If you’re old enough to remember the first time bellbottom jeans were in fashion, there’s a chance you have said this at least once in your life: “They just don’t make things like they used to.”
It’s simple human nature to rely on our memories and feel like things were better, simpler, or happier when we we were younger.
Of course, in some cases, it’s really true. There’s no denying that the average American household in 1966 was quite a bit simpler - at least from a technological and scheduling standpoint - than an equivalent household in 2016. It was also less expensive too, even taking inflation into account.
But, in other ways, our belief that things were just better in the past can cause us to overlook some pretty great things happening today!
Case in point: Affordable dental care for seniors
"The cumulative inflation rate over the last 50 years in the United States is 645.02%. That means that anything you could buy for $1.00 in 1966 should cost you about $7.45 today."
The cumulative inflation rate over the last 50 years in the United States is 645.02%. That means that anything you could buy for $1.00 in 1966 should cost you about $7.45 today. The cost of dental care, on the other hand, has risen at an astronomical 3,460% during that same period according to a study by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). So, your average $150 teeth cleaning and examination would have cost around $4.33 back in 1966. If only inflation had affected the price, that same cleaning would cost $32.30 today.
So, yes: it’s fair to say you used to be able to take care of your teeth for less back in the day.
While the cost of general dental visits and specialty dental procedures has risen dramatically over the last 50 years, we still shouldn’t assume that affordable dental care is a thing of the past. Learn more about the impact your senior oral health has on your overall health.
It’s true that out-of-pocket costs for both standard and advanced dental services exceeds the budget for many people, including seniors who are on fixed incomes and may not have access to dental insurance. It’s also true that the trend toward higher cost of care in the United States doesn’t show signs of slowing any time soon.
However, for seniors feeling nostalgic about the reality of low cost dental care, discount programs exist to make standard and advanced dental care far less expensive - even within the tight budget of retired Americans on a fixed income.
The Dental Solutions discount dental program, for example, offers between 20% and 50% off the normal retail cost for most dental services, all for less than $10 per month for an entire household. Taking advantage of these savings is quick and simple.
Happy tip for today:
If you have ever shaken your head and thought that things were better when you were younger, take a few moments to make sure you’re not overlooking some of the great things you could be taking advantage of right now! Find out more about how our dental insurance alternative helps seniors and retirees save on dental care.
