When discussing a treatment plan with patients, they may have to choose between several dental treatment options and struggle to understand their implications. They’ll also have questions about potential costs and how their insurance plan fits in. 

Communication is easier when you ensure you and your patient are on the same page. Using smart tools like dental treatment plans and payment plans by Dental Intelligence certainly helps, but you still need open face-to-face discussion to build a rapport with your patients. Check out our top five tips for dental treatment plan presentation. 

1. Invest in Patient Education

The treatment plan (and, on a macro level, your entire dental practice) will succeed only if the patient is 100% on board with what you propose. Take the time to explain dental procedures in a clear, accessible way when you present a treatment plan.  

Your patient needs to understand:

• Their current dental condition
• Why you are suggesting a specific treatment plan
• Their available dental treatment options
• The potential consequences of accepting or declining the treatment plan you present

Focus on the value you are offering the patient. For example, “If we complete this $150 dental filling now, hopefully, you’ll be able to avoid a $1,000 root canal down the road.” 

2. Relate to Patients on an Eye-to-Eye Level

Remember that your average patient isn’t a dentist. Be sure to use simple terms and relate to each patient on an eye-to-eye level, always taking language and cultural barriers into account. When your patient understands their dental treatment options, what they involve, how long they may take, and how much they will cost, they’re a lot likelier to trust you.

Visual aids go a long way toward explaining complex dental procedures. You can use X-rays, 3D scans, dental animations, and other visual tools to educate the patient and help them make an informed choice. Knowing what they may expect will also help the patient feel calmer, especially if they struggle with dental anxiety. 

3. Be Up Front and Honest About Pricing

“How much will this cost?” is one of the first questions patients ask when discussing dental care plans. Even if you generally leave billing to your administrative team, you should ensure that your suggested treatment plan falls more or less within your patient’s budget range. 

You want to avoid a situation in which the patient gets up after a consultation, thanks you politely, and never returns because the treatment plan you proposed was far beyond what they are able to pay. If several treatment options are available, let the patient know which one would be more affordable. If your practice offers payment plans, mention it and briefly explain how they work. 

4. Discuss Insurance 

Many of your patients rely on their dental insurance plans to fund treatments. If you provide out-of-pocket cost estimates based on the patient’s insurance coverage, be sure to clarify these are only approximate numbers since it’s not within your ultimate control whether the patient’s insurance covers the treatment. 

Predeterminations can help you understand the patient’s coverage, but they may be inaccurate. It’s much more reliable to proceed straight to insurance verification, which allows you to offer a more precise estimate. When you know exactly what your patient’s dental plan covers, processing claims is more straightforward, and denials happen less frequently. 

5. Be Ready to Offer Alternatives

Maybe you believe, based on your experience and professional knowledge, that the treatment plan you suggest would be the optimal choice for the patient. But if the patient hesitates because the plan is too expensive or because they would prefer a less invasive procedure, be ready to discuss any other viable dental treatment options. You want your patients to be confident they’re making the right choice for them. 

Let the patient know you understand their concerns and are ready to go the extra mile to accommodate their preferences. Validate the patient’s opinions, answer their questions, and take enough time for each patient so the consultation doesn’t feel rushed.

If the patient needs more time to consider a treatment plan, ensure your team follows up within the next few days. 

Dental Intelligence Paves the Way to Healthy Communication

Presenting a dental treatment plan is a breeze when you use Dental Intelligence, the ultimate dental software service that includes everything from streamlined digital forms to insurance eligibility verification for dental treatment options. Try our tools and take a step toward easier patient communication, smoother processes, and higher profits. Request a demo today.