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The Best Credit Cards for Dental Work: What To Look for and Why It Matters

Dental work is critical for your overall health, but certain treatments may be difficult to pay for entirely upfront. The average out of pocket for a root canal and crown can cost patients upwards of $1,000. Whether you're scheduling a root canal, getting braces for your teen, or finally investing in that smile makeover, the upfront, out-of-pocket cost may create some financial pressure. If you’ve found yourself Googling “best dental credit card,” you’re not alone.

In this article, we’ll walk you through what to look for in a dental credit card, compare a few popular options, and explain why the Healthcare Spending Card1 can be the smartest choice to cover your care.

Why Use a Credit Card for Dental Work?

Let’s face it: dental insurance doesn’t always cover everything. And even when it does, annual maximums and exclusions could apply. That’s where a credit card or financing options can step in—helping you pay upfront, avoid delaying care, and break payments into more manageable chunks.

But not all credit cards and financing options are created equal. Here’s what you should consider before applying for one.

What to Look For in a Dental Credit Card

  1. 0% Intro APR or Low Financing Rates
    Many traditional cards offer 0% intro APR for 12 to 18 months. This can be helpful if you plan to pay off your dental expenses quickly. However, once that promo period ends, interest rates often jump to 20% or more.
  2. No Hidden Fees
    Watch for deferred interest (a common pitfall with medical credit cards like CareCredit), annual fees, or late payment penalties that can add hundreds to your balance.
  3. Flexible Repayment Terms
    Some cards lock you into rigid monthly payments or minimums that barely dent the principal. You’ll want something more predictable and forgiving if money gets tight.
  4. Doesn’t Hurt Your Credit to Apply
    Most traditional credit cards require a credit check to apply. Some medical financing options also require a hard credit check upon application, which can impact one’s credit score.

Popular Options People Consider for Dental Work

  • CareCredit
    This clinic specific financing and credit is accepted by many dentists and offers short-term financing options (like 6 or 12 months interest-free). But read the fine print: if you don’t pay off the full balance during the promo period, they’ll charge interest retroactively from day one. Rates can climb to nearly 27%. Plus, not every provider works with CareCredit - making it difficult to use at your preferred provider.
  • Chase Freedom Unlimited
    A general-purpose card that often offers 0% APR for the first 15 months. Great rewards program, but after the intro period, interest kicks in, and can make your dental expense grow over time from compounding interest. Their application process also involves a credit check which can impact your overall credit score.
  • Apple Card
    A sleek digital option with no fees and clear payment tools. However, it doesn’t offer long-term financing and isn’t focused on healthcare needs.

The Problem with Traditional Credit Cards and Financing Options

While traditional credit cards and financing options can offer some relief, they weren’t built for healthcare expenses. Dental care is often high-cost and unexpected, and credit cards don’t offer much flexibility once interest kicks in.

Even specialized healthcare cards like CareCredit come with strings attached—deferred interest, strict repayment timelines, and limited acceptance outside of specific networks., strict repayment timelines, and limited acceptance outside of specific networks.

Why the Healthcare Spending Card Is Different

The Healthcare Spending Card was designed with one thing in mind: making it easier to pay for essential healthcare, including dental care, without piling on more debt.

Here’s how it stands out:

  • 0% Financing Options2
    You read that right. The Healthcare Spending Card offers 0% financing options2—not just for a one-time promotional offer or during a promotional window, but always. That means you can pay off your dental work on your own timeline without worrying about high APRs or retroactive charges.
  • No Annual Fee2
    The Healthcare Spending Card can be there for you when you need it, and not cost you anything when you don’t.
  • No Surprises
    No compounding interest2. No deferred interest 2. No hidden fees 2 or sneaky penalties 2. Just straightforward access to healthcare when you need it upon approval.
  • Designed for Dental and Beyond
    The Card can be used for everything from cleanings to crowns, orthodontics, and oral surgery. But it’s not limited to dental. It works across a wide range of eligible expenses including medical, vision, and pharmacy services too.
  • Quick Approval and Instant Use
    Applying is quick, and once approved, you can use your virtual card right away. To access your virtual card all you have to do is set up your auto-payment option through the online portal.

Don’t just take our word for it, read why Lane Health members love their Healthcare Spending Card:

"My daughter's orthodontist charges a $25 monthly fee for payments made on braces. Thanks to my Delta Dental insurance and the partnership with Lane Health, I was able to use my Healthcare Spending Card to pay the orthodontist in full and avoid fees completely. There are so many other things I can use that extra $300 for. YES!” - Michelle, Lane Health Member3

“I recently received my card and used it to pay for dental work I needed. No issues. Customer service was very responsive and quickly addressed a couple of questions I had when I contacted them. Excellent experience so far.” - Sebastien F, Lane Health Member 3

Final Thoughts: The Best Dental Credit Card Might Be One Designed Specifically for Healthcare

When you're in the dental chair, the last thing you want to worry about is how you’re going to pay. That’s why more people are turning to purpose-built solutions like the Healthcare Spending Card instead of falling into the trap of high-interest credit.

With 0% financing options2, no annual fee2 and a flexible, stress-free repayment model, it can be a smarter way to cover care, without compromising your budget or your health.

Ready to apply?

Skip the sky-high APRs and dental deferred interest debt traps. Apply for the Healthcare Spending Card today to get 0% financing options2 and a smarter way to pay for care.

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Erik Eaton
Senior Director, Marketing

* Subject to credit line approval.

1  Lane Health is a financial technology company, not a bank. The Healthcare Spending Card is issued by Lead Bank pursuant to a license from Visa USA Inc. Line of credit is issued by Lead Bank or LH Lending LLC NMLS #2552401, (nmlsconsumeraccess.org).

2 Lane Health does not charge interest on, or an annual fee for, the Healthcare Spending Card. “0% financing” pertains to repayment options that do not charge interest (0% interest) nor fees ($0 fees). Each Advance can be repaid in full, 4-month term or 12-month term (with a minimum $3 due each payment period). Transactions other than qualified hospital expenses (based on merchant category code) will be charged an origination fee of 5% and periodic finance fees. The location of the service provider is not determinative of whether a transaction is a qualified hospital expense. Rather, transactions made within or at a hospital (including but not limited to specialists, doctors, pharmacies, etcetera) are determined to be eligible by the associated MCC and not the location of the service provider in the hospital. New Advances, if eligible, can be repaid in full or over 4 installments with no origination or periodic finance fees. Late fees apply. You can review the fee table at https://lanehealth.com/hsc-lb-fees

3 The reviews were sourced from Trustpilot. The customers were not compensated for their feedback.