Dental Menu is a membership plan platform that allows dental practices to offer affordable care directly to patients, without the need for traditional insurance.
What is a dental membership plan?
A dental membership plan is a direct-pay model where patients pay a monthly or annual fee for preventive care and discounts on additional services. Unlike traditional insurance, membership plans do not have deductibles, claim denials, or waiting periods, making them ideal for uninsured patients.
What is the difference between a discount plan and a membership plan?
Discount plans work like a coupon; they can attract patients quickly because they appeal to those seeking immediate savings, but they fail to build patient loyalty. In-office membership plans function like a subscription service, offering regular access to preventive care; they result in greater patient retention and more predictable revenue streams.
Why do I need Dental Menu? Can't I just manage my plan myself?
You definitely can try running your plan on your own, but as your plan grows, it gets increasingly complicated to manage. Dental Menu has customizations, integrations and automations to simplify the management process, reducing wasted time and stress for you, your patients and your staff.
How does Dental Menu compare to other membership plan management platforms?
Our competitors offer less customization, integrations, automations and features, making Dental Menu the best option available.
How much does Dental Menu cost?
Our platform is affordable for membership plans of all sizes. We charge a monthly per member fee for smaller plans, so you only pay for what you need. When your plan grows to 100 members, we cap your fee to a flat rate, so your membership fees never get out of hand.
02. Platform
What practice management software does Dental Menu integrate with?
To make managing your membership plan simple, Dental Menu integrates with the major practice management software: Eaglesoft, Open Dental, Dentrix, Denticon, and Dentrix Ascend.
How do I customize my membership plan?
Our platform lets you create a flexible menu of services that fit your practice's needs. You set the pricing, services and frequency, and we’ll do the rest.
Who do I contact if I need help with my account?
Our team is here to support you—just reach out through our contact page.
How can I get my staff on board?
Staff involvement can make or break a membership plan, so it's important to involve your team from the beginning. As they understand the benefits of your plan, they will promote it to patients. You can also offer incentives to further motivate your team.
03. Setup & Success
What are common mistakes practice owners make when offering a membership plan?
Common mistakes we see practice owners make include manually managing their plan, incorrectly pricing their plan, only offering annual payments, not involving their team, and not tracking plan performance. You can check out our video series to learn more common mistakes and how to avoid them.
What services should I include in my membership plan?
A well-structured plan typically includes preventive care, such as cleanings, exams and X-rays, and discounts on restorative and cosmetic procedures. With Dental Menu, it's easy to offer multiple plan options tailored to your patient demographics.
How should I price my plan?
Start by assessing your costs, your patient demographics, and what other dental practices nearby are offering. Tiered pricing can help you reach a broader audience with different needs and budgets. From our experience, patients on monthly payments stay on plans longer and have less resistance to price increases. Many practice owners are worried about patients signing up, receiving services, and then cancelling their membership; a one-time enrollment fee can help cover some or all of the initial costs and reduce the likelihood of frequent cancellations.
