Complete Guide to Dental Loans
Posted by Frank Gogol in Loans | Updated on May 30, 2023
We all want to have perfect teeth, with no cavities or imperfections. The problem is that for this to happen, you need to pay a visit to your dentist regularly. And as much as this might look like an ideal solution, no one rushes to the dentist until it’s too late. At that point, the cost to repair the damage will be very high.
The problem is that among people that don’t get regular dental care, around 69% say it’s because of the costs. Dental insurance is not available to some people, and many procedures would require pulling the money out of their own pocket – money that they do not have.
This is where dental loans come in. Simply waiting until you save money for your procedure might just make your dental problems worse. It’s much better to apply for a loan and get the problem done fast, rather than postponing the issue until it’s too late to save anything.
Table of Contents
What Are Dental Loans?
A dental loan is a personal loan that you use to pay your dentist for the work they do on your teeth. These loans are usually unsecured, which is why you will likely not have to put down any collateral. That being said, since lenders take more risks with these loans, you may expect a high-interest rate as well.
What Can You Use Dental Loans For?
Sometimes, dental insurance may not be enough to cover the costs of your dental procedures. This applies especially if you have a high-deductible plan on your hands. Before the deductibles are applied, you need to cover the costs yourself somehow. Plus, insurance won’t cover your dental procedures if they are cosmetic unless it’s a hindrance or physically affects you (i.e., a chipped tooth or cavity filling).
Some common procedures that you may use a dental loan for are tooth extractions, cavity filling, dental cleaning, chipped tooth repair, crown, or dental implant. Some procedures can be as low as $75 for tooth extraction, but if you want to add a dental implant in the mix, that’s another $2,400 at least.
Before You Apply for a Dental Loan
Dental loans can be rather messy, especially if you have a big procedure coming your way. To make sure you don’t pass through any bumps, here are some things you might want to consider doing beforehand.
Check Your Credit Score
The higher your credit score, the lower your annual percentage rate (APR) will be. If your credit score is lower than 640, then your chances of qualifying for a loan with a good interest rate will be slim. You may want to check with the credit bureau and see exactly where your credit score is at.
Even if you have a low credit score, it does not mean that you cannot get a loan. It simply means that you have to be less picky about your choices. Plus, by checking your credit score, you may get an idea of how much you need to pay in interest. This way, you will know whether you can afford the loan or not.
Get Pre-Qualified
The next thing you will have to do after you check your credit score is to get your APR, after which you may proceed to get pre-qualified. When you pre-qualify, you can do a soft credit check to see the potential terms of your credit.
Getting pre-qualified will not affect your credit score in the least. The process is also simple. All you have to do is send some basic information to the lender, such as how much you earn every year, the amount that you want to borrow, and why you want to get the loan out in the first place.
How to Apply for Dental Loans
Once you are pre-qualified, you may begin the application process. This includes the following steps:
Compare Lenders
Once you get pre-qualified, you already know which type of loan works best for you. As a result, you may want to compare various lenders, to see if they meet your needs. Make sure that they can also cover the amount that you need to borrow.
Collect Documents
Once the lender has been decided on, you should start gathering the paperwork. This can be anything from bank statements to recent pay slips that prove your income over the past couple of months. Each lender will require specific documents, so you might want to ask them what they need first.
Apply for a Dental Loan
Once you have the documents, you may submit your request for a loan. The lenders will do a hard inquiry on you to see whether you are eligible or not. Bear in mind that this will show on your credit report and may even affect your credit score – especially if you’ve taken many loans over the past few months.
Best Dental Loan Lenders
Some of the lenders that may offer you a dental loan are:
LightStream
If you have a strong credit of at least 660, then LightStream may let you borrow up to $100,000. This is a good option if you have a huge dental procedure ahead of you. The Estimated APE is between 4.99% and 19.99%, so you can get a good rate if your credit score is on your side.
Upstart
If you don’t have a good credit history or no credit history at all, then Upstart can literally give you the start. You can borrow up to $50,000, and the estimated APR is between 5.41% and 35.99%.
Upgrade
Those with a minimum credit score of 560 and a minimum credit history of 2 years can borrow up to $50,000 from Upgrade. You may repay the money over 2 to 7 years, and the APR will be somewhere between 6.95% and 35.97%.
LendingClub
If you have a 600 minimum credit score, then you may borrow up to $40,000 from LendingClub for your dental procedures. APR starts at 6.35%, and you may repay that money within 3-5 years.
OneMain Financial
OneMain Financial is also a good option for those with poor or no credit, as it has no minimum credit score. You can borrow up to $20,000, which is more than enough for a dental procedure, and APR starts at 18%.
Alternative Dental Financing Options
Dental loans are great, but if you do not have the credit for them, you may try alternatives. For instance, many dentists offer a financial plan that allows you to pay back a certain amount per month. Some dentists also enable you to negotiate the price to get a lower one.
Dental credit cards and dental savings plans can also help you cover your costs. For example, a 0% credit card can be useful, as you don’t have to pay APR within the first year.
Read More
- Soft Inquiry Personal Loans: What They Are + Your Options
- How to Get a Personal Loan with No Cosigner
- No Prepayment Penalty Loan: The 3 Best Options
- The Ultimate Guide to Loan for Pilot Training
- Online Loans with Monthly Payments
- Personal Loan with a Cosigner
Final Thoughts
Dental procedures can be expensive, but there are plenty of ways to finance them. Just find a good lender that can cover the amount that you need, and then go grab the bull by the horns. The sooner you go to the dentist’s cabinet, the better it will be.
