An Affordable Option for Good Dental Care in Las Vegas……
A CROWNIG ACHEIVEMENT (COLLEGE OF SOUTHERN NEVADA — DENTISTRY)
GOOD LOW-COST DENTAL PROCEDURES
Dental care isn’t cheap. I’m sure some people out there also delay dentist visits and likely deny themselves procedures they desperately need because of the costs. However, CSN offers good care and hope for those who need such a service
Here’s a short story. Some people here in Las Vegas might find it interesting and even helpful, especially if you need dental work.
Yesterday, I had some dental work done. Recently, my health care plan changed and I no longer have dental coverage. All dental-related visits are 100 percent out of pocket, which now means the pain of going to the dentist starts in the mouth but ends in the wallet.
I needed a crown on a rear molar and a few other minor things done. I’ve paid more than $1,500 for that kind of work in the past. Actually, far more than that. Instead, someone suggested I call the College of Southern Nevada (CSN) on W. Charleston which has an excellent dental school and hygiene program. They also take patients, though it’s not quite like the typical dental office. At the college, students do much of the work but all clinical services are overseen by experienced teachers who are licensed dentists. More complex procedures are performed by the dentist.
Now, a little story: When I entered the dental school, I sat in a waiting area. There was the usual medical paperwork and lots of questions for a first-time patient on the forms. As I was filling out my forms, a man who looked to me in his mid-60s arrived dressed in jeans and a t-shirt. He was physically challenged. I don’t know what condition he had, but it took considerable effort for the man to walk past me hobbling on two canes. The temperature hit 112 outside, so he was sweating. The man came up right next to my seat in the office and I politely stood up and asked if he wanted my seat, which was closer to the door. The man answered back in a heavy Boston accent, responding, “no thank you….I’m going in that door right there (pointing to the door with one of the canes).”
Minutes later, I was called inside. A lady student took down all my information. They did X-rays. All the equipment looked a bit older than state-of-the art dental tools I’d seen in the past. However, everything appeared clean and the staff (students) were clearly dedicated giving the finest attention to every detail. I also had more people around than the usual dental crew, which made it like little bit of a show. I don’t know if I was the star or the Guinea pig. Probably both.
Inserting a crown was the big procedure of my visit. As my upper jaw was being prepared, that’s when I heard a man behind me in my chair barking out instructions to his students about measurements, including some detailed dental talk I didn’t understand. The man was obviously the dentist and fully in charge on the day of my visit. Oh, and one more thing: He spoke in a thick Boston accent!
Indeed, it was the man I’d seen outside the door in the waiting room. Honestly, I don’t know why this was surprising to me. But we all make quick assumptions about others based on first impressions. It didn’t occur to me the physically challenged man in blue jeans with canes I’d encountered earlier would be my dentist. I know that’s dumb to be surprised by this connection, but I was.
The completed work was stellar. The service was excellent. I was out in about an hour. The crown now fits perfectly. During his exam and the dental work, I spoke with the dentist [actually……he spoke to me and did ALL the talking since my mouth was wide open with a suction tube stuck in my throat]. He’d moved to Las Vegas from Boston 30 years ago and was an instructor at the school for many years. I actually felt that I got bettor care here than at a usual office, because everything done had multiple eyes and extra supervision.
Final cost for everything: $158 out the door.
Dental care isn’t cheap. I’m sure some people out there also delay dentist visits and likely deny themselves procedures they desperately need because of the costs. However, CSN offers good care and hope for those who need such a service. following my first-time experience, I recommend them highly.
