Expanding Access and Enhancing the Patient Experience

As patients surveyed recognize the connection between oral health and overall wellness, preventive visits increased slightly in 2024. Simultaneously, independent dental practices are navigating growing operational and financial pressures, from increased patient volume and evolving consumer expectations to rising costs and shifting reimbursement models.¹

For owners of small- to mid-sized dental practices, these challenges can feel overwhelming. Yet with the right strategies and tools in place, these challenges can be transformed into opportunities for growth. By adopting innovative solutions that can enhance operational efficiency, strengthen patient relationships, and expand access to care through additional financing options, practices can remain competitive while delivering exceptional care.²

Shifting Trends in the Dental Healthcare Landscape

Preventive dental care visits have risen since 2023, which may be fueled by 91% of adults surveyed recognizing the link between oral and overall health.¹ While this is a positive shift, it could introduce increased workloads and administrative complexities for private dental practices. Today’s patients also expect greater convenience, transparency, and flexible payment methods, such as online scheduling, digital communication, and conversations about financing before care is delivered.² Practices that meet these demands may be better positioned for growth and patient retention.

At the same time, practice owners are concerned about revenue stability and technology adoption³ as they face reimbursement fluctuations and operational cost increases.⁴ Navigating rising supply and staffing costs and reimbursement uncertainty makes it crucial to identify and implement forward-looking solutions that help improve care delivery and operational health.

Growing Need for Credit Access

Cost remains a significant barrier to care. According to Synchrony’s Dental Lifetime of Care study, 58% of respondents believe dental care is not affordable, which may be one of the reasons why 92% of respondents said they would consider holding off on general dental care because of cost.⁴ 

Helping patients better understand how their benefits contribute to the cost of their dental care, and how to maximize their annual coverage, may help more patients access care. The same study found that 58% of respondents would most likely choose a payment option that provided predictable, set, equal payments without using their general-purpose or retail credit cards.⁴

Offering a range of payment options can help improve patient satisfaction, reduce financial barriers to treatment, and support practice revenue stability. Third-party financing partners can help independent dental practices seamlessly offer a range of payment solutions that meet modern expectations while easing administrative burdens on the staff.

Streamlining Operations Through Software Integration

Technology adoption can seem daunting for small and mid-sized practices. Independent software vendors (ISVs) specialize in creating software that can be used across various computer operating systems, which is ideal for wary practitioners. These ISV integrations help automate administrative tasks, optimize scheduling, simplify billing, and enable smoother financial transactions, empowering practices to focus more on patient care. 

Many ISVs and leading practice management software platforms offer integrated third-party financing solutions at the point of service. ISV-integrated financing solutions reduce manual entry and streamline the patient financing process.

Expanding Credit Access with Multi-Source Financing (MSF)

Not all patients qualify for financing with your preferred partner. That’s where multi-source financing (MSF) comes in. By connecting patients to a network of partner lenders, MSF models can offer additional payment options for patients who may not qualify for traditional credit products with your preferred partner. 

This approach helps patients proceed with care while helping providers secure timely payments. A seamless digital application process streamlines the experience for both patients and practice staff.

Solutions to Help Your Practice

As technology continues to evolve, so do the tools that enable dental practices to operate more efficiently and care for patients more effectively. Third-party financing solutions that integrate seamlessly into practice workflows and offer diverse payment options can help empower dental practices to enhance patient experiences, streamline operations, and maximize revenue. Embracing these innovative solutions allows dental practice owners to reinvest their time and energy where it matters the most–delivering quality care and building stronger relationships with their patients and communities. 

References

1. American Dental Association. Dental industry predictions for 2025 (S5 E06). January 2025. https://www.ada.org/publications/dental-sound-bites/season-5/dental-industry-predictions-for-2025-s5e6. Accessed March 18, 2026.

2. Pearl R. The consumer revolution in medicine is (finally) here: what comes next? Forbes. September 30, 2024. https://www.forbes.com/sites/robertpearl/2024/09/30/the-consumer-revolution-in-medicine-is-finally-here-what-comes-next/. Accessed March 18, 2026.

3. American Dental Association. Economic outlook and emerging issues in dentistry: Insights from data from Q4 2024 and a look ahead into 2025. 2025. https://www.ada.org/-/media/project/ada-organization/ada/ada-org/files/resources/research/hpi/dec2024_hpi_economic_outlook_dentistry_slides.pdf. Accessed March 18, 2026.

4. Synchrony. Dental lifetime of care study. 2023. https://www.carecredit.com/sites/pc/pdf/dental-lifetime-of-care-study.pdf. Accessed March 18, 2026.

Disclaimer

This content is subject to change without notice and offered for informational use only. You are urged to consult with your individual advisors with respect to any information presented. Synchrony and any of its affiliates, including CareCredit, (collectively, “Synchrony”) makes no representations or warranties regarding this content and accepts no liability for any loss or harm arising from the use of the information provided. Your receipt of this material constitutes your acceptance of these terms and conditions.