Mar 8, 2009 11:00 pm US/Eastern
Health: Discounted Dental Work
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
Going to the dentist is something many people dread. The drilling, the dollars, people love to hate them until you have that killer toothache and can't live without one.
"All of my crowns had to be replaced," said Peggy Rock, who could not afford the going rate for a crown. That's a cap that's fitted over a damaged or decayed tooth. Just one can cost about $1,200.
"We're probably 50 percent of that," said Dr. Arthur Kuperstein, with the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. That is where dental students get their training, eventually moving into the clinic for work on actual patients, like Peggy.
"Here as far as I'm concerned you get good quality as well as affordability, especially with the economy being the way it is," said Peggy.
The prices at the Penn Dental Clinic are lower than what's charged at a regular dentist, for the full range of services. A filling for example costs on average $100, it would be about $50 at the clinic.
"I wouldn't go anywhere else. Anything that can be done privately can be done here," said Peggy.
"We're seeing a slight increase in the numbers of patients coming in to our clinic because their own personal funding and financial capabilities," said Dr. Kuperstein. He says the students are carefully monitored to make sure there's no pain, and that the work is top-notch.
"State of the art procedures and without compromise the patients are getting high quality," said Dr. Kuperstein.
"They're so good and so caring," said Peggy.
Tom Leibowitz has had some of the more complicated procedures like bone grafts, and gum surgery. The price was right.
"It was done right and I didn't have any problems," said Tom.
The clinic does take patients with insurance, also at a reduced rate.
RELATED LINK:
http://www.dental.upenn.edu
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