As a clinician, you have come across many patients whose teeth would have been easier – and less costly to fix – if they had sought care earlier. And there are likely plenty of would-be patients who need oral care, but know the cost is simply too high, especially if they don’t have insurance or the procedure isn’t covered by their plan. In fact, a study last year in the industry journal Health Affairs found that cost was the largest barrier to receiving dental care.
The result? Patients fail to get the care they need, compromising not only their oral health but their overall health. For needed cosmetic procedures, the emotional impact of delaying care can take a toll as well.
That’s why it’s important for both current and potential patients to have payment options—especially if they have a subpar credit score.
While many financing companies have similar models, BrightSmile Financing’s dental loan program is unique, since it is available to those with both strong and weak credit histories alike. BrightSmile can do this because the company qualifies patients not only based on credit score but also on income and other factors. In fact, because of BrightSmile’s unconventional approach, the company can approve patients with a credit score as low as 500. That makes BrightSmile far more flexible than most of its competitors, which often require upwards of a 600 or 700 score.
Through BrightSmile, patients can quickly get care without having to wade through extensive administrative processes first. In fact, when a patient uses a practice that participates in BrightSmile’s network, that patient can apply and get an approval status while right at the office. Patients can use BrightSmile financing for many preventive, restorative and cosmetic procedures.
Dentists, meanwhile, don’t assume any risk for patients who finance a procedure: BrightSmile provides full funding of the procedure the day of service. And should a patient default, the dentist is not held liable for the cost of the work.
By offering this financing option, practices can provide their patients with the flexibility to meet both their regular financial obligations and the cost of quality dental care. At the same time, by using BrightSmile, they can also drive additional revenue to their practice.
BrightSmile continues to grow from its Florida roots where it launched in 2013; the network is expanding to Texas and Georgia. To learn more, visit brightsmilefinancing.com.
