If you’re running a dental practice, you already know this: every percentage point matters.
Between rising labor costs, inflation, and insurance challenges, many offices are feeling the squeeze. But one area most dentists overlook? Credit card processing fees.
We recently sat down with Mark Rasmussen, CEO of Moolah, a modern credit card processor built for dentists, to unpack how practices are unknowingly leaking thousands of dollars a year—and what you can do to fix it fast.
The Hidden Cost of Outdated Credit Card Processing
Most practices assume their rate is fair… until they actually look. Mark shared that many statements he sees show 5–10% net effective rates—often due to fine print, extra fees, or contract escalations.
And if you're in a contract? You could be paying even more, without realizing your rates have been creeping up for months.
?? Bottom line: If you haven’t reviewed your credit card processing in the last 6–12 months, you’re probably overpaying.
Real Case Study: How One Practice Instantly Lowered Overhead
A Dental A Team client recently made the switch to Moolah. Within the first month, their CPA flagged something:
“What did you do differently? Your credit card fees dropped significantly.”
Their effective rate went from 10% to under 3%, simply by switching processors. That’s real, recurring savings—without changing anything else in the business.
Membership Plans That Work (Without the Hefty Fees)
Many offices offer in-house membership plans as they transition out of network. But some third-party platforms charge steep monthly fees and per-patient enrollments.
Moolah’s system includes built-in membership management—no extra SaaS costs. Practices can:
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Set up custom monthly or annual plans
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Sync directly with Open Dental, Dentrix, or Eaglesoft
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Auto-post and track usage in the PMS
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Easily offer modern, subscription-style billing for patients
Should You Charge Patients for Credit Card Fees?
This was a hot debate in our in-person mastermind. Half the room said “absolutely”—they’re done paying for patients’ reward points. The other half worried about optics and pushback.
Here’s what Moolah enables:
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Compliant surcharging, only on credit cards (not debit)
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Transparent opt-in from patients with clear prompts
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Average net processing fees drop below 1% for the practice
Want a hybrid approach? Some offices don’t surcharge in person, but do add the fee to online payments—where patients already expect it.
You’re Already Collecting the Revenue. Keep More of It.
This isn’t about squeezing patients or making your practice feel like a budget airline. It’s about plugging silent profit leaks and modernizing systems that should have been updated years ago.
Even a 1–2% savings on a $1M practice adds $10K–$20K in annual profit—without working a single extra hour.
Ready to See If You're Overpaying?
?? Schedule a demo with Moolah HERE
We love nothing more than to make sure your dental practice is truly THRIVING!
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