You can trim costs with a private practice dentist in a few ways - I bet other folks will have additional ideas.
We have gotten a discount for paying in full at time of service and additional discount for being flexible on appt timing for procedures - "just call me when you have a gap in your schedule" got us 10% off the filling.
Also, discuss with the hygenist how often your teeth 'should' be cleaned - might be less frequent than the standard every 6 months if you are diligent with brushing & flossing.
We looked at dental insurance but money out of pocket for insurance was more than our average annual spending, so we've chosen to "self insure" (that is, not have dental insurance and just pay for procedures out of pocket).
Now that there are 3D printers, some mustachian should develop a process for DIY dentures!! Okay, that might not be feasible with current technology but it's a fun idea.