Every dentist wants to help patients say “yes” to the care they need. But getting patients to commit to treatment — especially beyond preventive care — is one of the most persistent challenges in private practice. Whether you’re offering a simple filling or a full-mouth rehabilitation, case acceptance directly impacts your production, profitability, and patient outcomes.

But what’s considered a “good” case acceptance rate? Are there national benchmarks? And more importantly — if your numbers are lower than expected, how can you improve?

Let’s explore what the data says.

Are There Studies on Dental Case Acceptance?

Yes — while there’s limited academic research, several industry organizations, consulting firms, and dental software companies have published data from large cohorts of practices.

Key findings include:

• A 2021 report by the Levin Group estimated that the national average case acceptance rate is around 50–60% for general dentistry in the U.S.

• According to Practice by Numbers, an analytics platform for dentists, top-performing practices see case acceptance rates as high as 85–90% for single-tooth treatment, and 60–75% for comprehensive care.

• Dental Intelligence has reported that the average acceptance of diagnosed treatment by dollar amount is closer to 35–45%, while acceptance by procedure count tends to be higher.

Important distinction:

• Case acceptance by treatment plan means how many patients accept any part of a proposed plan.

• Acceptance by dollar amount means how much of the total proposed treatment value is accepted and completed.

What’s Considered a Healthy Case Acceptance Rate?

A good benchmark depends on the type of care, practice model, and how you measure it.

Case acceptance rates vary depending on the type of dental treatment. Preventive care, such as exams, X-rays, and cleanings, typically sees the highest acceptance rates at 80–90% or more. Basic treatments like fillings and crowns have slightly lower acceptance rates, ranging from 70–80%. More extensive procedures, including implants, full-mouth restorations, and orthodontics, tend to have acceptance rates between 60–70%. When looking at case acceptance across an entire practice by dollar value, the overall rate generally falls between 50–65%.

A case acceptance rate consistently under 50% may signal:

• A breakdown in patient communication

• Financial barriers

• Poor presentation techniques

• Low perceived value or urgency

Why Is My Case Acceptance Rate Low?

Here are the most common culprits:

1. Lack of patient education

   • If patients don’t understand why they need treatment — or the consequences of waiting — they’ll delay or decline.

2. Poor financial transparency

   • If cost isn’t clearly explained, or financing options aren’t offered, patients may feel uncertain or overwhelmed.

3. Insurance dependence

   • Patients often ask, “Will my insurance cover it?” If your team isn’t trained to shift focus from coverage to value, it can hinder acceptance.

4. Timing and trust

   • Presenting large treatment plans to new patients before trust is built may lead to hesitation.

5. Lack of follow-up

   • Many patients say “I’ll think about it,” and are never contacted again. Without a system to follow up, opportunity is lost.

How to Increase Case Acceptance in Your Practice

Here are proven strategies used by high-performing practices:

1. Use visual tools to enhance understanding

• Intraoral cameras, digital scans, and X-rays with visual annotations help patients see the problem — not just hear about it.

2. Train your treatment coordinator

• Empower a team member to present treatment, review finances, and answer questions in a private, unrushed setting.

• Use a case presentation script that highlights value, urgency, and options.

3. Offer flexible payment options

• Use third-party financing (CareCredit, Proceed Finance, Sunbit) or in-house payment plans.

• Present treatment as monthly payments, not lump sums.

4. Present in phases when appropriate

• For comprehensive treatment, offer a phased approach that breaks the case into manageable steps.

5. Build urgency and value — not pressure

• Focus on how the treatment improves their life (health, appearance, function), not just the clinical need.

6. Follow up consistently

• Have a clear system to follow up with patients who say “not now” — with calls, emails, or re-consult invitations.

7. Track and measure your numbers

• Use software (Dental Intelligence, Jarvis, Practice by Numbers) or your PMS to measure:

  • Acceptance by patient count

  • Acceptance by procedure

  • Acceptance by dollar value

Final Thoughts

Improving case acceptance isn’t just about getting patients to say “yes” — it’s about helping them make informed decisions that support their oral and overall health.

By educating, communicating clearly, offering flexible payment options, and tracking your numbers, you can elevate both your patient outcomes and your practice profitability.

Benjamin Tuinei

Founder - Veritas Dental Resources, LLC
Phone: 888-808-4513

Services:
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Websites:
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