Dental collections
Dental collection agency for dental practices.
This page is for dental offices, not patients. We match practices and dental service organizations with collection partners experienced with patient balances, treatment-plan financing and the compliance rules that come with them.
Are you a patient? We can't help with individual bills. The CFPB's debt collection resources explain your rights, and your dental office can explain charges and payment options.
Where dental balances come from
- Patient portions after insurance, including estimates that turned out low
- Treatment plans with in-house payment arrangements that stopped
- Cosmetic, orthodontic and implant work not covered by insurance
- Missed-appointment or lab fees, where your financial policy allows them
Compliance considerations
Patient balances are consumer debts, so an outside collector must follow the FDCPA, the CFPB's Regulation F and state law. A collection agency that receives patient information generally acts as a HIPAA business associate, so expect a business associate agreement. Rules and bureau policies on credit reporting of medical debts have changed in recent years, so ask any agency for its current policy. See our medical collection agency page for more on healthcare-specific rules.
Before placing a dental account
- Confirm insurance has paid or denied and the patient balance is accurate
- Send statements and a final notice under your financial policy
- Resolve billing disputes and treatment complaints first
- Check whether any third-party patient financing is involved, since that lender may be the creditor instead of you
What to look for in a dental collection agency
- Experience with dental offices and DSOs, including early-out programs
- A patient-friendly tone, payment plans and clear dispute handling
- Easy file exchange with your practice-management software
- Clear contingency pricing and regular reporting
Related
- B2B debt collection guide
- Debt collection agency licensing
- Debt collection laws for businesses
- Free templates (DOCX & PDF)
Not legal advice. This page is general information, not legal advice, and laws vary by state and change over time. CollectionPlacement is a referral service, not a law firm or collection agency. Consult a licensed attorney about your situation.
How it works
Three steps to placement
One short form replaces calling a dozen agencies.
Tell us about the debt
Debt type, total balance, age, number of accounts and location. Takes about two minutes.
We match you
We review your file and introduce you to agencies or collection attorneys that handle your debt type, size and jurisdiction.
You choose and place
Compare terms (contingency rates, fees, reporting) directly with the partner and place only if it's a fit. No obligation.
Trust & compliance
How we approach compliance
FDCPA-aware
Consumer and medical accounts are only referred to partners that represent they comply with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Regulation F and applicable state law.
Vetted partners
We check licensing/bonding where required, attorney bar status, and complaint history before adding a partner to our network.
No pressure, no obligation
Matching is free for creditors. You negotiate terms directly and decide whether to place.
Your data, handled carefully
We only share your file with the partners we introduce you to.
Frequently asked questions
Can a dental office send a patient to collections?
Generally yes, following your financial policy and applicable law. The agency must comply with the FDCPA, Regulation F, HIPAA and state rules.
Do we need a business associate agreement with a dental collection agency?
An agency that receives protected health information generally acts as a business associate, so a BAA is typically expected. Confirm with your compliance advisor.
What is an early-out program for dental practices?
An outside firm works patient balances, often under the practice's name, before they become bad debt. It's a gentler step than traditional collections.
I'm a patient. Can you help?
No. We only work with practices and other creditors. CFPB resources are a good place to start.
Free, no obligation
Get matched with a collection partner
Tell us about your receivables. We'll review and introduce you to vetted agencies or collection attorneys suited to your debt type, size and state.