Best Dental Financing With Bad Credit | Get Up To A $50,000 Loan

Best Dental Financing With Bad Credit | Get Up To A $50,000 Loan

 Alex Westerhoff
Written by Alex Westerhoff
Medical Reviewed on Feb 10, 2023
byDr. Matthew Hannan DDS
🔬 Evidence Based
Best Dental Financing With Bad Credit | Get Up To A $50,000 Loan

What do you do when you need dental financing for dental work with bad credit? Trying to figure out how to pay for dental work can be a challenge for just about anybody, but having a bad credit score on top of it just adds insult to injury. You know you can’t wait to fix your toothache or dental infection, so what dental loans are available?

What Is Dental Financing With Bad Credit?

Believe it or not, you can pay for dental work with bad credit. You just have different payment options than someone with a higher credit score. The good news is that you can finally address your dental issues before they worsen (and become even more expensive to fix.)

There are specific types of dental loans that are for people with a bad credit score. They can be found online, through your dentist, or even by going through your personal bank or credit union.

The only difference between loans for dental work with bad credit and good credit is that you’ll probably have a higher interest rate or have different pay-back terms than other traditional types of dental financing. But it’s completely doable!

How To Pay For Dental Work With A Loan 

If you’re trying to figure out how to pay for dental work—regardless of good or bad credit—it’s safe to assume that there will be some type of payment option available. Even a traditional dentist’s office will usually break up payments into “half now, half later” dental financing options for most major procedures (like crowns and dentures) without you asking. But for dental loans for bad credit, you’re bringing in a third party to initially foot the bill, and then you pay it back after the treatment is performed. That way, you’re out of pain, able to eat, and can get back to work. 

Depending on the type of dental loans you’re using, it may be dental financing through the practice (where they pay the dentist directly,) a dental credit card, or a personal loan where you first get the cash, and then you pay the dentist.

Best Dental Loans for Bad Credit

1. BadCreditLoans.com

Bad Credit Loans isn’t a lender and doesn’t provide unsecured loans, but it shows your loan request information to lenders and lending partners in their networks so they get the best dental loans for bad credit.  Loans can vary from 90 days to 72 months and range between 5.99% and 35.99% APRs. 

Highlights 

  • Loans from $500 to $10,000
  • Get connected to a lender fast
  • Quick funding
  • Compare loan options in one place

Cons

  • High APRs depending on credit score
  • Non-loans offers
Loan AmountInterest RateLoan Term
$500 to $10,0005.99% - 35.99% APR3 to 72 months

BadCreditLoans.com can get you the funding you need to get your dental work done. This is a good platform for people with bad credit who aren’t sure what type of loan they need and want to compare all their options. 

 

2. Upstart Personal Loans

Upstart doesn't solely rely on your credit score. Upstart's model considers factors such as your education and employment to help you get a rate you deserve. They have helped over 2.4 million get the funding they need. 

Highlights:

  • Loan from $1,000 to $50,000
  • No prepayment fees
  • Check your rate in 5 minutes
  • Get funded in as fast as 1 business day

Cons

  • 3-year min term
Loan AmountInterest RateLoan Term
$1,000 to $50,0005.6% - 35.99% APR36 to 60 months

Competitive rates not solely based on credit score and an easy application process set Upstart apart. They are a particularly great option if you have a bad to average credit history and credit score.

 

3. Supermoney.com

Supermoney isn’t a direct lender but instead will connect you to its vast network of lenders using its marketplace.  With Supermoney, you can find the perfect lender by filtering by credit score, loan amount, and terms length.

Highlights

  • Loans for $100 to $50,000
  • Large network or lenders
  • Great comparison charts

Cons

  • You can find a lender that requires no credit at all but at high APRs
Loan AmountInterest RateLoan Term
$100 to $50,0005.6% - 200% APR1 to 240 months

Supermoney is a great choice for comparing personal or dental loans for bad credit. They have reviews for every lender and recommendations to help you decide which lender is right for you. 

 

4. PersonalLoans.com

PersonalLoans.com offers a fast and flexible form to help connect you to a lender and complete an application with them. If no lender offers you a loan, you can get help to improve your financial situation with offers for debt relief, credit repair, credit monitoring, or other similar services.

Highlights

  • Loans for $1,000 to $35,000
  • Fast funding
  • Competitive rates

Cons 

  • added to a marketing list for non-loans offers
Loan AmountInterest RateLoan Term
$1,000 to $35,0005.99% - 35.99% APR3 to 72 months

PersonalLoans.com has a large network to choose from, and their system is designed to match you with the best lender that best reflects your unique financial situation.

 

How To Get A Bad Credit Loan?

Before you run to the bank to take out personal loans for dental work with bad credit, there are some very important steps to consider. Dental loans come in all shapes and sizes, so you’ll need specific information up-front before applying for dental financing.

1. Determine How Much You Need To Spend At Your Dentist’s Office

First things first. You need to see a dentist for an exam and treatment plan. Your treatment plan will line out exactly which dental procedures you need and how much they all cost put together. This is where you might want to consider getting a second or third opinion, then comparing the treatment plans to each other. Once you have the dental care plan with the total dollar amount, you’ll know exactly how much you need to take out in loans. And yes, you can finance just a portion of it if that’s all you need to do. 

2. Check Your Credit Score

You can easily run a free credit score report through your bank, credit union or going directly through one of the major credit reporting bureaus like Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion. Most of these bureau websites allow you to sign up for a free account to track your credit score and history, which can also help if you’re trying to address issues on your credit report or work to raise your score. Once you know your credit score, you’ll have a better idea if you actually need to look for “dental loans for bad credit” or not.

3. Get Prequalified

Now is your chance to identify some different types of dental loans for bad credit out there on the market. It’s a good idea to consider both third-party platforms online and personal loans for dental work with bad credit, like you’d get from your bank or a private credit union. You can apply for pre-qualification with a few different lenders without it hurting anything. Especially if they’re only running a “soft” credit check. Pre-qualifying doesn’t mean you’re actually taking out a loan or obligated to pay anything back; it just lets you know your options.

4. Compare Rates And Loan Terms

Now that you’ve gotten pre-qualified, it’s time to compare the “fine print” on these dental loans. First, look at the interest rate. The lower, the better, because that’s less money to pay back. Is there a pre-payment penalty? Does the interest accrue? Is there deferred interest where you can pay down the balance before fees kick in? This is where you’ll narrow down your choices, so rank your dental loans from top to bottom based on the best deals.

5. Complete The Application Process

After you’ve picked the best of the dental loans for bad credit (based on your pre-approval) you can get started. You’ll probably need to enter in any employment information, contact details, or even have a co-signer or co-applicant, depending on where you’re getting your loan from. Before you pay for dental work with bad credit, make sure you’re taking out enough of a loan to cover the amount of your treatment so that you’re good to go. On that note, most treatment plans from your dentist are good for a set period of time (like 30 days or 90 days) so make sure you complete this process in a timely manner…otherwise, you risk unnecessarily adding to your dental bill.

6. Get Treatment

Now that you’ve got the cash in hand, you can schedule your dental work. With bad credit, it’s not impossible to care for your smile. You just have to take a little more time getting your dental financing options figured out! As long as your treatment plan is current, no teeth have broken or cracked any further, and you’ve got access to the funds, you’ll want to schedule your dental procedures ASAP! Otherwise you potentially run the risk of issues getting worse the longer you wait, meaning you’ll need additional money than what you’ve already taken out in a dental loan.

What Is A No Credit Check Loan?

Some types of dental lenders don’t require a hard credit check for you to borrow money. So, if you’ve got a bad credit score, are behind on a payment for something else, and still need urgent dental care, you can still proceed with your dental financing and treatment. There isn’t a hard credit inquiry—like when you’re buying a car or taking out a mortgage—to borrow money from the lender. Not all personal loans for dental work (with bad credit) work this way, but there are some that do. Some dental credit cards or medical credit cards are the same way.

Related: 6 Best Dental Credit Cards for Dental Work

What Are The Best Interest Rates For No Credit Personal Loans?

What should you expect regarding interest rates on personal loans for dental work with bad credit?

Whether you have poor or no credit, you can generally expect something in the range of:

  • APR between 9.95% to 29.9%
  • Loan Amounts of $500 - $50,000 total
  • Loan Terms from 4 to 60 months, depending on the amount financed

Pros And Cons Of Loans For Dental 

If you don’t get the dental treatment you need, it’s almost ALWAYS a matter of time before those minor to moderate issues turn into more serious, more expensive issues to treat. You save money on dental care the quicker you treat conditions. And it isn’t just better for your wallet; it’s actually better for your mouth, too (because you’re preserving as much tooth structure as possible.) But when it comes to dental financing the treatments, are there benefits or risks you need to consider? Is one type of loan better for dental treatment or harder to get if you have bad credit?

Pros

If you take out a dental loan, you have immediate access to the cash you need to complete your treatment (which could even be medically necessary.) You don’t need any collateral or have to worry about huge down payments. Instead, you get the treatment immediately (often at a lower rate than expensive medical credit cards) that comes with fixed monthly payment amounts.

Cons

The downside to personal loans for dental work with bad credit is that you will have higher interest rates. A good credit score gets you a better interest rate, and a bad credit score gets you higher interest.

What Would You Finance?

When is it worthwhile to finance dental treatment? What types of dental procedures are worth it when it comes to taking out a loan or paying them down each month? Here are just a few examples: 

Dental Implants

Implants offer the best return on investment of any tooth replacement, actually helping you save money when it comes to the long-term health of your smile.

Teeth Whitening

If you’re about to have major dental procedures or want same-day whitening, you may prefer to lump it into the total amount you need to finance. 

Dental Crowns

Without a dental crown, your tooth will only break apart further until it reaches a point where you can’t restore it at all. 

Bridgework

Bridges help retain normal tooth alignment, restore missing teeth, and allow you to both eat and smile.

Dentures

You need teeth to eat. Dentures are one of the most affordable tooth replacements out there.

Oral Surgery

An unexpected surgical dental procedure or even wisdom tooth removal might not fit into your regular budget.

Dental Cleanings

Periodontal cleanings are the last line of defense against tooth loss caused by gum disease.

Other Cosmetic Dental Procedures

A set of porcelain dental veneers or Invisalign braces can cost several thousand dollars, but it can be life-changing. 

Dental Hack: Dental Savings Plan + Dental Loan 

A super easy way to save money on your dental care costs is to sign up for a dental savings plan before you try to figure out how to pay for dental work with a loan. Dental savings plans give you an immediate discount on every single dental service, whether it’s dental implants or whitening or tooth extraction. Plus, you get free checkups and cleanings twice a year on top of that. Any treatment you need to plan for or take out a dental loan to pay for will include this discount. Ultimately, you’re taking out a smaller loan amount and not having to pay back as much every month. 

A savings plan to help offset up to 10% to 60% off the costs of dental procedures. Get a discount dental plan here and save!

Other Ways To Pay Without Dental Insurance 

Here are some other great ideas to help pay for dental treatment without dental insurance or taking out a personal loan with bad credit.

1. Dental Schools

Dental schools typically offer low-priced services on all dental procedures. If you live near a dental school, try to get on their waiting list ASAP. It can take some time to get an appointment, and you’ll usually need to spend a lot more time there while they’re performing the treatment, but it will be at a fraction of the cost.

2. Low-Cost Dental Clinics

Community dental clinics typically provide free dental services like cleanings, exams, and tooth extractions. You might need to show proof of income, or you might not. Some are simply first come, first serve. The downside is that you won’t be able to get more complex or elective treatments like implants or dental veneers.

3. Government Assistance Programs

If the treatment is for a child from a low-income background, you’re a veteran, are disabled, or fall into a group that has access to government-provided healthcare services, you may have access to dental treatments through VA clinics, Medicaid, or grant programs that pay your dentist directly.

4. Health Savings Account (HSA)

Health savings accounts (HSAs) are portable accounts that you can contribute to every year to use on healthcare expenses (no taxes are charged on any amount you decide to save.)

5. Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Flex spending accounts (FSAs) allow you to set aside part of your income for health-related expenses without paying taxes on that amount. They are set up through your employer and deducted from your paycheck.

How to Get Dental Financing With Bad Credit

If you physically need dental treatment or have decided it’s now or never for your smile makeover, a dental loan to cover treatment could be the solution. Having no or bad credit doesn’t mean that a personal loan is impossible, but it does limit your choices. Your best option is to get pre-approved from your credit union, personal bank, or an online healthcare financing company to find out how much you qualify for, then compare the rates and payback terms. Once you have all of those lined up, you can schedule your treatment ASAP, before issues get worse (and more expensive to correct.)

 Alex Westerhoff
Written by Alex Westerhoff Alex Westerhoff has been writing about dental health financing and business (among other topics) for more than 7 years.
Dr. Matthew  Hannan DDS
Medical Reviewed byDr. Matthew Hannan DDSDr. Matthew Hannan is a board-certified dentist and graduate of UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry.
Last updated onMarch 17, 2023Here is our process

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