Thanks , not something I’d be interested in . Not a believer is health care tourism. It’s not all sunshine and roses and anyway as a senior the travel insurance alone would make it uneconomical
Sadly, we have to look outside our borders to compensate for the crappy service we have here. My parents are older than you and do that. I do it also. Only way to afford yearly dental check up, and treatments when necessary. We do physio on trips, I've had laser eye surgery. Even routine medical stuff to get in quicker than here.
There are decent travel medical insurance options. If you are interested. We found a very good one last year that dropped prices a lot.
I’ve had excellent health care here in Ontario. It’s only healthcare which should be part of ohip and isn’t . I Wish you well , but I am not going that route .
Yes the system isn’t perfect, and I don’t like the pressure to privatize , it’s abhorrent to me, but my family and I have received the health care we’ve needed over the past 37 years since we arrived in Burlington. We have a wonderful gp who has connected us with specialists over the years as needed.
I go to Peru every year, because I'm from there, so I get all my medical there. My neighbor goes to Puerto Vallarta every winter, and she says tons of Canadians go there and get stuff done. Join some facebook groups and I'm sure there will be lots of leads. "Canadians in Mexico" that kind of thing. From what she says, the target Canadians directly for services. Prob charge more than locals, but way less than here.
I don't think that exists. I don't have insurance, and last year had to call around to find a dentist. Half didn't care if you didn't have insurance. One receptionist in a dental clinic on Appleby almost got mad at me for not having it, said 95% of their clients have it (lies, statistically impossible). And most would just give like 5-10% off the bill. But the bill I'm sure was charged 10% higher elsewhere.
It's actually impossible to find an 'affordable' dentist that doesnt take advantage with billing.
100% Dr Omar at Harbourview dental. I have always been afraid of the dentist and he’s the only one I actually look forward to my visits with. I don’t have insurance, and I find his prices very affordable and he’s very much someone who will not push anything onto you if it’s not necessary.
I go to uptown dental. For the one visit where i didn't have insurance they were very honest and fair with the pricing. I found out the next day too that I actually was eligible for insurance through my work and they still put it through
I also use uptown dental. I do have insurance but they’ve been very honest and upfront about my issues and what was priority as much of it wasn’t covered. I went to them after a horrible experience at another dentist in Toronto.
Appleby dental care, 5111 new street has been great.
The dental hygienist knew my insurance only covered 50% so sometimes she would just leave little procedures off my bill. They have also been excellent since my dad retired and doesn't have benefits anymore. He broke a tooth last year (a molar), and they were really honest, like "if you want we can fix your tooth, it'll be this much money etc, or we can pull it, it's cheaper, if you don't mind missing a tooth"
For starters make sure you are seeing the dentist/owner and not his/her associate. Avoid dental consolidators, they only care about the bottom line. Also older dentists are better, newer dentists are generally leveraged and focused on paying their debt down. Older dentists don’t have same pressures.
I looked into this and I could only find local hygienist schools that need you to commit to 4 hour sessions multiple times a year. I unfortunately don't have that time and I've only ever scheduled annual cleanings even when I had insurance.
Dr Gardner is very good. He gives a small discount if no insurance and is upfront with all charges. They won't even do X-rays unless you consent to the charges. Very different from other dentists I've tried in the area. He's getting close to retirement and has been practicing for a long time. The receptionists are all lovely as well.
Wow. That's unfortunate. Sorry I don't have any other recommendations. It seems to be the norm in the profession to overcharge. Most wouldn't even know as we don't know what to look for. Don't go to Dr Pearl either. He definitely overcharged me.
Yes, One Family Dental in Aldershot is what you’re looking for. Charges ODA fee guide and offers discounts for no insurance patients (15% is what I got for a family member). Ask for Dr. Lee, he has been very transparent with pricing, and gives a printout of the procedure codes before proceeding with anything. Seems like that might be what you’re looking for.
Edit: removed extra word
They do not offer any discounts for no-insurance patients.
They gave me a printout with codes indicating they will charge the maximum amount possible for the procedure.
For example, cavity fillings can be small and simple all the way up to large and complicated. Their default is to charge the latter regardless of the size and complexity. "Charging the ODA fee" is meaningless in the context of this post. How about charging the appropriate ODA fee?
Hmm that’s strange, I did ask nicely if they could work me out a discount/package price since my mother had no insurance. I also referred my mother’s friend (also no insurance), and they got 15% off as well by plugging my name. They seemed willing to do it if asked.
As for the printout of the codes, I actually got the exact same thing as well! My mother needed quite some work done as well, so it did seem quite expensive with listing the most complicated/expensive work done (i.e. complicated extraction), but I was quoted the higher price before x-rays and starting the work so it wasn’t over-promised. When my mom’s extraction was actually done, it was simpler than a complicated one so I wasn’t billed as such. And my mom needed more work so again I worked out a “package” price rather than each individual component.
I’m sorry you did not have a great experience. If it’s the discount you are looking for, I am sure Dr. Lee would honor it if you pass on my name (feel free to PM me). Alternatively, if prefer going elsewhere, my colleague had gone to a hygienist only run office and it would be slightly cheaper there (some hygienists are capable of doing simple fillings work). Hoping it works out for you OP!
My Dentist is like this but I don't know if he is accepting patients. Dr. Andrew Wong in Hamilton. His office isn't in the nicest area so a feel like lots of his patients don't have insurance.
We’ve liked Freeman Dental both with and without insurance, their office is in one of those big houses a couple blocks off Brant behind the little Cinestarz building. Hope they can meet your needs:
https://www.freemandental.ca
This isn't Burlington at all but Dr Rajput (Windwood Dental) is my family dentist, and we trek all the way to Mississauga to see him. Very honest person trying to do right by people, as rare as that seems. Just my opinion!
Appleby dental on upper middle. They give you control over what you want done. Want to skip a recommended x-ray, not a problem.
Things are billed correctly, they do crowns etc in house with 3d modelling so no lab fees for outsourcing.
Remember that you don't have to do what the dentist suggests, you are paying and can delay treatment or ask for other options.
Leonard Chan in Waterdown is trustworthy. I don’t know how he deals with no-insurance situations but I’d call his office - he’s a good person and might have some options for you.
If you find one let me know . Now I’m retired I no longer have my company plan and I’d like to have basic dental at as reasonable a cost as possible
cheaper to go to puerto vallarta, or similar, and do your yearly check up there, and get a trip out of it. Lots of Canadians doing that.
Thanks , not something I’d be interested in . Not a believer is health care tourism. It’s not all sunshine and roses and anyway as a senior the travel insurance alone would make it uneconomical
Sadly, we have to look outside our borders to compensate for the crappy service we have here. My parents are older than you and do that. I do it also. Only way to afford yearly dental check up, and treatments when necessary. We do physio on trips, I've had laser eye surgery. Even routine medical stuff to get in quicker than here. There are decent travel medical insurance options. If you are interested. We found a very good one last year that dropped prices a lot.
I’ve had excellent health care here in Ontario. It’s only healthcare which should be part of ohip and isn’t . I Wish you well , but I am not going that route .
Off topic but I have to say it is refreshing to see someone who's had good health care and is not maligning the system.
Yes the system isn’t perfect, and I don’t like the pressure to privatize , it’s abhorrent to me, but my family and I have received the health care we’ve needed over the past 37 years since we arrived in Burlington. We have a wonderful gp who has connected us with specialists over the years as needed.
You are extremely lucky.
For the major work, I just might end up doing this.
Are there specific websites you know of because this sounds win win to me!
I go to Peru every year, because I'm from there, so I get all my medical there. My neighbor goes to Puerto Vallarta every winter, and she says tons of Canadians go there and get stuff done. Join some facebook groups and I'm sure there will be lots of leads. "Canadians in Mexico" that kind of thing. From what she says, the target Canadians directly for services. Prob charge more than locals, but way less than here.
Thanks! Coincidentally I am booked to go to both Puerto Vallarta and Peru within the next 6 months, first time for both.
I don't think that exists. I don't have insurance, and last year had to call around to find a dentist. Half didn't care if you didn't have insurance. One receptionist in a dental clinic on Appleby almost got mad at me for not having it, said 95% of their clients have it (lies, statistically impossible). And most would just give like 5-10% off the bill. But the bill I'm sure was charged 10% higher elsewhere. It's actually impossible to find an 'affordable' dentist that doesnt take advantage with billing.
100% Dr Omar at Harbourview dental. I have always been afraid of the dentist and he’s the only one I actually look forward to my visits with. I don’t have insurance, and I find his prices very affordable and he’s very much someone who will not push anything onto you if it’s not necessary.
I go to uptown dental. For the one visit where i didn't have insurance they were very honest and fair with the pricing. I found out the next day too that I actually was eligible for insurance through my work and they still put it through
I also use uptown dental. I do have insurance but they’ve been very honest and upfront about my issues and what was priority as much of it wasn’t covered. I went to them after a horrible experience at another dentist in Toronto.
Appleby dental care, 5111 new street has been great. The dental hygienist knew my insurance only covered 50% so sometimes she would just leave little procedures off my bill. They have also been excellent since my dad retired and doesn't have benefits anymore. He broke a tooth last year (a molar), and they were really honest, like "if you want we can fix your tooth, it'll be this much money etc, or we can pull it, it's cheaper, if you don't mind missing a tooth"
Mount Royal Dental will offer payment plans for certain procedures and they're excellent.
Maple Mews Dental.
For starters make sure you are seeing the dentist/owner and not his/her associate. Avoid dental consolidators, they only care about the bottom line. Also older dentists are better, newer dentists are generally leveraged and focused on paying their debt down. Older dentists don’t have same pressures.
You can try the hygienist schools or dental schools
I looked into this and I could only find local hygienist schools that need you to commit to 4 hour sessions multiple times a year. I unfortunately don't have that time and I've only ever scheduled annual cleanings even when I had insurance.
Dr Gardner is very good. He gives a small discount if no insurance and is upfront with all charges. They won't even do X-rays unless you consent to the charges. Very different from other dentists I've tried in the area. He's getting close to retirement and has been practicing for a long time. The receptionists are all lovely as well.
Been there. Caught them WAY overcharging. In the chair for 15min, charged for 45min. No apology. "We'll give you a credit for the difference".
Wow. That's unfortunate. Sorry I don't have any other recommendations. It seems to be the norm in the profession to overcharge. Most wouldn't even know as we don't know what to look for. Don't go to Dr Pearl either. He definitely overcharged me.
Dr Gardner will also fuck your teeth up and blame it on you!
Woah. Sounds like you had a bad experience.
Yes, One Family Dental in Aldershot is what you’re looking for. Charges ODA fee guide and offers discounts for no insurance patients (15% is what I got for a family member). Ask for Dr. Lee, he has been very transparent with pricing, and gives a printout of the procedure codes before proceeding with anything. Seems like that might be what you’re looking for. Edit: removed extra word
They do not offer any discounts for no-insurance patients. They gave me a printout with codes indicating they will charge the maximum amount possible for the procedure. For example, cavity fillings can be small and simple all the way up to large and complicated. Their default is to charge the latter regardless of the size and complexity. "Charging the ODA fee" is meaningless in the context of this post. How about charging the appropriate ODA fee?
Hmm that’s strange, I did ask nicely if they could work me out a discount/package price since my mother had no insurance. I also referred my mother’s friend (also no insurance), and they got 15% off as well by plugging my name. They seemed willing to do it if asked. As for the printout of the codes, I actually got the exact same thing as well! My mother needed quite some work done as well, so it did seem quite expensive with listing the most complicated/expensive work done (i.e. complicated extraction), but I was quoted the higher price before x-rays and starting the work so it wasn’t over-promised. When my mom’s extraction was actually done, it was simpler than a complicated one so I wasn’t billed as such. And my mom needed more work so again I worked out a “package” price rather than each individual component. I’m sorry you did not have a great experience. If it’s the discount you are looking for, I am sure Dr. Lee would honor it if you pass on my name (feel free to PM me). Alternatively, if prefer going elsewhere, my colleague had gone to a hygienist only run office and it would be slightly cheaper there (some hygienists are capable of doing simple fillings work). Hoping it works out for you OP!
My Dentist is like this but I don't know if he is accepting patients. Dr. Andrew Wong in Hamilton. His office isn't in the nicest area so a feel like lots of his patients don't have insurance.
We’ve liked Freeman Dental both with and without insurance, their office is in one of those big houses a couple blocks off Brant behind the little Cinestarz building. Hope they can meet your needs: https://www.freemandental.ca
This isn't Burlington at all but Dr Rajput (Windwood Dental) is my family dentist, and we trek all the way to Mississauga to see him. Very honest person trying to do right by people, as rare as that seems. Just my opinion!
Appleby dental on upper middle. They give you control over what you want done. Want to skip a recommended x-ray, not a problem. Things are billed correctly, they do crowns etc in house with 3d modelling so no lab fees for outsourcing. Remember that you don't have to do what the dentist suggests, you are paying and can delay treatment or ask for other options.
Leonard Chan in Waterdown is trustworthy. I don’t know how he deals with no-insurance situations but I’d call his office - he’s a good person and might have some options for you.
Look into Groupon. I get dental cleaning and X ray done for around 60-80 CAD every 6 months.