How to Offer Finance to Dental Patients

Why Dental Practices Offer Patient Finance

Dental treatment can be a significant investment. High upfront costs for treatments like braces, implants, or whitening often discourage patients from proceeding. By offering finance options, you make essential treatments accessible to more people—helping patients say yes to the care they need and want.

Key Reasons to Offer Finance:

• Increase case acceptance rates.
• Reduce decision delays and increase treatment uptake.
• Improve cash flow with prompt payments from finance providers.
• Enhance patient satisfaction and loyalty.

Types of Finance Products for Dentistry

Dental practices can partner with specialist finance brokers to offer:

• 0% interest payment plans: For shorter terms, usually 6–12 months.
• Low APR finance options: Extended repayment periods with manageable monthly fees.
• Buy now, pay later: Patients defer payment for a set period before instalments begin.

"Many of our patients would have put off important treatments were it not for our monthly payment solutions."
— Dr. Hannah Evans, Practice Owner

Getting Set Up: Step-by-Step Guide

1. Choose a Reputable Finance Partner: Research brokers like Kandoo who understand dental sector needs.
2. FCA Authorisation: Ensure your practice is either FCA authorised or registered as an Introducer Appointed Representative (IAR) if your finance partner arranges this.
3. Integration and Staff Training: Work with your provider to integrate online finance applications seamlessly into your patient journey. Train reception and treatment coordinators on how to introduce finance.
4. Compliance and Documentation: Clearly disclose all necessary costs, APRs, and eligibility criteria to patients, in line with UK regulatory requirements.
5. Promotion: Feature finance options on your website, in-practice signage, and in patient communications.

Legal & Regulatory Considerations

• FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) Regulation: Most dental finance solutions require practices to be authorised or to partner with a broker who holds authorisation.
• Advertising Requirements: Disclosure of representative APRs, total cost of finance, and other details must be made clear in any promotion.
• Treating Customers Fairly (TCF): Patients must not be pressured and need clear information to make informed choices.

Always Check:

• All staff are trained to discuss finance options compliantly.
• Application processes are secure and GDPR compliant.

"Patient-friendly finance, offered transparently, can transform your practice’s appeal and your patients’ oral health outcomes."

Tips for Introducing Finance to Patients

• Bring up finance early in treatment discussions, especially for treatments costing £250 or more.
• Use relatable examples: Show monthly costs for common treatments.
• Be transparent about terms and conditions.
• Offer multiple options: Let patients choose the plan that fits best.

Example Patient Conversation

“Mrs Smith, your dental implant treatment could be split into 12 monthly payments of just £80, interest-free, subject to approval. Would you like to see how that works?”

Benefits for Your Dental Practice

• More bookings for high-value treatments
• Improved patient loyalty and satisfaction
• Predictable cash flow, as finance providers pay you upfront
• Differentiation from other practices

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Ready to Boost Your Dental Practice?
Speak to a specialist finance broker like Kandoo today and discover how easy it is to offer patient finance solutions tailored to your business.
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Frequently Asked Questions

1. Will finance affect my cash flow?

• No, you typically receive payment in full from the finance provider once the patient is approved.

1. What is the minimum treatment amount for finance?

• Usually £250 or above, but this varies by provider.

1. What if a patient misses payments?

• The finance provider, not your practice, is responsible for collecting missed payments.

The Bottom Line

Offering finance helps dental practices grow while making quality treatment accessible to more patients. By partnering with a trusted finance broker and following compliance best practices, you can implement finance smoothly, benefitting your patients and your business alike.