In a bad economy, dental services are often cut first to save money. After all, it’s a lot easier to put off a dental cleaning than not pay the electric bill, or go to the doctor when you need an antibiotic.

It’s not a good idea to skim on dental services, because in the long run neglect will cost more money. Better to get essential dental care far cheaper than the price you’re quoted at your dentist, and keep up to date on tooth care. One of the best ways to economize is to be more expansive on where you receive dental services.

Dental schools are present in most large cities, and they have clinics that cater to patients for reduced fees. As part of their training, students evaluate and treat patients, providing a wide range of oral surgery procedures: Root canal, prosthodontics (the practice of tooth replacement, such as dentures, bridges and crowns); orthodontics, standard fill and drill and more.

Some people may be reluctant to utilize a clinic or dental school, fearing that the quality of service may be lower. This is unfounded; the students perform the work under the supervision of an attending dentist (the teacher), and more difficult procedures are performed by teachers themselves, while students watch.

Similar services are available at public hospitals, such as New York City’s Bellevue Hospital, where Cash Cuddler herself received high end restorative dental services, including implants and crowns. The work was performed by students from nearby New York University Dental College.

Another good reason to eschew the private dentist in favor of a dental school is the dentists’ motivation. Dentists in private practice receive a fee for each service performed, and may encourage you to receive as much service as you can pay for, or as much as your insurance will cover.

Students in a clinical setting will evaluate you, and recommend only exactly what you need. They are graded on the quality of their recommendations, may recommend doing less saving you money. The student wants a good grade to graduate and charge a lot later in private practice. So try out a dental school or hospital clinic, and save yourself half off, or more, on dental services.