Dental financing for patients is a useful way for many people to pay for their treatment. It allows patients to spread their costs, making possible treatments that might otherwise be inaccessible.

As many dentists and patients move towards private dentistry amid the NHS dental crisis, finding affordable routes to dental care is vital.

There are several options when it comes to financing dental treatment. These include personal loans, dental insurance and credit cards. However, patient finance payment plans are often the most efficient path towards a patient receiving treatment.

These are effectively loans that are paid off over a set period. They typically cover a single course of treatment.

In this guide, we will look at the benefits of dental patient financing. We will also explore what some of the dental patient financing companies offer.

Dental financing for patients: how can it benefit your practice?

• Higher uptake of treatments: for many patients, paying upfront for dental treatment, especially more extensive work, would be unaffordable. Having in place a patient finance option can make it accessible. This means your patients are more likely to be willing and able pay for dental treatment
• Attract and retain patients: if you have an easily accessible financial route to treatment, it will appeal to potential patients. It also means your existing patients are less likely to change to a provider with better financing options 
• Improved cashflow: patient finance companies will often pay you at the start of treatment, even though the patient pays in instalments. It means you avoid the risk of bad debt and maintain a steady cashflow
• Faster agreements: financing options for dental treatments can be offered and agreed to in the practice. This means treatment plans can be agreed on the day with the patient  
• Expand your treatment offering: finance means patients have a wider choice of treatment options.

How can patients benefit from dental payment financing?

• Greater choice of treatments: Paying upfront for treatment limits the choice of what patients can afford at the time. The treatments they want or need can become accessible with a longer-term payment plan
• Finance options for dental patients: Patients can decide on finance options that work for them, depending on their circumstances. For example, they can choose the duration of their payment plan and whether to pay a deposit
• Interest-free financing options for dental patients: Many dental patient finance services offer interest-free terms for a course of treatment. This is usually for shorter terms of payment.

What to consider when choosing dental financing for patients

Cooling-off period

By law, patients have a 14-day cooling-off period, known as the right to withdraw. During this, they can cancel their credit agreement with you at no cost. If treatment has already started, the patient will be obliged to find another way to pay.

Regulations

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulates practices that offer consumer finance. It demands a high level of customer protection and fairness. The Consumer Duty requires practices to maintain high standards relating to:

• Products and services
• Price and value
• Consumer understanding
• Customer support.

You must also provide evidence of delivering good customer outcomes.

Look for a patient finance provider that can advise and train your team on how to comply with FCA regulations.

Dental patient financing companies: how to choose

There are many patient finance providers that would be willing to help your practice, but which one is right for you? Here are some considerations.

Subsidy rates

Many lenders will offer finance through credit brokers (dental practices). The lender may apply a subsidy charge to the loan. The subsidy fee may depend on the finance products available.  This is a cost that needs to be absorbed by the credit broker (dental practice) and can not be directly passed on to the customer (loan applicant).

Terms of repayment

Providers offer different terms of repayment. The more credit and payment options that there are on offer, the more accessible treatment becomes for your patients.

Ease of use

It can take just seconds to approve a patient finance application online if you choose the right provider. An agreement can be as simple as a mouse click. Some patients will also want the option to complete the finance application at home.

It is important to consider whether a provider can offer these services. It also pays to understand how user-friendly the process is, especially if the patient chooses to do the application themselves.

Think about your team and whether they will be able to complete the process without contacting the provider for help.

Understanding your needs

Choosing a provider with an understanding of dentistry is an advantage. Some providers work exclusively with the dental profession. This gives them expertise, meaning they can more easily assist you and your patients and understand your business needs.

Training

Look at the sort of training the provider offers to you and your team. Training may be more effective if you use a provider with expertise in dentistry. They may be able to offer more specific guidance targeted to your needs.

Also note how the training would be carried out. Would it need to be in person or online? Digital training may be more convenient in terms of your schedule and staff.

Support

When you need to speak to your provider, how easy and effective will it be? From technical issues to guidance, having someone who knows their business and yours makes a difference.

Some providers can offer you a personal consultant, who will get to know you and your business. This can make communication easier.

Think about what level of support they will give you as well. Some go beyond technical issues and can offer guidance on business practices, communication and more.

The best dental patient financing companies

Medenta

Simple application process

Medenta, in partnership with V12 Retail Finance patient finance application process, makes it quick and easy for patients and dentists. Its online application portal is specifically tailored to dental patient finance:

• Patients can complete the application process either at the practice or online in the comfort of their home
• A dental payment plan can be chosen whether interest-bearing or interest-free* and an agreement put in place in just minutes**
• There are no complicated forms to fill in – everything is done online in just a few clicks
• The portal will also provide your dental practice with an easy-to-use management zone, giving full insight into all applications, payments and overall insights and trends.

*Subject to the chosen finance options. Some options require Financial Conduct Authority authorisation. Credit subject to status. Terms and conditions apply. **Credit subject to status. Terms and conditions apply.

Greater financial control

• Great rates: Quite simply, it offers competitive subsidy rates, meaning that patient finance options cost you less
• Money upfront: once a patient signs up to an agreement and treatment commences, money is paid upfront ***
• No more bad debts: as treatment is funded through an agreement (less the deposit, if applicable) any issues with a loan applicant’s inability to pay are handled directly with the lender
• Control over cash flow: you know just how much is coming in and when, giving your business a reliable income.

***Subject to cooling off period

Training and support

• A dedicated team: guidance and support go hand in hand with this friendly bunch of well-established experts. They will be with you from initial set up and thereafter
• Resource and Learning Hub: online accessible skills and knowledge for your team to consistently and confidently offer finance in a compliant manner
• Keeping you compliant: always on the ball to offer guidance to their practices providing patient finance with ongoing compliance with laws and regulations. Check out their socials
• Expertise: in-depth knowledge of the dental industry, FCA regulation essentials, making patient finance a success, the list is endless when it comes to their experience
• Approved marketing materials: start promoting patient finance straight away with free leaflets, posters and much more
• Switching provider: if you’re finding your current provider’s support to be isolating, stressful, time-consuming and costly, then their simple switch process is a must.

Where required by law, loans will be regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Consumer Credit Act 1974.

Medenta Finance Limited, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority No: 715523. Registered in Scotland, No: SC276679. Registered address: 50 Lothian Road, Festival Square, Edinburgh, EH3 9WJ. Tel: 01691 684175. Medenta act as a credit broker, not a lender and will introduce practices to V12 Retail Finance Limited for which Medenta will receive an introduction commission from Secure Trust Bank plc, V12 Retail Finance Limited’s parent company.

V12 Retail Finance Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registration number: 679653. Registered office: Yorke House, Arleston Way, Solihull, B90 4LH. Correspondence address: 25-26 Neptune Court, Vanguard Way, Cardiff CF24 5PJ. V12 Retail Finance Limited act as a credit broker, not a lender, and only offers credit products from Secure Trust Bank PLC. Not all products provided by V12 Retail Finance are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Secure Trust Bank PLC trading as V12 Retail Finance are authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Registration number: 204550. Registered office: Yorke House, Arleston Way, Solihull, B90 4LH Calls are recorded for training and compliance purposes.

Practi

*Based on internal data from June 2024 to February 2025. Results may vary by practice.

High loan acceptance rates

Practi works with lenders that offer broad eligibility criteria and high loan acceptance rates for suitable applicants. Because rates can change, contact them for the most up-to-date figures.

Elevated patient experience

• Beautifully designed patient portal gives patients a seamless experience
• Make it easy to pay with flexible loan terms, online applications and real-time credit decisions
• Help patients say yes with added notes, files, and treatment plans.

Award-winning customer service

• Winner of the 2024 Dental Industry Customer Service Provider award
• Every practice is assigned a friendly, UK-based customer success manager
• Product feedback is valued, and practices help shape product development.

FCA administration support

• Simplyhealth’s compliance team supports the FCA Introducer Appointed Representative registration process
• Clear and helpful training on staying compliant is provided
• Practices can access approved marketing assets, including loan calculators, posters, digital TV displays and roller banner templates.

Help patients feel in control

• Option to add treatment guides alongside cost estimates and finance applications
• Access to 20+ clinically verified treatment guides featuring patient-friendly animations and explanations and FAQs
• Track patient engagement and benefit from automated re-sends to ensure follow-up.

Easy for the whole team to use

• Monitor payment status, treatment interest and reasons for non-progression – all in real time
• Simple and intuitive dashboard designed for dental teams
• Quickly see patient status to prioritise outreach.

Practi is a trading name of Simplyhealth Venture One Limited (company no. 14603737 and Financial Service Register no. 999683), who are an Appointed Representative of Simplyhealth Funding Services Limited (company no. 3681199 and Financial Service Register no. 308943), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Simplyhealth Venture One Limited is a credit broker and not a lender. Registered office for the above-named companies: Anton House, Chantry Street, Andover, Hampshire, England SP10 1DE. Credit is arranged by Zopa Bank Limited trading as DivideBuy (company no. 10627575 and Financial Service Register no. 800542), who are authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and PRA. Interest-free credit agreements of 12 months or less are not regulated by the FCA and fall outside the remit of the Financial Ombudsman Service. Interest-bearing credit agreements of more than 12 months are regulated by the FCA. Simplyhealth Funding Services Limited may receive a commission for introducing you to them, from Zopa Embedded Finance Limited (company no.14602085), a wholly owned subsidiary of Zopa Bank Limited. The amount of commission varies depending on the product and amount borrowed. This does not affect the interest rate or amount payable by you. Credit is subject to status and available to UK residents aged 18+. Missed payments may affect your ability to obtain credit in future. Please borrow responsibly. Some of our services are provided by Third Party suppliers. © Simplyhealth Venture One Limited 2025. All rights reserved.

Chrysalis Finance

What does Chrysalis Finance offer?

• Patient-centred services: patients’ best interests are central to what Chrysalis does. It will even work on your behalf if you have any problems with your treatment provider
• Trust: Chrysalis only works with clinicians who are insured and appropriately qualified. They must meet exceptionally high standards
• Expertise: Chrysalis has an independent clinical advisory panel made up of leading specialist clinicians. This advises Chrysalis on developments and best practices to keep it up to date with new treatments and therapies
• Simplicity: Chrysalis’s automated patient application process is quick and easy. Electronic application forms can be completed either in the practice or at home. Its systems can be integrated into your management software
• Speed: practices will receive payment in full within 48 hours of starting patients’ treatment
• Support: included in your fees are access to its FCA compliance service, IT help desk and customer service team. It will even provide IT software integration.
• Marketing: once you sign up with Chrysalis, you get immediate access to its point-of-sale marketing materials
• Training: Chrysalis provides system training for your team and online application support and training

Tabeo

What does Tabeo offer?

• Simplicity: Tabeo integrates with your patient management system to make payments faster and reduce manual errors. It brings finance, plans and cards together in one simple-to-use platform
• Approval rates: get approval rates of up to 95% with Tabeo. It has a plan for nearly everyone, depending on their circumstances
• Speed: patients can arrange their finance within just two minutes. And 90% of credit decisions are instant
• Support: if you need help urgently, Tabeo’s friendly in-house team is available during office hours
• Less paperwork: Tabeo handles all paperwork, including Financial Conduct Authority reporting
• Reconciliation: Tabeo can save you time by simplifying the reconciliation of card payments with patient management system integration. It allows you to locate any payment in seconds
• Choice: Tabeo gives your patients payment choices to suit their needs.

Patient financing plans

Lite

Monthly payments at no extra cost.

• Unregulated
• 0% APR only
• Three to 12 months
• Practice branding
• 50-70% approval rate.

Pro

Smaller monthly payments.

• Regulated
• 0-9.9% APR
• Three to 36 months
• FCA support
• 60-85% approval rate.

Max

For patients who do not meet the credit criteria of traditional lenders.

• In-house
• 0-14.9% APR
• Three to 60 months
• Discounts
• 95% approval rate.

Conclusion

The cost of dental treatment can put off many patients, but lowering your prices often isn’t an option. That’s why having some form of patient financing on offer can be a game-changer for your practice.

This guide has explored the benefits of financing for patients and some of the best providers on the market.

See what works for your own unique circumstances and reap the rewards of more patients saying ‘yes’ to treatment.