Leading UK Dental Debt Collection Agency Frontline Collections shares its top tips for preventing Unpaid Dental fees 

The problem of Unpaid Dental Treatment Fees is nothing new to the world of dentistry. What is new is the financial impact of the pandemic to Dental practices across the globe with most suffering a significant impact to their cash flow during this period.

Like tooth decay, prevention is better than a cure when it comes to Unpaid Dental Fees. Leading UK Debt Collection Agency Frontline Collections has been helping Dental practices collect their unpaid private dental fees for around 15 years.

From Local dental practices to esteemed Harley Street practices in London, Frontline Collections have ensured Dentists get paid for their hard work. Most Dental practices have suffered from a rogue patient not paying at one time of another.

Every dentist and dental professional is expected to act in good faith. The same cannot be said for some unscrupulous patients who will try to avoid paying for their dental treatment.

Frontline Collections’ Dental Debt Collection specialists have compiled a fantastic top ten tips. Even by simply reviewing your current in-house patient payment management process, it can help prevent unpaid dental fees.

Ten top Expert Tips to prevent unpaid dental fees

1. Always discuss payment of dental treatment within the initial treatment consultation. As normal, the positives and negatives are discussed with the dental clinician and the issue of payment should be discussed with the dental patient at this point. Usually, the cost for the treatment and how the patient intends to pay for it. This will help avoid any confusion.

2. Many dental practices have a designated patient treatment co-ordinator to explain options to a patient. These can be appointed senior dental nurses or the practice manager. A clear schedule of treatment and payments should be established at this point.

3. Clearly explain the difference in the cost of the dental treatment options presented to the patient. 

4. Use written and agreed dental treatment plans that detail the cost of the dental treatment. It documents that the work is being done and avoid ambiguity for either party.

5. Make payment requirements clear. It is essential that the patient knows their obligations in respect of payments and when they are due.

6. Expect to be paid on the agreed date. It is not unprofessional to chase up payment on the day it is due from the patient. 

7. If payment is not made on the due date, then send an email or SMS text reminder. You are expecting to be paid just like the patient expected to be treated.

8. Chasing a patient for unpaid Dental Fees via a telephone call is acceptable. Ensure you comply with all relevant professional protocols. 

9. Give your patients plenty of payment options. In the modern world of dentistry, you should be able to accept all major forms of payment for dental treatment and dental fees.

10. If the patient is not able to pay in full what they owe, sometimes it may be appropriate to agree a repayment schedule. Whilst frustrating, there are sometimes unforeseen circumstances where somebody’s financial situation may change overnight.

Check Also : Affordable Dental Practice Management Systems

Patient avoiding payment of dental fees so what now?

If a patient is not simply not paying for private dental treatment, it is recommended that you send a final reminder letter. Ideally this letter is sent by registered delivery so they need to sign for it.

This reminder letter will let the patient know you are serious about getting paid the now overdue dental fees.

If patient is quite clearly avoiding payment, it is usually the time to let Dental Debt Collection specialists help.

Top dental debt collection solutions

For Unpaid private Dental treatment fees, it is imperative you work with a Professional Debt Collection Agency only. 

In the UK, Frontline Collections have long been the top solution for dental debt collection. They help grand Harley Street dental practices through to small private dental surgeries across the United Kingdom.

Since 2005, they have literally helped thousands of dental practices ensure they remain financially stable by delivering low fixed cost debt collection for dental practices.

If you are a Dental practice in the UK and have issues with a patient not paying then it is advisable to contact Frontline Collections immediately.

Within the dental industry, sometimes it is not just dental patients that don’t want to part with payment. On rare occasions it can also be dental practices too.

The sister company to Frontline Collections is the multi award-winning Commercial Debt Collection Specialists Federal Management. They assist a large number of dental equipment suppliers and dental equipment manufacturers recover monies owed to them. Not just in the UK but across the globe by their revered International Debt Collection services.

These debts however, tend to be much larger amounts. They are usually owed for unpaid invoices for dental equipment, dental training and also dental equipment maintenance.

Federal Management are the leading solution for debt collection for dental equipment suppliers and wholesalers.