Important SCAM Alert: Dental implant patients being targeted

Dental Implant scams are on the rise. In particular, scammers are running social media ads that provide false hope to patients regarding access to implants. Scammers are claiming that dental implant grants are available, and, in some cases, they’re even offering payments to patients who agree to have implants done. The odd part is that these scammers are sending patients directly to specific dental offices who are left explaining that this is a false ad to victims of this advertising scam. We are appalled by this behavior, and we want to ensure that our patients (and potential patients) know the facts, know what to watch out for, and feel confident that our practice is doing all we can to combat these bad actors.

What are dental implants?

Implants are a prothesis option for patients seeking a natural looking, permanent alternative to dental bridges, crowns, or dentures. Dental implants can be quite costly, but for many patients they provide the desired, needed outcome. Because of the cost, patients seeking dental implants are more vulnerable to the bad intentions of scammers running these false advertisement campaigns.

What are dental implant grants? Are there any legitimate grants available?

Grants for dental procedures that are considered cosmetic are virtually non-existent. Dental implants are typically classified as a cosmetic procedure and therefore finding a legitimate grant is virtually impossible in most cases.

What are the signs that a grant for a dental procedure like dental implants may be a scam?

There are two key indicators that a dental implant grant or cosmetic dental grant is a scam:

1. Upfront fees: a legitimate grant of any kind will NEVER ask for fees to be paid up front unless it is a small, reasonable application fee. Even then, researching thoroughly is your best line of defense.
2. Automatic acceptance: grants of any kind are typically highly competitive. Automatic acceptance is a red flag that should never be ignored.

Keep in mind, these scammers are sophisticated. They have official looking ad campaigns running on platforms like Facebook, they offer lots of information about dental implant procedures, and they have legitimate looking websites that often accompany their ads. While they do often utilize the phone numbers of actual dental practices, they also have been known to actually call patients who input their phone numbers during the inquiry phase. During these phone calls, they will hype up the availability of the dental implant grant and get patients excited about the possibility of a free procedure. While we are doing our best to combat this false advertising scam, we are unable to fully stop these scammers in their tracks. We want to make sure as many people as possible are aware of this scam in order to protect themselves.

Are there dental implant grants available at Lipson Dental Group?

No, unfortunately there are scammers actively advertising the availability of dental implant grants at Lipson Dental Group. However, these grants are non-existent. With that said, we do have options available for patients seeking care.

While dental implants are available at Lipson Dental Group, they are not free and there are no payments available being paid directly to patients participating in any program associated with dental implants at our office. We encourage you to call us for an over the phone discussion about dental implants if you are interested in scheduling a complimentary consultation.

How can you protect yourself against dental implant scams?

The best rule of thumb to follow is to remember that if something sounds too good to be true, it is likely too good to be true. Dental implants are rather expensive no matter the provider. Going to a reputable dental office, like Lipson Dental Group, is a great way to ensure you’re receiving proper, best-in-class care. While the cost is not insignificant, it is well worth paying for exceptional care before, during, and after a dental implant procedure to ensure long-lasting, healthy results.