Provide Dental Patient Financing Options to Support Patient ​​Care

Dental care can include major procedures, phased treatment plans and elective cosmetic dentistry. Because of annual maximums, waiting periods and exclusions, even those patients with dental benefits may be left with sizable out-of-pocket expenses.

Uncertainty about total costs can slow case acceptance and delay care. Offering practical payment options, including flexible ways to pay over time, can ease cost concerns, get your practice paid quickly and reduce friction at checkout so patients can move forward with recommended treatment. These payment solutions can also help differentiate your practice from competitors.

Dental Patients Pay for Many Treatments Out Of Pocket

Many dental expenses are paid directly by patients. This is especially true for implants, orthodontics, endodontics and cosmetic procedures that may be partially covered or not covered by dental benefits. Patients may also not know their final out-of-pocket financial responsibility until after benefits are verified, and may therefore hesitate to proceed with care.

CareCredit's 2026 Out-of-Pocket Healthcare Expenses report found that among surveyed cardholders who received dental care in the past 12 months, they had out-of-pocket costs averaging $1,316.¹ By discussing payment models in advance of care, your team can help patients understand their choices, ease payment anxiety about the cost of care and make their best care decisions.

4 Types of Financing Options for Dental Patients

Dental patient financing options can help your patients say yes to consults, active treatment and follow-up care. Below are four beneficial types of financing options for dental patients that can also help benefit your practice.

1. Installment loans

Patients borrow a set amount and repay in fixed payments by a specific date. This option could be helpful, for example, for orthodontic treatment plans with defined timelines and a known total fee.

2. Recurring payment plans

Fixed payments are billed by your practice at regular intervals until the plan ends. This financing option could benefit dental patients requiring treatment such as preventive visits, periodontal maintenance and radiographs.

3. General-purpose credit cards

Patients are approved for a reusable credit line up to a limit. As they make payments, credit becomes available again and patients do not have to reapply. Dental patients can, for example, use revolving credit for add-on services and appliances such as night guards and retainers.

4. Third-party financing options for dental patients

A financing company or bank that works with your practice offers a loan or credit card to your patients. Your practice is paid promptly by the financing partner, which assumes the collection risk.

CareCredit offers financing options that may help patients pay for dental care, including both planned treatments and unexpected procedures. The CareCredit health and wellness credit card offers promotional financing on qualifying purchases of $200 or more, and CareCredit Pay Later provides one-time use installment loan with fixed monthly payments.^* One application can unlock more ways to pay, helping patients move forward with the dental care they need.

Additional Sources of Funds

In addition to the financing options above, remind patients to confirm what their dental plan covers, and suggest that they review any available employer benefits, health or flexible savings accounts (HSAs or FSAs) or supplemental benefits.

How Dental Patient Financing Can Benefit Patients and Practices

Offering flexible dental financing can be transformative for patients and efficient for your team. Partnering with CareCredit as a third-party option for dental financing offers the following benefits:

5 Dental Payment Best Practices: Offer Financing Options for Dental Patients

Consistency and clarity are essential when discussing costs and payment options. Implement the following best practices to introduce patient-friendly payment solutions that advance care and facilitate smooth collections.

1. Discuss flexible dental financing options in advance

Train your front desk staff and treatment coordinators to introduce cost estimates and payment options from the start, rather than only at checkout. This will improve the patient financial experience. Adding a brief cost and payment step to your case presentation workflow could also be beneficial.

2. Be clear about dental patient financing eligibility

Dental patients may not be aware that they are eligible for financing for treatments such as veneers, implants or whitening and may be reluctant to ask. Inform them of financing availability for all patients, not just some patients. Post signage throughout your practice with messages such as: "We offer payment options for all our patients — ask us about it today." You may also want to add a payment options page to your website.

3. Offer options for financing dental care

You offer a variety of treatments and your patients have a variety of different financial circumstances. Whether they come to your office for a wellness checkup or for a smile makeover plan, they can benefit from dental patient financing options. Educate them on their options every step of the way through consistent messaging at every patient touchpoint in person, in practice and through digital communications.

4. Find the right third-party financing company for dental practices

Look for a third-party financing partner with dental experience, integrity and transparent terms, as well as strong training and patient education resources. Ask colleagues at other dental practices who their partners are and how the relationships are going. Research will go a long way in helping you identify just the right partner for your practice and your patients.

5. Develop clear and consistent communications

Help your dental patients better understand and feel confident using your dental flexible financing options through patient-friendly messaging. Document your payment policies and timelines for all available treatments and procedures. Communicate them frequently and encourage questions. Scripts for staff members can also be very helpful. Consider creating printed "take-one" flyers or brochures so patients can read them carefully outside of your practice.

How Payment Flexibility Helps Support Dental Practices and Patients

When patients understand costs and have clear ways to pay over time, they can feel more confident moving from consult to scheduled treatment and follow-up care. For practices, offering various financing options can reduce administrative tasks, strengthen patient loyalty and help grow your practice.

Frequently Asked Questions About Offering Payment Options in Dental Practices

These frequently asked questions cover common topics related to dental payment options and patient financing.

What financing options can dental practices offer patients?

Dental practices can offer installment loans, recurring payment plans, revolving credit and third-party financing options. The best choice depends on the type of treatment, the patient's budget and how the practice prefers to manage collections.

How does third-party dental financing work?

With third-party financing, a financing company or lender provides the patient with a loan or credit account for treatment. The practice is typically paid directly by the financing partner, which can help reduce collection risk and improve cash flow.

What types of dental procedures are commonly financed?

Patients often use financing for higher-cost procedures such as implants, crowns, root canals, orthodontics, oral surgery and cosmetic dentistry. Financing can also be useful for same-day care or unexpected treatment needs.

Why should dental practices discuss payment options early?

Introducing payment options early in the treatment discussion helps patients understand their choices before checkout. This can reduce hesitation, improve case acceptance and make the financial conversation less stressful.

How can flexible payment options help a dental practice?

Flexible payment options can reduce friction at checkout, support faster treatment decisions and help practices focus more on patient care than on collections. They may also improve patient satisfaction and loyalty.

What is CareCredit used for in dental care?

CareCredit can be used for qualifying dental expenses. It can help patients pay over time for treatment they want or need, while helping practices receive payment more quickly.

A Dental Patient Financing Solution for Your Practice

Want to help more patients move forward with the dental care they want or need? Consider CareCredit as a financing solution. With CareCredit, you can offer the CareCredit credit card to pay for out-of-pocket dental care with an everyday six-month option available on purchases of $200+, or CareCredit Pay Later one-time-use loan for larger or more defined care costs.^*

When you accept CareCredit, patients can see if they prequalify with no impact to their credit score, and those who apply, if approved, can take advantage of financing on qualifying purchases.^* Additionally, you will be paid directly within two business days.

Learn more about CareCredit as a dental patient financing or start the provider enrollment process by filling out this form.

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