Cosmetic dental procedures like tooth whitening and veneers aren't cheap, and most dental insurance companies do not cover these procedures. This means patients are responsible for all costs, making these procedures out-of-reach to the average person. However, there is a way to get free cosmetic dentistry through the bartering system.
Bartering means the patient trades something of value (think professional services like carpentry or web design, or goods like cars and watches) for the cosmetic dental procedures. The best part is that it's gaining in popularity and more cosmetic dentists are getting in on the trend.
Determine which cosmetic dental procedures you need or want. It's a good idea to start small with one procedure in order to make it easier to find a dentist to barter with you.
Calculate the total cost of the procedure as if you were paying cash for it. This is vital because you'll need to know the value to barter an appropriate service or item in return.
Determine what you have to offer in exchange. Can you create web sites? Or, can you fix plumbing or offer your Rolex as a barter? You'll need to have something to offer the cosmetic dentist (and hopefully he needs the item or service) to get him to agree to it.
Draft a letter to cosmetic dentists in your area detailing your barter proposal. Be sure to specifically state what the benefit is for the cosmetic dentist. You'll really want to "sell" the dentist on the barter, so write the letter with a sales approach and focus on the benefits this arrangement will have for the dentist. Consider studying sales letter templates available on various web sites before writing the letter.
Send the letter to your targeted cosmetic dentists. You'll want to give the dentists a few weeks to review the proposal before following up with a phone call. If the dentist declines your offer, don't persist. Instead, move on to the next dentist on your list. Don't get discouraged.
Create a written agreement once you've found a dentist willing to barter. This will spell out the specifics of the barter arrangement and eliminate any potential confusion.
Enlist professional help. If pursuing this on your own seems like an impossible task, consider using a company that specializes in creating bartering agreements between companies and individuals. These companies are located throughout the country and help you, step by step, through the bartering process. Most times they already have an established list of cosmetic dentists willing to barter, which will save considerable time, allowing you to have your procedure faster than if you did it alone.
Services you receive as a result of bartering are taxable. Check with your accountant or tax preparer for what paperwork and documentation you'll need to report the barter on your taxes. Failure to report your barter on your taxes can trigger an audit, and possible penalties and fees.