Okay, let’s talk about in-office dental plans. These little gems are the hottest thing since electric toothbrushes—and if you’re not on board yet, you’re missing out. But don’t worry; I’ve got you covered. In this ultimate, no-B.S. guide, we’re diving headfirst into how to create and grow a dental membership plan that will have your patients cheering and your accountant high-fiving you. Ready? Let’s do this.
What Are In-Office Dental Plans?
Picture this: you’re running a bustling dental practice, but you’re tired of getting ghosted by insurance companies. Claims are denied, reimbursements are delayed, and you’re pretty sure someone at the insurance office just spilled coffee all over your paperwork. Sound familiar? Well, that’s where in-office dental plans come in to save the day.
In simple terms, an in-office dental plan is a membership program you create for your patients. They pay you directly—either monthly or annually—in exchange for preventive care services and sweet discounts on other treatments. It’s like setting up your own Netflix of dental care, minus the buffering and bad sitcoms.
Still curious? You can nerd out on the details over at the ADA’s guide on in-office dental plans for all the nitty-gritty regulatory info. But for now, let’s keep this train rolling.
Why In-Office Dental Plans Are a Game-Changer
Before we get into strategies, let’s talk about why these plans are the dental world’s equivalent of a crown jewel:
1. Reliable, Recurring Revenue
Instead of praying that insurance payments come through or stressing over patient cancellations, you get predictable monthly or annual payments. It’s like having a financial safety net made of sparkly, gold-plated dental floss.
2. Higher Patient Retention
Patients who sign up for your in-office dental plan are less likely to ghost you for another dentist across town. They’re committed, and commitment means more frequent visits.
3. No More Insurance Headaches
Gone are the days of begging insurance companies to pay you what you’re worth. Your in-office plan puts the power—and the cash flow—back into your hands. You’re like the dental equivalent of a superhero, minus the cape (unless you’re into that).
Building Your In-Office Dental Plan: The Blueprint
All right, enough talk. Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty of how to set up your plan. Here’s the blueprint:
1. Define Your Target Market
Who are your patients? Are you serving young families, college students, or retirees? Your demographic will help shape what your membership plan includes. Tailoring your plan to your patient base makes it more irresistible than fresh-baked cookies at an open house.
Pro Tip: Conduct a quick patient survey to understand what they’re looking for in dental care. Use this data to customize your plan like a boss.
2. Keep It Simple, Sweetheart
Your plan should be easy for your patients to understand. Nobody wants to decipher a list of benefits longer than a CVS receipt. Stick to three main plans at most, like:
- Basic Smile Plan: Two cleanings, one exam, X-rays, and a discount on other services.
- Family Plan: Everything in Basic but includes more benefits for kiddos and discounted orthodontic consults.
- VIP Plan: Whitening treatments, extra discounts on cosmetic work, and priority scheduling for the dental divas out there.
Pricing Your In-Office Dental Plan: The Sweet Spot
Okay, let’s talk numbers. Pricing your in-office dental plan is like finding the perfect bite of a caramel apple: you don’t want to break your bank (or your teeth). It needs to be affordable for your patients but also cover your costs and make a profit.
Do Some Market Research
Look at what insurance plans cost and compare that with your service rates. Make sure your pricing feels like a steal but still keeps your practice financially happy. The ADA guide has some excellent tips on setting rates, so don’t forget to check that out.
Offer a Monthly and Annual Option
Some people love the commitment of paying annually (usually in exchange for a slight discount), while others prefer a monthly fee. Give them both choices, but remember: annual payments are like gold because you get the money upfront.
Marketing Your In-Office Dental Plan: How to Spread the Word
You could have the most incredible dental membership plan in the world, but if nobody knows about it, it’s like keeping the world’s best toothbrush locked away in a drawer. So, let’s get creative:
1. Train Your Team to Be Plan Pros
Your front desk staff should be able to explain your membership plan better than they explain their favorite reality TV show. Hold a meeting, give them cheat sheets, and run through scripts until they feel like in-office dental plan ninjas.
2. Leverage Social Media Like a Pro
Use Instagram, Facebook, and even TikTok to get the word out. Post engaging content about how your plan works, why it’s awesome, and maybe even throw in a video of you floss-dancing (the dance and the dental kind).
Content Ideas:
- Patient testimonials talking about how much they’ve saved.
- A behind-the-scenes look at your office with a reminder to sign up.
- Quick videos explaining the benefits of your plan, with a dash of humor.
3. Create a Dedicated Page on Your Website
Your website is prime real estate for selling your in-office dental plan. Make sure you have a dedicated page with all the juicy details, an FAQ section, and a clear call to action to sign up. (P.S. If you’re feeling fancy, embed a short, engaging video that breaks everything down.)
4. Email Marketing That Doesn’t Suck
Send out regular emails with fun subject lines like, “Want to save big on your smile? Join our plan!” Make sure your emails are short, snappy, and full of energy. Highlight the benefits and use visuals to keep people engaged.
Unique Strategies to Grow Your In-Office Dental Plan
Okay, you’ve set up your plan. Now what? It’s time to grow it like a cavity-free grin.
1. Host an In-Office Membership Launch Party
Yep, you heard that right: a party. Invite current patients to learn about the plan, offer snacks, and do a raffle for a free membership. People love free stuff and a good reason to socialize. Make it fun, take lots of photos for social media, and let the membership sign-ups roll in.
2. Offer a Referral Program
Your patients are your best advocates. Create a referral program where current members can earn credits toward dental treatments when they refer a friend. Everyone loves a win-win situation!
3. Partner with Local Businesses
Team up with local businesses to offer exclusive perks for your members. Maybe a free coffee at a local café after a cleaning or a discount at a nearby gym. It builds community spirit and makes your plan even more enticing.
Success Stories: How Patients Fell in Love with the Plan
Don’t just take my word for it. Here’s what some real-life patients had to say after joining their dentist’s in-office plan:
Story #1: The No-Insurance Entrepreneur
Meet Jake, a 29-year-old freelance videographer who hadn’t seen a dentist in way too long. He joined the in-office dental plan and saved a boatload on a filling and teeth whitening.
“I thought dental insurance was a scam, and then I found out about the membership plan. $45 a month for peace of mind? Sign me up. I actually look forward to my cleanings now—who knew?!”
Jake’s story is common. Young professionals love the idea of affordable, transparent pricing that doesn’t make them cringe.
Story #2: The Family That Saves Together
The Smiths are a family of four who joined the plan to cover everyone’s dental needs. They used the plan for preventive care and saved a small fortune when their son needed braces.
“Insurance was costing us an arm and a leg, and it didn’t even cover everything we needed. The in-office plan has been a game-changer. We feel taken care of and actually save money. Plus, Dr. Lisa makes my kids laugh, so that’s a win!”
What is BoomCloud™?
Okay, before we get into even more of the good stuff, let’s clear something up: Yes, dental membership plans can be fun, profitable, and life-changing for your practice. And if you’re thinking, “Who’s this guy with all the dental hype?” Let me introduce myself properly and give you the scoop on how our company, BoomCloud, is transforming dental practices everywhere.
Meet Me: Jordon Comstock, Founder & CEO of BoomCloud
Hey there, I’m Jordon Comstock. I’m not your average suit-and-tie tech bro. Nope, I’m a former dental lab tech turned membership plan evangelist. Years ago, I worked in the dental field, and I saw firsthand the frustrations that insurance companies created for both patients and providers. Seriously, if insurance companies were a tooth, they’d be an impacted wisdom tooth—painful, annoying, and overdue for removal.
So, what did I do? I founded BoomCloud, a dental membership software company designed to empower practices and give them control over their finances and patient relationships. Think of BoomCloud as your ultimate wingman for in-office dental plans, here to make the whole process automated, profitable, and, dare I say, even a little fun.
Since launching BoomCloud, we’ve helped thousands of dentists create thriving membership plans that boost revenue, increase patient loyalty, and cut out the insurance middleman. And, honestly, seeing the incredible success stories from our clients? It’s more satisfying than pulling off a perfect crown prep.
Success Story #1: Wood River Dental
Let’s talk about Wood River Dental, a small but mighty practice that decided to ditch the insurance game and go all-in on an in-office dental plan. With BoomCloud’s help, they launched a membership plan priced at $45 a month or $540 annually. And guess what? Patients signed up faster than a 5-year-old rushing to the toy section of Target.
The Numbers That Will Make You Smile
- Members: 800+ patients enrolled in the membership plan
- Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR): $36,000
- Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR): $432,000
Think about that. Wood River Dental now has a solid $36,000 of predictable revenue coming in every month—even when their snowbird patients fly south for the winter. This kind of financial stability has been a complete game-changer for them.
But Wait, There’s More!
Members of Wood River Dental’s plan don’t just stick to basic cleanings. They end up spending an average of 4.3X more on treatments than their PPO counterparts. Let’s break down the numbers:
- PPO Patients: Average spending of $500/year
- Membership Patients: Average spending of $2,200/year
Why? Because membership patients feel invested in their oral health and trust the practice. They’re more likely to say “yes” to additional treatments, from cosmetic procedures to restorative work. Wood River Dental’s staff is thrilled, and patients are happier, healthier, and more loyal than ever.
Success Story #2: 7 to 7 Dental
Now, if you think 800 members is impressive, hold onto your floss. 7 to 7 Dental, a multi-location practice in San Antonio, Texas, took things to a whole new level. They launched their membership plan at $50 a month, and the results have been nothing short of phenomenal.
Mind-Blowing Metrics
- Members: Over 3,800 patients enrolled
- Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR): $190,000
- Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR): $2.28 million
You read that right. $2.28 million in annual recurring revenue. It’s the kind of number that makes dental accountants dance in their office (okay, maybe not dance, but at least smile). With this rock-solid income stream, 7 to 7 Dental has been able to invest in state-of-the-art equipment, pay their staff generously, and even open new practice locations.
How Has It Impacted Their Patients?
Patients at 7 to 7 Dental are raving fans of the membership plan. The practice offers a generous package that covers preventive care and gives steep discounts on additional treatments. Patients love the transparency and affordability, and they often say things like:
“I’ve saved so much money since joining the membership plan, and I don’t have to stress about surprise bills anymore. Plus, I get to see my dentist regularly and take care of issues before they become big problems.”
Why This Matters for Your Practice
If you’re still on the fence about launching an in-office dental plan, here’s the takeaway: Membership patients are incredibly loyal, and they spend more. Practices like Wood River Dental and 7 to 7 Dental have not only created financial stability but also built stronger relationships with their patients. And that’s something money can’t always buy.
How BoomCloud Can Help Your Practice
BoomCloud isn’t just software; it’s your secret weapon for membership plan success. From automating monthly payments to sending out renewal reminders and giving you detailed analytics on your membership growth, BoomCloud makes running an in-office dental plan a breeze.
- Automate Billing: No more chasing down payments or dealing with bounced checks.
- Renewal Reminders: Keep members engaged with automated reminders that bring in those sweet, sweet renewals.
- Analytics and Insights: Track your MRR, ARR, and see which marketing strategies are paying off.
In other words, BoomCloud handles the technical stuff so you can focus on doing what you do best: providing stellar dental care and making your patients laugh with corny jokes about teeth.
Ready to Transform Your Practice?
If Wood River Dental can generate $432,000 a year and 7 to 7 Dental can rake in over $2 million, imagine what an in-office dental plan could do for you. With BoomCloud in your corner, setting up and growing a membership plan has never been easier—or more profitable.
Want to learn more about how in-office dental plans work? Check out this ADA guide for more details and best practices.
Go on, take the leap. Your future self (and your future patients) will thank you.
The ADA Has Your Back
Want to dive deeper into the technical side of setting up an in-office dental plan? The ADA’s comprehensive guide is packed with valuable insights, legal considerations, and templates to help you get started.
Final Thoughts: Start Your In-Office Dental Plan Today!
Creating an in-office dental plan isn’t just about making more money (although that’s a pretty sweet bonus). It’s about creating lasting relationships with your patients, offering better care, and building a community around your practice. With the right strategies and a sprinkle of creativity, your plan will grow faster than a teenager’s wisdom teeth.
Ready to make it happen? Start small, stay consistent, and remember: your patients will love the simplicity, and your practice will love the stability.
Now go out there and become the dental rockstar you were born to be. And don’t forget to check out the ADA’s guide if you need some extra guidance. Happy planning!
