Dental Financing With No Credit Check: How to Pay for Braces, Implants, etc

There are a lot of options to finance dental work and/or make it more affordable. Dental loan providers that work with customers with less-than-perfect credit include DentalLoans.com, iCare Financial, MyMedicalLoan.com, and United Medical Credit. Bad credit or no credit dental care financing options are listed below, along with information about free or low-cost clinics and dental savings plans.

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How to Choose a Dental Loan Provider

Finding the right provider for your dental loan means doing your research. Dental care lenders have varying credit requirements, procedure restrictions, and loan limits. It’s also important to be aware of the financial risks involved with taking a loan. Here are the questions you need to consider to find the best match:

What are the credit requirements?
Some loan providers look at your overall financial situation, not just your credit score. If you have a steady income or have shown an improving track record, some financial problems in your past may not be an issue. Other companies require a specific minimum credit score or will have options to qualify, such as using a cosigner.
Does the loan provider cover the services you need?
All the providers on our list below finance dental work, but there are differences in which procedures they cover. If you think a provider is a good match, but the treatment you need isn’t listed, contact the provider and ask.
What are the minimum and maximum amounts you can borrow?
Ask your dentist for a written treatment plan. It should include an estimate of the cost for each procedure, as well as a total estimate for the full treatment plan. Use the estimate to apply for a loan. Some lenders will allow you to add to the original loan if your treatment turns out more complicated than expected.
What are the interest rate and payment terms?
Many dental loans have deferred interest for an introductory period. But, if you pay late or don’t pay off the loan in full before the period ends, you may be hit with significant penalties and interest charges. You should know whether the lender has late payment fees, how long you have to make a payment before a late fee is assessed, and whether the lender charges back interest after the introductory period ends. Also, keep in mind that missed payments may negatively impact your credit score.
What is the total cost of the loan?
It’s important to know not just what your payment schedule and payment amounts will be, but also what the loan will cost in total, including all fees and interest. Because of the interest, taking out a loan for dental care will cost more than paying upfront for the dentist’s services, even if you make your payments on time — but if you are prepared to pay the interest and know the total payoff amount, you can budget for it and avoid repayment issues.
Which dentist can you use?
Some lenders only work with dentists in their network. Ask your dentist which plans he or she accepts, or find a dentist who participates in your lender’s network.

Don’t want a dental loan? How about a health care card instead? Learn more in our review of three of the best-known health care cards.

List of Dental Loan Providers

The following dental loan providers will work with customers who have less-than-perfect credit. Keep in mind that before taking a loan, it’s a good idea to research the lender. Sites like Trustpilot and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s complaint database can give you a better idea of whether the company is trustworthy or offers good customer service.

DentalLoans.com

DentalLoans.com is owned by LendingUSA and financed by Cross River Bank.

Credit requirements: You can get pre-approved and find out your interest rate through a soft credit check, which won’t affect your credit score. Loan approval requires a hard credit check and could change your approval decision. DentalLoans.com considers other factors besides your credit score for approval. Loans are not available for residents in Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, or West Virginia.
- The Bad Credit Dental Financing program is specifically set up for customers with credit problems.
Types of dental work covered: DentalLoans.com covers general and preventive care procedures, including fillings, extractions, and crowns. It also finances specialty care and cosmetic procedures, including bonding, braces, contouring, sleep apnea appliances, dentures, implants, Invisalign, TMJ treatment, and whitening.
Available loan amounts: $1,000 to $35,000
Fees and payment plans: There is an origination fee of 8% added to your loan balance. Rates are based on your credit history and range from 16 to 30%. Interest is deferred for six months, but it does accrue during that time. If you pay on time every month and pay off your total balance within the promotional period, the interest you’ve already paid will be applied to your principal balance. There are no prepayment penalties.
Learn more: DentalLoans.com; LendingUSA
How to apply: Apply at DentalLoans.com and get an immediate quote for your qualified rate.

iCare Financial

iCare Financial manages payment plans through your dentist’s office.

Credit requirements: No credit check is required; iCare Financial offers instant approval.
Types of dental work covered: Your dentist determines which services are eligible for financing.
Available loan amounts: There is no stated minimum or maximum loan amount, and you can add services to your payment plan at any time.
Fees and payment plans: There is a one-time administrative fee.
Learn more at iCare Financial
How to apply: You can’t apply directly to the program. Ask your dentist’s office if it works with iCare Financial or make a request online to find an iCare Financial provider near you.

MyMedicalLoan.com

MyMedicalLoan.com is owned by LendingUSA and financed by Cross River Bank.

Credit requirements: You can get pre-approved and find out your interest rate through a soft credit check, which won’t affect your credit score. Loan approval requires a hard credit check and could change your approval decision. MyMedicalLoan.com considers other factors besides your credit score for approval. Loans are not available for residents in Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, or West Virginia.
Types of dental work covered: MyMedicalLoan.com covers orthodontic work, cosmetic surgeries, and other medical procedures.
Available loan amounts: $1,000 to $35,000
Fees and payment plans: There is an origination fee of 8% added to your loan balance. Rates are based on your credit history and range from 16 to 30%. Interest is deferred for six months, but it does accrue during that time. If you pay on time every month and pay off your total balance within the promotional period, the interest you’ve already paid will be applied to your principal balance. There are no prepayment penalties.
Learn more: MyMedicalLoan.com FAQ; LendingUSA
How to apply: Apply at MyMedicalLoan.com and get an immediate quote for your qualified rate.

United Medical Credit

United Medical Credit is a dental and medical loan clearinghouse. You can apply once through the site and get offers from many different lenders.

Credit requirements: There are no minimum requirements for approval. United Medical Credit considers your income and debt balances, as well as your overall credit history. If you have problematic credit or have been declined before, you can add a cosigner to improve your chances of getting approved.
Types of dental work covered: United Medical Credit covers general, specialty, and cosmetic procedures, including crowns, braces, bridges, dentures, gum surgery, root canals, veneers, and whitening.
Available loan amounts: There is no stated minimum; loans are available for up to $35,000. The loan amount you’re approved for will depend on the treatment you need and your credit profile. The loan is a fixed amount, not a line of credit that you can add to.
Fees and payment plans: The terms you’re offered will depend on the lender that accepts your application. A United Medical Credit representative will go over your offers with you to help find the best terms.
Learn more: United Medical Credit
How to apply: Apply on United Medical Credit’s website. During the process, you can add a second applicant as a cosigner.

How to Find a Dental Clinic and Dental Savings

If you’re struggling to afford the preventative dental work you need, a free or low-cost dental health clinic may be able to help. For more complicated or cosmetic procedures, a dental savings plan might be your best bet. You can even use a dental savings plan to reduce your loan amount. We have more details of how to find free or low-cost care and where to find dental savings plans below.

Free or Low-Cost Care

There are several free and reduced-cost clinics serving communities across the country. Some clinics are funded by professional associations and schools, some by charities, and some by government grants. Check out these links to find a dental clinic near you:

The American Dental Association: For kids, the American Dental Association Foundation provides free or low-cost cleanings, treatment, and oral health checks through its Give Kids A Smile program. Adults may qualify for discounts or other assistance from a state dental association. Find your state dental association through the American Dental Association’s site.
Community Health Centers: You may qualify to receive low-cost dental care at a Community Health Center funded by state and federal grants. Qualifications and other requirements are set by the local clinic. Find a Community Health Center dental clinic near you.
Dental schools: Dental schools offer low-cost or sliding-scale care in their student-training clinics. Community service clinics typically focus on preventative care — not cosmetic work — but dental schools offer a variety of services because the students need to practice various procedures. Student work is supervised by trained professionals, the Washington Post reports, so you can expect quality care. Procedures may take longer and require more follow-up visits, but the savings are substantial — up to 50% less than private care. Find a dental school program through the Commission on Dental Accreditation.
Nonprofit clinics: Find a nonprofit dental clinic through NeedyMeds. You can also check with your local United Way by calling 2-1-1 and asking for a referral to a low-cost dental clinic in your area.

Dental Savings Plans

Dental savings plans are sometimes called “dental benefit plans” or “dental membership programs.” These plans work like Costco or Sam’s Club memberships; you pay an annual fee and receive negotiated discounts on services from participating dentists.

Dental savings plans work differently than health insurance. You won’t have to pay a deductible or wait to use your benefits. There’s also no cap on your annual benefits. Memberships cost between $100 and $200 and entitle you to discounts of 10 to 60% off. You can pay the remainder of the cost out of pocket, or with a dental loan; if using a dental savings plan, you can adjust the cost estimates on your treatment plan based on the discount your dentist offers for each procedure and take out a smaller loan.

Not all dentists accept every savings plan, so shop around and compare the cost of the membership to the discount on the services you need. It’s also a good idea to keep in mind that your dental savings plan should save you more than its membership fee. To find a dental savings plan, search sites like healthinsurance.org or DentalPlans.com. You can also ask your dentist’s office if it offers any in-house discount plans.

In Summary

Dental financing, no credit check options are available. Finding the right dental loan provider requires research. We listed four dental loan providers that work with customers with less-than-perfect credit. Other options for more affordable dental work include finding a free or low-cost dental clinic near you or looking into a dental savings plan. If you choose to take a dental loan, be sure to keep in mind the interest, potential fees, and total cost of the loan, and find a provider that covers the procedure(s) you need. Dental work is expensive, but with the right resources, you can afford to get the dental care you need.