Usually in very small towns. One of the dentists in the town where my grandparents used to live runs an ad with a coupon for free children's teeth cleaning with the purchase of another dental service (such as fluoride treatment or this thing where they coat your baby teeth in this lacquer-like stuff to prevent cavities.) More common are barter arrangements. My cousin is a general contractor and paid for his son's braces with a deck and gazebo.

Likewise, I know of a handful of NPO psychiatric clinics that offer therapy in exchange for commitments to perform volunteer work. One I know in particular has had a great deal of success in making psych help available to people in metro-Hartford who typically would not be able to afford it, including homeless and wage-slave populations...often such therapy yields significant results in upward mobility of people who would have otherwise remained or become dependent upon the social safety-net due to lack of available long-term non-basic psychiatric treatment.

Denninmi

(6,581 posts)

2. They do here.

Reply to raccoon (Original post)

Wed Jun 13, 2012, 10:46 AM

Jun 2012

Are you looking in the right place for them? Many can no longer afford to advertise in major newspapers, too expensive and poor readership. I see them offer coupons, new patient deals, etc. in the local shopping guides -- we have ones called 'The Monthly Shopper' and 'The Lakes Area Shopper" that are mailed to homes every month. You also may find them online at various sites.

RiffRandell

(5,909 posts)

3. My son's orthodontist offered us a "free consultation."

Reply to raccoon (Original post)

Wed Jun 13, 2012, 10:50 AM

Jun 2012

Wow, considering braces are about 5 grand these days. He actually needs an expander first but the dr wanted to wait 6 more months so we go back next week. The thing is, my son's teeth are really straight (so many people even say so) so I'm not certain he even needs them, but If he does, of course we will get them.

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