Your schedule is full… but not in the way you want.
There are open chairs, last-minute cancellations and slow days that make you wonder why your phone isn’t ringing more. You’re doing good dentistry. Your team is friendly. Your website looks great. So why does getting new patients still feel harder than it should?
Here’s the part most dental offices don’t think about: patients don’t search for the best dentist. They search for a dentist who takes their insurance.
Insurance networks quietly support how practices show up, get called and get booked. And if you’re not using them the right way, you could be missing out on patients who are already looking for you.
Why is it harder than ever to find new dental patients?
Whether you’re opening a brand-new practice or have been serving your community for years, finding new dental patients is harder now than ever before. A few things make it harder for dental offices to get noticed and keep their schedules full.
More Dental Offices Make It Harder to Get New Patients
Finding new dental patients isn’t as easy as it used to be. More dental offices are opening every year, which means more competition for the same patients. Online ads cost more, reviews play a bigger role and patients shop around before they ever visit an office.
Insurance Affects Which Dentist Patients Choose
On top of that, most people won’t book an appointment unless the dentist takes their insurance. Most people want care that costs them less out of pocket. People who get dental insurance through work or buy it on their own will mostly look for ways to use the benefits they are paying for. When they look for a dentist, they usually start with a list from their insurance company.
How Do Insurance Networks Help Dentists Get More Patients?
So, you want more patients in your chairs, but you may wonder how insurance networks really help. It’s normal to ask if joining a network is right for your practice. Insurance networks do more than set fees. They help patients find your office, make it easier for patients to agree to treatment by sharing cost, and give patients regular access to benefits so they keep coming back for care.
Insurance Directories Make It Easier for Patients to Find You
When patients look for a dentist, many start with their insurance company’s list. A list of trusted dentists from an insurance company helps people choose a new dentist in a fair and unbiased way. These lists show dentists who take their plan, are close to home and meet the rules to be in-network. Offices that show up as in-network are more likely to receive calls to book new patient appointments.
Lower Costs Help Patients Book Their First Visit
Most patients worry about how much a dental visit will cost. When a dentist takes their insurance, the insurance provider helps pay for most treatments, so patients pay less. Since a first visit usually includes checkups and cleaning—services that most plans cover fully—patients feel more comfortable booking their first appointment.
Taking Insurance Helps Patients Trust Your Practice
Patients often trust dentists who take their insurance because it shows the office meets the insurance company’s rules and standards. They know they can use their available benefits and that the office is a real, licensed provider. This makes patients more comfortable choosing your practice for care.
Can Insurance Networks Keep Patients Coming Back?
Yes! Joining an insurance network can help patients keep coming back.
Patients With Insurance Are More Likely to Make Appointments
Patients with insurance are more likely to book visits because they know part of the cost is already covered. They don’t have to worry as much about paying the full price out of pocket. This makes it easier for patients to afford regular care, so they are more likely to schedule checkups and follow-up treatments to finish their care plans.
Insurance Helps Patients Come Back for Regular Care
When patients find a dentist that takes their insurance, they worry less about unexpected costs. They know their visits will use the benefits they are paying for, the office understands their needs and their dental and health history is all in one place if they stay with the same dentist. This trust makes them return to the same dentist again and again.
How Can Dentists Pick the Right Insurance Network?
Not all insurance networks are the same, so it’s important to compare a few key things.
How to Tell Which Insurance Network Is Right for You
Not all insurance networks are the same, so it’s important to compare a few key things. You should look at how many patients the network can bring in, which plans are included and what the fees and rules are. Checking these details helps you pick a network that fits your practice and keeps your schedule full.
How to Make Insurance Networks Fit Your Practice Goals
Once you know which insurance networks could be a good fit, the next step is making sure they match your practice goals. Look at whether the network brings the right patients, fits your schedule and works with the services you offer.
It’s also a good idea to pick insurance networks that match how your office runs. Things like easy online tools, fast and correct claims processing, quick payments, helpful customer service, dedicated representatives and electronic payment options all affect how smoothly your practice will run.
Choosing networks that support your goals helps your practice grow while keeping your office running smoothly.
Ready to Grow Your Practice with Delta Dental of Arizona?
Want more patients and a schedule that stays full? Delta Dental of Arizona connects dentists with patients who need care and trust offices that take their insurance. We make it easy for our members to use their dental benefits and we constantly promote the value of preventive care. Becoming a network dentist can take your practice to new heights! Plus, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
It’s easy to get started. Learn more or join our network at deltadentalaz.com/dentist/join-our-network.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do insurance networks help dentists get more patients?
Insurance networks make it easier for patients to find your office, lower their costs and build trust. This helps more patients choose your practice and book appointments.
Is joining an insurance network worth it for small dental practices?
Yes! Joining an insurance network helps small practices get more patients, lower their costs and build trust—making patients more likely to book and keep coming back.
How do patients find in-network dentists?
Patients usually start by checking their insurance company’s directory. These lists show dentists who take their plan and are nearby, making it easier for patients to find your office and book an appointment.
Can dentists grow without participating in insurance networks?
Yes, dentists can grow without insurance networks, but it’s harder. You must rely more on marketing and word-of-mouth to fill your schedule. Some patients may skip your office if you’re not in their insurance plan.
How does Delta Dental of Arizona help keep my patient chairs full?
At Delta Dental of Arizona, we know that regular preventive and diagnostic care is key to maintaining both oral and overall health. That’s why we analyze claims data and patient visit patterns to spot missed preventive care. For example, if a covered patient hasn’t scheduled a dental cleaning, we proactively remind them to call and book an appointment.
These efforts help more patients follow your recommended recall schedule, giving you more opportunities to complete their treatment plans. This is just one way we work with our in-network providers to support the relationships you are building with your patients.
