Dental Practice Strategy: Why Membership Programs Are the Future

February 17, 2025
Written by: Jordon Comstock

How To Launch & Grow a Six-Figure Membership Plan

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Yo! Let’s talk Dental Practice Strategy!

If you’re a dental practice owner tired of the constant tug-of-war with PPOs and insurance companies, you’re not alone. The good news? There’s a better way to attract, retain, and expand your patient base while keeping your revenue steady and predictable. Enter the patient membership program: the ultimate dental practice strategy that flips the script on insurance dependency and skyrockets your profitability.

Let’s dig into why this strategy works, backed by data, case studies, and a sprinkle of irreverence.


The PPO Problem: Why Insurance Stinks

We’ve all been there—dealing with insurance claims that take forever to process, getting hit with endless write-offs, and feeling like you’re working for pennies. PPOs may bring in patients, but at what cost?

The Cold, Hard Numbers

  • Average PPO write-offs: 30% to 50% of your fees.
  • Administrative costs for handling insurance claims: $70,000+ annually for many practices.
  • Patient satisfaction? Meh. Patients are frustrated with denied claims and out-of-pocket surprises.

It’s like running on a hamster wheel. You’re working harder, not smarter.


Membership Programs: The Anti-PPO Strategy

Membership programs are the secret weapon for practices that want to escape the PPO grind and build a loyal patient base. Think of it as Netflix for dental care: patients pay a predictable monthly or annual fee for exclusive benefits.

The Perks for Patients

  • No Insurance Hassles: No deductibles, no claims, no waiting periods.
  • Transparent Pricing: Patients know exactly what they’re paying for.
  • Better Access to Care: Members feel empowered to schedule regular visits, which improves their oral health.

The Perks for Practices

  • Predictable Revenue: Say hello to Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR) and Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR).
  • Increased Loyalty: Membership patients stick around longer.
  • Higher Patient Spend: Members spend 2X to 4X more than PPO patients on restorative care and other services.

How Memberships Optimize Revenue Per Patient

If you want to grow your practice, you don’t need more patients—you need better patients. Membership patients are the rockstars of dental care.

Metric PPO Patients Membership Patients
Annual Patient Spend $500 $2,000
Retention Rate 60% 90%
Administrative Costs High Low

With membership programs, you’re not just filling chairs—you’re maximizing every patient interaction.


Case Study: How BoomCloud™ Transforms Practices

Let’s talk about a real-life success story: Elite Smiles Dental.

Before BoomCloud™

  • PPO-dependent, with 40% write-offs.
  • Inconsistent cash flow.
  • Patients delaying treatment due to insurance issues.

After BoomCloud™

  • Active Members: 600.
  • MRR: $60,000.
  • ARR: $720,000.
  • Patients accepting treatment plans without hesitation.

BoomCloud™ streamlined the membership process, automating payments, renewals, and communication. The result? A happier team, a loyal patient base, and a thriving bottom line.


Why Memberships Are the Future of Dentistry

The world is moving toward subscription models, and dentistry shouldn’t be left behind.

Advantages Over Insurance

  • Faster Payments: No more waiting months for insurance checks.
  • Reduced Admin Work: Save time and money by cutting out claims processing.
  • Patient Satisfaction: Happy patients = glowing reviews and referrals.

The Stats Don’t Lie

  • Practices with membership programs see a 30% increase in revenue.
  • Membership patients are 4X more likely to accept restorative treatments.

How to Launch a Membership Program

  1. Define Your Plans: Offer multiple tiers to cater to different patient needs.
    • Basic Plan: $25/month for preventive care and discounts.
    • Premium Plan: $99/month for expanded benefits and perks.
  2. Market Like a Pro: Use social media, email campaigns, and your website to promote your program.
  3. Automate Everything: Use BoomCloud™ to handle billing, renewals, and patient communication.

Team Incentives: Get Everyone Rowing in the Same Direction

Your team is the backbone of your practice. Incentivize them to promote the membership program and watch morale soar.

Ideas for Staff Rewards

  • Bonuses for each new membership sign-up.
  • Monthly contests with prizes for top performers.
  • Recognition and shout-outs during team meetings.

When your team is invested, your program thrives.


Marketing Your Membership Program

  1. Leverage SEO: Optimize your website with keywords like “affordable dental care” and “membership plans.”
  2. Retargeting Ads: Use Facebook and Instagram ads to reach patients who visited your website but didn’t sign up.
  3. Patient Testimonials: Share stories from happy members to build trust.

Final Thoughts: Dental Practice Strategy

The dental industry is changing, and practices that embrace membership programs will lead the pack. It’s the best way to attract new patients, keep current ones loyal, and optimize revenue per patient—all while reducing your dependence on PPOs.

Ready to make the switch? Schedule a demo with BoomCloud™ and see how easy it is to scale your practice with predictable recurring revenue.

Your future self—and your bottom line—will thank you.

My Top Podcasts

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Learn tactics and strategies from practices that have built a million dollars in recurring revenue from their membership subscriptions alone!

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vision-membership-plan-ebook Creating a patient membership plan is the smartest strategy to implement in your practice. You will increase patient satisfaction & loyalty, Increase predictable recurring revenue & increase sales!

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Jordon Comstock

Author Bio

Jordon Comstock is the Founder & CEO of BoomCloud™, a software that allows practice, clinic & spa owners to build, manage and scale a membership program. This helps practice & clinic owners to create recurring revenue & improve loyalty via membership programs. Jordon is passionate about Music, Hawaii, Healthcare businesses like: dentistry, optometry, med spas and massage spas. Schedule a demo of BoomCloud™ and learn how membership programs can improve your business. Here are more dental books to improve your practice

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