.

Your Card Includes Vision & Prescription Benefits, Too

Your new discount card with Carefree will also give you significant discounts on vision & prescription benefits included at no extra charge.

That means you’ll also save big on eye exams, glasses, and prescription medications from pharmacies like CVS and Walmart.

Don’t Wait for an Emergency—Sign Up Today

Carefree Dental is the smart way to save a boatload of money on your dental expenses. For just a small monthly fee, your entire household with a family membership can save 15-50% per visit*, in most instances, on dental expenses.

But there’s only one way to reap these savings: you have to sign up.

Don’t be caught off-guard by a sudden and unexpected dental procedure. Get the Carefree Dental Card and secure your savings today.

"I had 4 teeth extracted and received a full set of dentures. I saved around $5,000. I am recommending Carefree to others and very happy with the plan!" –  Barbara S., TX

30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

If you're not 100% happy with your plan, cancel within the first 30 days after the effective date and we'll refund you in full—no questions asked, no hassle.

Money Back Savings Guarantee

If the savings on your dental care for the year add up to less than your plan’s annual cost, the difference will be paid directly to you.

* Actual costs and savings vary by provider, service and geographical area.

**As of September 2021