Paying for dental care without insurance can sometimes make it difficult to budget for the care you need. At Southard Family Dentistry, we believe that being uninsured shouldn't mean putting off your oral health. That's why we've created the Southard Smiles Membership Program, an in-house dental savings program designed to help uninsured patients save on dental care at our Jonesboro, AR dental office.
A dental savings plan isn't the same thing as dental insurance. Instead, the Southard Smiles Membership Program provides preventive services and discounts on eligible dental treatments for a single annual membership fee.
If you're looking for an alternative to traditional dental insurance, here's what you should know about how the program works.
What Is an In-House Dental Savings Plan?
An in-house dental savings plan is a membership program offered directly through a dental practice. Instead of purchasing an insurance policy, you pay the dental office a set membership fee and receive the benefits outlined by the program.
The Southard Smiles Membership Program is not dental insurance and can only be used at Southard Family Dentistry in Jonesboro, AR. The membership is designed specifically to help uninsured patients make high-quality dental care more affordable.
Because there is no insurance company involved, you don't have to navigate insurance claims or coverage determinations to use your membership benefits.
What Does the Southard Smiles Membership Include?
Each 12-month Southard Smiles Membership includes several preventive dental services, along with a discount on other eligible dental treatments.
Your annual membership includes:
- Two routine dental cleanings
- Preventive dental exams
- Dental X-rays as needed
- Two fluoride treatments
- 20% off other dental services
Preventive exams and X-rays allow our dental team to monitor your teeth and gums and identify potential concerns. Routine cleanings help remove plaque and tartar that regular brushing and flossing can't completely eliminate.
Having these preventive services included in your membership can make it easier to stay on track with your regular dental care.
How Much Does the Southard Smiles Membership Cost?
The Southard Smiles Membership Program starts at $260 per individual, per year.
If you're enrolling family members, additional savings are available:
- Spouse: $235 per year
- Dependent teenager, ages 13–18: $180 per year
- Dependent child, age 12 and under: $120 per year
The full 12-month membership fee is due when you join the program.
For families without dental insurance, enrolling multiple family members can provide a convenient way to budget for routine dental care while receiving savings on eligible services.
How Does the Membership Work?
Getting started with the Southard Smiles Membership Program is straightforward.
Your membership becomes effective on the first day of the month in which your payment is received. Your renewal payment is then due at the beginning of that same month each year.
Because the membership is valid for 12 months, it's important to schedule your included appointments within your membership period. It's the member's responsibility to arrange necessary appointments and use their available benefits before the membership expires.
For example, if your membership begins in September, you'll want to make sure you schedule your included cleanings, exams, fluoride treatments, and other needed care during your 12-month membership period.
Benefits that aren't used during the membership period don't carry over, and unused benefits are not eligible for a refund.
Why Choose a Dental Savings Plan?
One of the biggest advantages of an in-house dental savings plan is predictability.
Instead of paying an insurance premium and then determining how much of a particular service your insurance will cover, the Southard Smiles Membership Program has a set annual membership fee and clearly defined benefits.
The program can be especially helpful for patients who:
- Don't have dental insurance
- Are self-employed or don't receive dental benefits through work
- Want to budget for routine dental care
- Have been postponing dental visits because of cost concerns
- Want savings on additional dental services
- Need dental care for multiple family members
A dental savings plan isn't necessarily right for everyone, so it's important to consider your individual dental needs and compare the membership benefits with any existing insurance coverage you may have.
What About Dental Treatment Beyond Preventive Care?
Preventive care is an important part of the Southard Smiles Membership Program, but dental needs don't always stop at cleanings and exams.
If you need additional treatment, your membership provides 20% off other eligible dental services at Southard Family Dentistry. This can help make necessary restorative or other dental care more manageable.
The membership discount cannot be combined with dental insurance coverage or other discounts, and it cannot be applied retroactively to treatment received before you joined the program or after your 12-month membership ends.
Any necessary payments are due when services are provided.
Important Things to Know About the Dental Savings Membership
Before joining, it's important to understand the terms of the Southard Smiles Membership Program.
The membership:
- Is not dental insurance
- Is valid only at Southard Family Dentistry in Jonesboro, AR
- Is non-transferable
- Cannot be combined with dental insurance or other discounts
- Cannot be used for treatment received before joining
- Cannot be used after the 12-month membership period ends
- Does not provide refunds for unused benefits
- Requires payment in full at the time of enrollment
Understanding these details can help you get the most value from your membership.
Make the Most of Your Dental Membership
One of the best ways to maximize your Southard Smiles Membership is to schedule your preventive appointments early. Your membership includes two routine cleanings, preventive exams, X-rays as needed, and two fluoride treatments, so don't wait until the end of your membership period to schedule your care.
Keeping up with preventive appointments can also help your dental team identify problems earlier, when treatment may be simpler and less extensive.
Good dental care doesn't stop when you leave the office, either. Continue brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, cleaning between your teeth daily, and following any personalized recommendations from your dental team.
Affordable Dental Care in Jonesboro, AR
If you don't have dental insurance, you still have options for making quality dental care more accessible. The Southard Smiles Membership Program provides uninsured patients with a straightforward way to save on preventive care and other eligible dental services at Southard Family Dentistry.
Our goal is to help patients and families in Jonesboro receive the dental care they need without letting the lack of insurance stand in the way.
Interested in learning more about securing affordable dentistry with the Southard Smiles Membership Program? Contact Southard Family Dentistry today to learn more about membership and schedule your next dental appointment.
