Step into Dental Unscripted replacing Acquisition Unscripted.
Hosts Michael Dinsio and Paula Quinn, alongside industry experts like executive coach Michael Clark with Next Level Consultants. Our NEW CHANNEL breaks down the dental practice ownership journey with raw, real, and actionable insights. From startups to acquisitions to running a successful practice, this podcast covers it all, one unfiltered episode at a time. In this installment, aired March 27, 2025, the trio dives deep into patient financing—a game changer for boosting case acceptance and turning unscheduled treatment into revenue.

Why does patient financing matter? Michael Clark, a former CareCredit insider, reveals that 15-20% of patients walk in unprepared to pay, leaving practices with massive unscheduled treatment lists (think $1.2-$1.5 million for a $1 million practice). The team unpacks stats showing 50% of revenue comes from insurance, 35% from traditional payments like Visa or cash, and the critical gap financing fills. They tackle why practices shy away—staff discomfort with money talks, misconceptions about fees (it’s a merchant fee, not interest!), and “legacy office managers” pushing risky in-house payment plans that rarely get collected past 120 days. 

Paula shares her own experience as a practice owner and how she picked and chose when to use financing options, while Mike highlights a $1.6 million practice only offered patient financing just once - in an entire year. The conversation gets practical: offer financing on 100% of treatment plans, lead with multiple options (cash discounts, credit cards, third-party lenders like CareCredit, Covered Care, or Clarity Pay), and let patients choose. Why? Because 25-30% of those who leave without scheduling get treatment elsewhere, and same-day acceptance is dropping. From clear aligners to high-end restorations, financing can elevate care levels—like zirconia crowns over PFMs or premium dentures over basics. Plus, hear a story of a patient swayed by low monthly payments, proving presentation is everything.

Now unified under the Dental Unscripted banner (bye-bye Startup Unscripted and Acquisition Unscripted), this navy blue and turquoise-branded show—complete with a big tooth logo—is your go-to for practice management gold. https://dental-unscripted.transistor.fm/

0:00 Intro
4:26 Why Use Patient Financing
7:46 Statistics, and Opportunities in Your Practice
13:20 Case Acceptance Rate, Verbal Skills, & Options
14:47 Why Offices Are Using Patient Financing
20:47 Why patients NEED Financing
25:01 Increase Patient Care Option
27:38 Which Financing Companies to Use?

Sponsored by Candid Pro, a clear aligner system built for general dentists to drive efficiency and profit, this episode offers a special deal https://candidpro.com/nxlevel. Get an amazing deal and exclusive offer via this link.

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Need help with case acceptance or setting up shop as a new owner?

Next Level Consultant's team has you covered Visit: https://nxlevelconsultants.com
find out more on how Michael Dinsio & Paula Quinn can help you with your career as a dentists!