Appealing to Patients Seeking Cosmetic Dentistry

View the original article titled "Solutions for Patients Seeking Cosmetic Dentistry," published in the December 2024 issue of Inside Dentistry.

Anyone with a social media account knows just how much emphasis is placed on aesthetics. These days, our feeds are inundated with celebrities and influencers showing off their brand-new smiles thanks to cosmetic alterations like clear aligners, whitening, veneers and even implants. The images these influencers have created can impact the sentiments of everyday people, with researchers and practitioners alike noting these factors may be driving people to seek out these treatments to get that quintessential Hollywood smile.¹

Today, it is widely recognized that oral health has a significant impact on overall physical health,² not just what is going on in the mouth. According to the National Association of Dental Plans, dental coverage availability and adoption have increased dramatically over the years in the United States, with nearly 90% of the population having some form of dental insurance in 2022.³ This has not always been the case, however, as costs have been a barrier to accessing dental care for many, and even with insurance coverage, out-of-pocket costs can still present a challenge for people who want or need non-routine care. As a result, patients will often defer treatment or seek more gradual ways to pay for their care to cover out-of-pocket costs.

The Dangers of Discount Travel Dentistry

For patients seeking aesthetic procedures like implants or veneers, these procedures are almost always considered cosmetic and, unless they are for restorative/reconstructive purposes, they are often not covered by insurance. People who view costs as prohibitive to achieving a perfect smile might make care decisions based on what they view as budget-friendly over any other considerations.

Some people opt to pursue a healthy and beautiful smile through travel dentistry under the misguided notion that they could receive the treatment at a lower cost. Unfortunately, there are risks associated with receiving dental care abroad that could cause irreparable damage to a person’s smile and cost them more to correct any damage done.

According to the CDC, people who receive their dental care abroad may end up with more complications than those who receive their care domestically for several reasons:⁴

• Dentists or oral hygienists in other countries may not have or need the same certifications or years of experience required in the U.S. to perform these procedures, which could lead to medical complications or poorly done work.
• Some patients might not factor in the adequate time to heal or may become lax on their post-operative care when they are no longer able to see the doctor who performed the procedure.
• For any work that requires surgical care, like implants and gum grafts, there is also an increased risk of serious infection if the wound area is not properly looked after.

These factors can all lead to drastically worse oral health and potentially impact overall health in the event of infection. The goal of any healthcare provider, including dentists, is to ensure the patient is receiving the best care possible, but standards of care can vary and sometimes costs that seem too good to be true are just that.

Providing Safer Solutions

So, what can be done to keep patients stateside knowing that costs may be difficult to navigate for people seeking any type of dental care? To start, take the time to gauge if a patient actually needs cosmetic dentistry or if there’s another option. For some people, if their concerns lie with the straightness of their teeth or the appearance of their gums, perhaps traditional orthodontic or periodontic care routes can suffice. These more traditional pathways may prove to be financially more manageable for patients as their insurance may in fact cover that care.

In cosmetic dentistry, it is just as important as traditional dentistry to work with patients to explore what care or treatments might help them achieve their goals long term. In addition, it is important to emphasize that proper dental care is an investment, and cutting corners may cause more problems for them in the long run. For patients who truly want to pursue cosmetic care, be it whitening or veneers, it is equally important that patients know what financial options are available.

For those who may be looking into crowns or implants, start that discussion with insurance coverage, then lead into other options such as health savings accounts/flexible spending accounts and federal/state assistance programs as well as in-house or third-party payment plans. Some patients may not know what payment or financing options are available to them in the U.S., and knowing about these options may result in their choosing to patronize your practice.

For providers who don’t offer an in-house plan or are looking to move away from in-house financing, third-party financing programs are an excellent solution to take on some of the administrative burden and financial responsibility associated with financing — all while providing patients with the flexibility to pay for care over time in budget-friendly ways. Solutions like the CareCredit credit card may prove appealing to patients because they can seek dental care with providers in the CareCredit network and not have to worry about paying the full amount upfront.

Ultimately, it is in the patient’s interest to have their dental work done right the first time and in a way that offers appropriate follow-up and long-term maintenance from a licensed and certified provider. To achieve this, dental providers should discuss both traditional and cosmetic treatments and the payment options that deliver the results they want while being within their financial reach.

A Dental Patient Financing Solution for Your Practice

Want to help more patients move forward with the dental care they want or need? Consider offering CareCredit as a financing solution. CareCredit allows patients to pay for out-of-pocket dental care costs over time while helping enhance the payments process for your practice.

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 special financing on qualifying purchases.* Additionally, you will be paid directly within two business days.

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

Author Bios

Dr. Brian Harris, who serves as the chief clinical officer of Snow, is recognized as one of the nation’s top cosmetic dentists. His process and unique approach to cosmetic dentistry are why so many of his patients come from out of state to see him for their smile transformations. He is known as The Virtual Dentist and a pioneer in teledentistry after his creation of smilevirtual.com. Dr. Harris and his wife Maury have been married for 24 years and have four children. Dr. Harris, along with his dad and brothers, created the Harris Dental brand in Phoenix, Arizona, which has been providing quality dental care and cosmetic dentistry since 1979.

Matt Muscolo brings more than 20 years of sales, product and relationship management experience to his role as Senior Vice President and General Manager of Dental Practices at Synchrony. In his role, Matt is responsible for the development and execution of Synchrony’s dental industry strategy, including Synchrony’s leading health and wellness solution, CareCredit. Matt joined CareCredit in 2008 after five years with GE Money. He has a master’s degree in international business from California State University, Dominguez Hills and currently lives with his family in Southern California.

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