As more people choose to have implants and cosmetic dentistry, making life as easy as possible for the patient to gain access to treatment becomes more important. Practice Manager at Torrington Dental, Toni Batty, explains how patient finance through Medenta has benefitted the practice.
With more than 10 years’ experience of using patient finance, Toni is well aware of the difference it can make to treatment uptake. Initially only used for implants she has seen the scope of treatments covered widen considerably over the years. “When we started offering implants the patients were a certain demographic, usually the over sixties,” she explains. “We are a referral practice, and we do a lot of implants, and complex restorative cases. In fact, we have one dentist whose caseload consists mainly of restorative dentistry.
Increased demand for cosmetic dentistry
“Now, our cosmetic dentistry patients are getting much younger,” she continues. “Often, they’re young people who want perfect smiles. They want straight, perfect, white teeth. Another of our dentists has a great Instagram following, where he promotes his composite bondings work and he gets a good take up from this online presence.”
As the type of patient seeking cosmetic dentistry has changed, Toni has seen the uptake of patient finance increase. The value of treatments covered by patient finance has also widened. “We get a lot of take up of cosmetic dentistry, with some £15,000 to £20,000 treatment plans,” she says. “But then we still get those patients who come in who are getting married in six weeks or six months’ time and want some tooth whitening or some minor restorative treatment. Those could only cost about £350, but patient finance is a way they can afford it as well. In that case they would obviously only be paying back over a short period of time. So, the patient finance option is not just for the bigger treatments. We like to think it’s there for everybody who wants to have a little bit of help.”
However, as well as patient finance being used by people who would otherwise be unable to afford to take up a treatment plan, she has also seen patients using it to hang onto their own cash. “Some patients are adopting the attitude, ‘I’ve got the money in the bank, but 12 months interest free means I still have that money in case anything else comes along.’ So, It means they still keep their buffer for any emergencies that may arise.”
Easier for everyone
However, using patient finance doesn’t only make life easier for the patient. As Toni says, using Medenta makes life simpler for her too. “It’s a really easy system to use,” she enthuses. “The reporting makes it straightforward for me to go in and check things. I also like the fact that you can set up a plan and the patient gets to know that it’s been approved. Sometimes they might come in for an initial consult, and they’re told it’s going to cost, say £6,000 for example, but the treatment might not be starting for another three months. However, they want to know that they’ve got that finance secured. So, the fact they can be reassured it’ll be there is great for them”.
Allowing patients the facility to sign up for patient finance online is another bonus for Toni. “I like the fact that it’s all done at home,” she says. “Previously, when we had to apply in the practice, I had to ask them questions about their finances and that’s not something that people are always comfortable with,” she admits. “But this is all done online at home. That means, all I get to know is the application’s been accepted, it’s been declined, or it’s been referred. So, I can explain to the patient, that’s all the information I have about their finances, which makes people feel as if their privacy has been respected.”
To any practice considering introducing patient finance, Toni would urge them to go ahead. “It’s definitely worth it,” she says. “One of the big advantages is you get the fees upfront as soon as treatment has started. So, for longer courses of treatment, when the lab bills are coming in, you’ve already got the money in place and the dentist isn’t having to cover it themselves. So, it really does work.”
If you have any questions, simply give us a ring on 01691 684 175, or click on the ‘Get started’ button near the bottom of this page and fill out our form to let us know if you want to get going with patient finance by Medenta.