Complaint Review: American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry/Cosmetic Dentistry Grants Program/Oral Aesthetic Advocacy Group Inc/ - Newark New Jersey

If you have insurance they usually cover or reimburse for said X-Rays the price they are asking for from the X-Rays is not unreasonable: "A single dental x-ray would cost between $15-25. Four check-up or bitewing x-rays may cost between $50-$100, and a full mouth series (18 x-rays) or panoramic x-ray would cost between $100-200." - Source

I'm sure you can probably negotiate (if you have had X-rays done recently at your dentist) for those X-Rays to be transferred to the dentist you're seeing under CDG. In any case, you need X-rays at least every 2 years to be sure of accuracy: "Some people may need X-rays as often as every six months; others with no recent dental or gum disease and who visit their dentist regularly may get X-rays only every couple of years." - Source

I cannot speak for the participating dentist that seems horrible I'm sorry to hear that, it makes me start to think that most dentists are pricks deep down or something. 

It isn't necessarily too good to be true, you have to make sure to read EVERYTHING before expecting anything. These companies, unfortunately, play into self-esteem (as this is about cosmetics, primarily looks) and people generally start to fantasize and over extend what the grant promises and do not read all the literature before proceeding.

The company awards grants in the following manner: 

- Partial Grants

- Partial Grants are awarded to any qualified 

- the applicant on a per capita, percentile basis, distributed proportionally based on the number of applicants in the distribution pool, the value of their recommended treatment plan, anda number of proceeds available for distribution

In their FAQ page it literally states:

"To determine your eligibility, you will be provided with a free oral health assessment (x-ray charges may apply) by a Certified Dental Practitioner in your area." - Source

It also says on their rules and regulations page:

"Visit www.cosmeticdentistrygrants.org and apply for consideration of a cosmetic dentistry grant. Schedule and complete a complimentary assessment with a participating dental practitioner of your choice. (At all times, all basic or general dentistry costs, if any, will be incurred by applicant). All applicants must have completed an application form. No incomplete or forged applications will be accepted." - Source

And I quote again "At all times, all basic or general dentistry costs, if any, will be incurred by the applicant" i.e. X-Rays...

Applicants must apply for CDG funding and be accepted into the program prior to the commencement of any cosmetic dentistry treatment.

What is "free" is the doctors time and assessment OF the X-rays but running that kind of equipment and printing it out is not free and the grant does not cover all of the cost of the procedure anyways, nor is it ever stated that it would cover all costs.

Dental work is expensive, especially in the US even more so when you do not have insurance.

Think of this company as one that provides you with 5-25% off of your cosmetic dental work i.e $3,500 off of $20,000 worth of dental work, in my opinion, that is a generous amount. You aren't going to get something like 50% off of something cosmetic, most grants, in general, aren't like that.

Heck in school all I got $6,000 in grants on my $45,000 of student loans and that's from own my government!

I know it seems too good to be true but it is a very realistic outcome, I'm glad you were able to make a swift decision in not moving forward with CDG but I also wouldn't condemn someone for going through with the process if it is affordable for them and if they have that drive and passion for feeling and looking differently than they ever had before with some financial help.

This service is to start people on thinking about if they would want this for themselves or not, a gentle push to assess their aesthetic lives and what matters to them as well as what is realistic for them, no judgment there.

By the way, going through the reviews on their site these were the amounts I pulled from individual reviewers, 20 of them (IF they even chose to disclose):

$3,000

$1,100

$4,000

$7,500

$5,200 

$1,000

$2,500

$13,750

$5,300

$2,300

$1,350

$5,000

$2,000

$9,050

$1,350

$4,000

$1,200

$1,350

$2,600

$1,200



"If they're grating 10's of thousands of dollars" maybe you meant in total... per year... by the whole company... but it seems like only 1 individual hit the above the 10K mark and I honestly think they probably had to have a hell of a lot done for that kind of funding.

Anyways that is my 2 cents, folks!

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