According to CDC recommendations, you should visit your dentist at least once a year. However, you are likely to pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars for a single visit or procedure. This can seriously impact your budget, especially if your insurance doesn’t cover dental expenses. According to statistics from 2023, about 68.5 million Americans were uninsured [1].
However, you can always opt for a dental loan if you don’t have the needed sum for dental treatment. While most lenders will check your credit score to determine your loan eligibility and interest rate, some do not. Thus, even borrowers with a poor credit history can still rely on financial support.
Explore Best Dental Loans For Bad Credit

- Be a U.S. citizen, a permanent resident, or living in the U.S. on a valid visa
- Be at least 18 years old (19 in Alabama and some other states)
- Give a working email address
- Provide valid bank account details
- Confirm a sufficient monthly income to cover your loan payments
- Origination fees: 1.85% to 9.99%
- Late payment fees: $10
- Non-sufficient funds fees: $10 per payment returned
- No prepayment penalties
- Multiple rate discounts
- Next-day funding
- The due date may be changed
- Direct payments for debt consolidation
- APRs may be high
- Origination fees are charged
- Late fees may be applied
As soon as one business day after clearing verification
Fair-credit borrowers who need the money quickly
Upgrade is an online financial service that offers up to $50,000 loans to borrowers with good to fair credit. It provides several interest rate reductions and allows you to add a co-applicant or collateral to your application. Choose it if you need money quickly and are not concerned about relatively high interest rates.
Upgrade offers convenient maximum and minimum loan amounts along with flexible repayment terms. It also accepts fair credit borrowers and provides several interest rate discounts.
- Rate discounts for auto pay, direct payment, and reward checking
- Allows to add a co-applicant
- Mobile app for managing your loan

- Be at least 18 years old
- Prove your US citizenship or permanent residence
- Provide your bank account information
- Show your monthly income by providing pay stubs, tax forms, or bank statements
- Provide an active email address and phone number
- Origination fees up to 12%
- $15 late fee
- $15 NSF fee
- Quick access to loan funds
- No prepayment penalties
- Flexible monthly payments
- Soft credit check when prequalifying
- Flexible loan amounts
- Origination fees up to 12%
- High maximum annual percentage rate
- Co-signers aren’t allowed
- Hard credit checks for final approval
- Limited repayment loan terms
One business day (same-day funding available)
Poor credit borrowers who can’t qualify for traditional personal loans
Upstart is a financial platform that enables borrowers with low credit to get personal loans with flexible payback options. Its key advantage is same-day funding.
Upstart does not do hard credit checks when you prequalify. In addition, customers can apply in the morning and receive their personal loan by the end of the day.
- Quick funding (same-day deposit available)
- Available to borrowers with poor credit
- Soft credit checks when viewing your rate

- Be at least 18 years old
- Prove your US citizenship or permanent residence
- Provide your bank account information and social security number
- Show your monthly income by providing pay stubs, tax forms, or bank statements
- Provide an active email address and phone number
- Optional fees (up to 6%)
- Low interest rates
- Co-applicants are allowed
- No prepayment penalties
- Flexible loan amounts
- Interest rate discounts are available
- Multiple repayment options
- No origination fee
- Good credit is required for better loan terms
- Hard credit check if you continue your application
- Late fees might apply
- No co-signer option available
- No physical branches
One to three business days
Applicants with good to excellent credit scores who want to consolidate debt, make major purchases, or cover their long-term needs.
SoFi is a financial website that provides unsecured personal loans. The company doesn’t specify its minimum credit score requirements, but most of its borrowers have credit ratings of 680 and higher. Loans from SoFi are also accessible with a co-borrower with good to outstanding credit. Personal loan candidates need to have a sufficient income and a low debt-to-income ratio.
SoFi does not do credit checks on its customers when they prequalify for a loan. Instead, it examines applicants’ whole financial situation. The company offers reasonable interest rates and flexible repayment terms to qualified borrowers.
- No prepayment penalties
- No origination fees
- Low interest rates
- APR discounts
- Co-applicant option available

- At least 18 years also
- Permanent US resident
- Income confirmation
- Valid bank account or debit card.
- Origination fees: 1% to 10%, or $25 to $500, depending on the state
- Late payment fees: $5 to $30, or 1.5% to 15% of your loan amount
- Non-sufficient funds fees: $10 to $50 per payment returned
- Joint and secured loans are available
- Wide range of loan options for low credit
- Pre-qualifying doesn’t affect your credit score
- Convenient options for debt consolidation
- Relatively high interest rates
- Charges origination fees
- APRs are not disclosed when pre-qualify
- Not available in all states
Within one business day of approval via a direct deposit. Funding within several hours may be offered if you receive the funds on your debit card.
Borrowers with credit issues who want to avoid predatory lenders.
OneMain Financial is a reliable financial service that offers personal loans between $1,500 and $20,000 without minimum credit score requirements. With its joint applications, flexible repayment terms, and soft credit checks for pre-qualifying, it can suit borrowers with bad credit. Interest rates are usually high, though.
The company offers a wide range of secured, unsecured, and joint loan options with flexible repayment terms. Its personal loans are available to underbanked borrowers.
- Direct payment to creditors for debt consolidation
- Loan cancellation within 7 days
- Fast funding
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a U.S. permanent resident
- Live in a qualifying area
- Have a valid bank or savings account
- Have a credit score of at least 550
- Provide income confirmation
- Origination fees: None
- Administration fees: 4.75%
- Late payment fees: May vary by state
- Prepayment penalties: None
- Dishonored payment fees: May vary by state
- Accepts borrowers with fair credit
- Next-day funding
- No prepayment fees
- Soft credit checks when pre-qualify
- Low minimum income requirement
- Convenient loan amounts and repayment terms
- Extra fees may be charged
- Relatively high maximum APRs
- No joint or secured loans
- Not available in all states
Next-day funding if you get approved before 4:30 pm Central Time Monday through Friday.
Borrowers with fair and good credit looking for fast loans
Avant is a trusted online service for borrowers with good to fair credit. The company offers unsecured personal loans with fast funding times, reasonable interest rates, lenient credit score and income requirements, and flexible repayment terms. However, it may charge extra fees and doesn’t offer joint and secured loans.
Avant provides a faster alternative to traditional bank loans and is available for borrowers with fair credit. It also offers reasonable interest rates and certain loan flexibility.
- Fast approval and funding
- The ability to change the due date
- Financial education tools
- Credit-building opportunities
- Be at least 18 years old
- Prove your US citizenship or permanent residence
- Provide your bank account information
- Show your monthly income by providing pay stubs, tax forms, or bank statements
- Have fair credit (at least 660)
- Provide an active email address and phone number
- Late fee of $39
- Long repayment periods
- Three options for repayment help
- High level of customer satisfaction
- No origination fees
- Free FICO score monitoring tools
- Competitive interest rates
- Charges a $39 penalty for late payments
- Strict eligibility requirements
- No co-borrower permitted
One business day (same-day funding available)
Borrowers with fair credit scores who want to consolidate debt, renovate home, or make big purchases.
Discover is more than just a digital bank known for credit cards. It’s also a loan service provider. It gives out fixed-rate personal loans up to $40,000 to people nationwide. The company offers flexible repayment terms and reasonable interest rates to borrowers with fair to good credit.
Discover has some of the best rates in the industry. Plus, they charge no origination fees or prepayment penalties. This means that the overall cost of borrowing is less. If you are in a rush, Discover can transfer funds to you on the next business day.
- Zero origination fees
- No prepayment penalties
- Loan funds in one business day
What Are Dental Loans For Bad Credit?
Dental loans for poor credit are unsecured personal loans used for dental treatment. These options require no collateral and can be obtained within one business day. Since the lender provides funds to people with low credit scores, it imposes high-interest rates and fees to minimize risk.
Typical Bad Credit Dental Loan Terms
Each lender sets its conditions for the loan. Here’s what you can expect to get:
The annual interest rate on the loan | From 6% to 36% |
Loan repayment period | From 2 to 7 years |
Available loan amounts | From $1,000 to $100,000 |
Loan issue fee | From 1% to 10%. Some lenders may set a flat fee or don’t charge extra costs at all. |
How Does Financing For Dental Work With Bad Credit Work?
A dental financing loan allows you to cover costs of various dental procedures, including:
- Regular dental examinations and cleanings.
- Sealant installation.
- Crown and bridge installation.
- Root canal therapy.
- Orthodontic treatment.
- Dental implants.
- Maxillofacial surgical interventions.
- Cosmetic dentistry (teeth whitening, veneers, and dental fillings to enhance your smile’s appearance).
To qualify for a loan, you must meet certain criteria. The lender considers your age, credit and payment history, income, employment status, and current debts when making loan decisions. If approved, the funds are usually deposited into your bank account in one lump sum by the end of the next business day. The repayment is made in equal monthly or bi-weekly installments over the set period.
If your dental financing loan has an origination fee, it will be held back before you receive the money. For example, if you borrow $15,000 with a 5% loan origination fee, a $750 fee will be deducted from the initial loan amount. You will receive not $15,000 but $14,250.
Subsequently, you are required to make a fixed monthly payment until the loan is paid in full.
How Do You Apply For Personal Loans For Dental Work?
Here are some basic steps you need to take to apply for a loan for dental work:
Check Your Credit Rating
With a high credit rating, you can expect a low-interest rate. As a result, you will overpay less. However, if your score is below 660, it will be difficult to get a competitive interest rate. In addition, not all lenders are willing to lend to people with a bad credit history. But you can still get financial help. You can always consider lenders who offer secured loans or loans with a guarantor.
Prequalify
Once you know your credit score, you can select lenders whose requirements you meet and pre-qualify from them. This procedure makes it possible to receive personalized loan offers. Pre-qualification doesn’t involve a hard credit check, so it will not impact your credit score. To get started, you need to provide the lender with basic information: your personal and contact data, annual income, employment history, desired loan amount, and loan purpose.
Compare Offerings From Different Lenders
When choosing a lender, it is recommended to pay attention to:
- Annual percentage rates: The lower the interest rate, the more favorable the loan will be. The overpayment will be minimal.
- Available loan amounts: Please note that different dental procedures have different costs. Therefore, you need to determine how much you will have to pay for treatment. Based on this information, choose a lender that allows you to borrow the amount you need.
- Loan length: A shorter term means you’ll have to pay larger monthly payments but the overall interest amount will be lower.
It’s also a good idea to check whether a lender makes a hard credit check. Such a pull will temporarily lower your credit score.
Consider using the BadCredify platform to select a lender. However, remember that approval is not guaranteed.
Compile The Needed Documents
Once you have decided on a lender, gather all the necessary documentation they require. The list of documents may vary from lender to lender, but the basic ones usually include:
Submit The Final Loan Application And Receive Money
Remember that some lenders do a hard credit check, while others make loan decisions based on your financial capabilities. Check this in advance. The lender will evaluate your loan eligibility taking into account your application details and creditworthiness.
A loan decision is usually made quickly, often within a few hours. If approved, you can receive guaranteed dental financing within 1-3 business days, depending on the lender.
Alternative Dental Financing Options
Despite its advantages, a dental loan is not suitable for everyone. If you are in doubt, consider the following alternatives before signing your loan agreement:
Dental Insurance
Many dental insurance plans cover procedures from routine cleanings to major dental work. Although coverage specifics vary, having dental insurance can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket costs for dental care.
Pros And Cons Dental Insurance
Pros
- It can help cover some types of dental treatment.
- It covers the cost of preventive procedures, such as teeth cleaning and plaque removal.
Cons
- Does not apply to all procedures.
- Requires monthly or annual fees.
CareCredit
CareCredit is a medical credit card for various medical procedures, including dental treatments. For bills totaling $200 or more, CareCredit provides interest-free financing options for 6 to 24 months. If you don’t pay off your balance within the specified period, it will result in interest charges. Additionally, for procedures costing more than $1,000, CareCredit offers extended payment plans ranging from 24 to 60 months.
Pros And Cons CareCredit
Pros
- CareCredit is accepted in many dental and medical clinics.
- The process for receiving CareCredit is very fast, giving you instant access to money.
Cons
- In case of late payment, interest is charged for the entire loan use period.
- Funds can only be used to cover medical expenses.
Dental Savings Plans
Some dental clinics offer a membership program. For a one-time fee per year, you can continue using the dentist at a discounted rate. The membership helps reduce future expenses and alleviates the financial burden.
Pros And Cons Dental Savings Plans
Pros
- Most popular dental services are eligible for discount offers.
- You don’t need a good credit score to participate in the savings plan, and there are no penalties.
Cons
- You must pay an annual membership fee.
- The service is not insurance, so you will only get a discount, not full or partial coverage.
0% APR Credit Card
Some credit card issuers offer a 0% interest rate for a certain period (usually 12 to 21 months). Using a credit card with a 0% APR to finance dental expenses can offer temporary relief from interest charges. However, it’s important to carry a small balance on the card beyond the interest-free period, as subsequent interest charges can be costly.
Pros And Cons 0% APR Credit Card
Pros
- During the 0% APR period, you do not have to pay interest on the funds used.
- Paying off debt on time can help improve your credit score.
Cons
- The 0% APR period is limited and may be insufficient to pay off the debt.
- After the interest-free period ends, the rate may be over 22%.
In-House Dental Financing
Many dental clinics offer in-house financing options. In this case, the payment schedule is developed directly with the clinic, and borrowers pay minimal or no interest rates.
Pros And Cons In-House Dental Financing
Pros
- Funding is provided directly through the dental clinic.
- No credit check is required.
Cons
- Only a small number of clinics provide this service, as it requires a license in many states.
- You become linked to a specific healthcare provider.
Conclusion
Bad credit dental loans for implants or teeth cleaning refer to any financial product that can be used to cover the cost of dental procedures. You can get a loan for dental treatment even with a low credit score. However, the lower the credit rating, the higher the interest rates on the loan.
Work to build a good credit rating to receive financial assistance on favorable terms in an emergency. If a loan is not your option, consider available alternatives.
Methodology
BadCredify thoroughly analyzed over 30 lenders and identified the top loan options for dental expenses. Loan providers must offer competitive annual percentage rates (APRs) to make the top list.
The list also includes lenders with low minimum credit score requirements. Simple and transparent pre-qualification and application processes are also essential criteria for BadCredify.
We also considered repayment terms and the range of available loan amounts to ensure a lender offers flexible solutions. Additionally, BadCredify always pays attention to lenders’ reputations and business practices. The top list includes licensed companies offering the most transparent borrowing conditions.
FAQ
Can I get dental financing with bad credit?
Yes, you can get a dental loan with bad credit if you meet other lender’s requirements. You can visit the BadCredify platform, select a lender from the list provided, and submit an application to receive funds. However, remember that you may face higher interest rates and loan fees with a bad credit history.
What credit score do I need to get a dental loan?
In most cases, your credit score should be at least 580. While some lenders accept lower credit, they offer less favorable loan terms.
How do I know if my insurance covers the dental procedures I need?
You need to contact your insurance company and find out what is covered by your plan and what is not.
How can I obtain a Loan for dental services with favorable interest rates?
You need a good credit score to qualify for a loan with a favorable interest rate. If your credit history is poor, applying with a cosigner who has a high credit score will help you get competitive rates.
What options exist for dental financing for individuals with bad credit?
Individuals with bad credit can turn to online lenders, dental clinics offering in-house financing, dental savings plans, or credit cards.
How much do I need for financing dental implants with bad credit?
On average, a single dental implant can cost between $1,000 and $3,000, while a full set of upper or lower jaw implants can cost between $20,000 and $50,000.
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