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How Dropping Delta Dental Boosted Production, Profits, and Patient Loyalty

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Categories: Practice Management, HR and Accounting;
How Dropping Delta Dental Boosted Production, Profits, and Patient Loyalty

A fee-for-service success story

A growing number of dentists on Dentaltown are publicly celebrating their decision to drop Delta Dental and other PPO plans, shifting toward a fee-for-service (FFS) model. Many have chronicled the process in gritty, unfiltered detail with stats, strategy, and unapologetic commentary.

After giving Delta Dental six months’ notice, one dentist mailed 2,000 letters to patients asking for feedback on a potential departure. While framed as a survey, the goal was clear: start controlling the narrative early. The letter emphasized the dentist’s desire to provide uncompromised care and hinted at Delta’s interference in treatment decisions. To his surprise, the majority of patients expressed frustration with their insurance. Only around 10 percent threatened to leave, and according to him, most of those were the “problem patients” anyway.

Since going fully out-of-network, his numbers have been strong. In one month, the practice produced $335,000, saw 66 new patients, and had a net gain of 16 patients despite losing 56, most due to insurance changes. He and his partner now produce around $2,000 an hour each, driven by a focus on indirect restorations like crowns and inlays. Fillings are still offered but billed at full fee, and patients are educated about the difference between porcelain and composite options. “Most patients choose porcelain when given the option,” he said.

Key to the transition was preparing the front office. The team was trained to confidently communicate fees, collect upfront, and explain reimbursement expectations. Patients are told bluntly that insurance reimbursement will likely be minimal and are offered an in-house membership plan as an alternative. According to many, the membership plan retains about 45 percent of patients who might otherwise leave.

The financial impact has been eye-opening. Without PPO write-offs, hygiene revenue alone pushed production to near-record highs even when the practice lost days to weather. He reported over $410,000 in net production in March with $1 million collected for the quarter. The practice rebranded, ramped up marketing, and is now targeting a $4 million annual goal, all on a three-day workweek.

Not every dentist sees a 90 percent patient return rate after dropping insurance. Some posters in the thread pushed back, noting they lost far more. Still, others agreed the trade-off was worth it for better work-life balance, higher-quality care, and reduced stress. “I used to hate fillings,” one dentist wrote. “Now I get paid for them, and I take my time.”

The conversation isn’t just about revenue. It’s philosophical. Many doctors vented frustration over how dental insurance distorts care, undermines trust, and fuels burnout. Delta Dental in particular was called out for stagnant fees, burdensome paperwork, and adversarial tactics like sending letters encouraging patients to find another provider. One dentist quipped that Delta processes claims “like CSI.”

Others shared letters they sent to patients, carefully crafted messages that framed the move as a patient-centered decision rooted in integrity. One included a Google screenshot showing Delta’s 1.4-star rating to drive the point home.

While not all dentists are ready or able to go out-of-network, the Dentaltown message boards have several amazing threads that offer a detailed roadmap for those considering it. From scripting front desk conversations to leveraging Google reviews and patient loyalty, the message is clear: leaving insurance isn’t about abandoning patients. It’s about redefining the terms of care.

As one dentist summed it up, “Insurance companies aren’t on your side or the patient’s. Going FFS let us reclaim our time, sanity, and professional pride. Best decision we ever made.”

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