Transparent credit card processing service created by dentists for dentists

This has been one of the most positive business relationships I’ve had in more than 40 years in dentistry.” That’s how a dental practice office manager described her experience with Dental Card Services, a dental merchant service that aids practices in processing credit card payments. Twelve dental professionals (office managers, dentists, and other staff) who have been using Dental Card Services for at least 6 months participated in this Dental Product Shopper evaluation. We asked them to rate the service on several features, including the savings comparison process, customer service, terms and conditions, and cost savings.

Savings Comparison Process

Manufacturer Description: Dental Card Services offers a complimentary savings analysis. First, the practice contacts the service to receive information about its interchange cost plus pricing. If the practice would like, it can provide Dental Card Services with a copy of its current credit card processing statement. The service will then review the sav- ings analysis as well as the benefits of the interchange cost plus proposal with the practice.

Evaluator Feedback: Eleven of the evaluators rated the savings comparison process as excellent and one rated it as very good. A dentist from Wilmington, NC, who has been in practice for 15 years and has been using Dental Card Services for 3 years said, “I didn’t realize how much money I was wasting on other products until they ran a cost comparison for me.”

Customer Service and Key Terms and Conditions

Manufacturer Description: Dental Card Services was created to help dentists connect with card processing partners that provide transparent, interchange cost-plus card processing and wholesale pricing on equipment. The service has eliminated hidden fees. There are no termination penalties, and the process to switch from the practice’s current service to Dental Card Services is simple.

Evaluator Feedback:When asked what they like best about Dental Card Services, one evaluator said, “The customer service—hands down the very best in the busi- ness.” Another evaluator commented, “[The] explanation is transparent and quick.” A dentist who has been in practice for 25 years said, “In an industry fraught with fine print and bait and switch, Dental Card Services has been a pleasant change.” All of the evaluators rated key terms and conditions (flexibility, lack of termination pen- alties, etc.) as excellent.

Savings Achieved

Manufacturer Description: Dental Card Services states that it saves members any- where from $500 to $30,000 per year. Whether a practice has a low teaser rate or a multi-tier rate plan, Dental Card Services alliance partners provide value, service, and transparency.

Evaluator Feedback: An office manager at a practice in Illinois who has been using Dental Card Services for 3 years said, “The savings are incredible compared to our last vendor.” He went on to say he would definitely recommend Dental Card Services to other practices. Ten evaluators rated savings achieved as excellent and two rated it as very good.

Overall Satisfaction

All of the evaluators rated their overall satisfaction with Dental Card Services as excellent. In addition, they all said they would recommend the service to other dental practices.

When asked what they would like to see improved about Dental Card Services, most evaluators said nothing. A dental of- fice manager in Bellevue, WA, suggested “live chat for customer service,” and another evaluator recommended “a periodic newsletter informing of updates in mer- chant processing (card readers, laws, regu- lations, best practices, etc.).”

A Florida dentist who has been using Dental Card Services for over 3 years summed up his experience with the ser- vice by saying, “[This is] one of the best companies I have ever worked with. I highly recommend, and I have told all of my friends about Dental Card Services.”

Patient Financing