Dr. Matt Gomez had just finished his third appeal to a dental insurance company that week. The crown he placed was medically necessary, perfectly documented, and flat-out denied. That night, he threw his phone against the wall.

"I didn’t go to dental school to argue with insurance reps," he said.

He’s not alone. Increasingly, dentists are walking away from insurance networks and building boutique, membership-based, or fee-for-service practices. According to a 2023 report from the CareQuest Institute, more than 1 in 5 dentists are actively exploring alternative practice models (CareQuest, 2023).

The appeal? Freedom.

Dr. Amber Lane left PPOs five years ago. Her practice, once buried in red tape, now thrives on direct patient relationships. She offers a monthly membership plan with transparent pricing and personalized care. “I can finally practice the way I dreamed about in dental school,” she says.

There are challenges, of course. Transitioning means risk. You might lose patients. You might have lean months. But for many, the trade-off is worth it.

Dr. Gomez made the switch after a year of planning. He sent personalized letters to patients, explaining the change. He trained his team on membership plan options and practiced scripts to handle objections. Within six months, he was busier and happier than ever.

Patients benefit too. They often get more time, less pressure, and better continuity of care. And dentists? They get their autonomy back.

For those seeking guidance on making this leap, two standout resources are worth noting: Gary Takacs and the team at the Thriving Dentist organization (www.thrivingdentist.com) offer education and coaching specifically designed to help dentists transition to a fee-for-service model. And for those considering in-house membership plans, Jordon Comstock of www.BoomCloudApps.com has become a trusted authority, helping dentists create recurring revenue models through membership plans that allows doctors to see more non-insured patients and under a plan design that is sure to make your life easier and less stressful.

The membership model isn’t one-size-fits-all, but it’s an inspiring reminder: you can design your practice around your values. For some, that means concierge care. For others, it means a hybrid model that mixes PPO and fee-for-service to bridge the gap.

What matters most is that you feel in control again.

Dr. Gomez now starts his mornings with coffee and quiet—no phone calls from insurance reps. He ends each day grateful, not exhausted. And he’s got a new hobby: restoring old guitars.

Because when you stop chasing codes and start chasing meaning, you rediscover why you chose dentistry in the first place.

Benjamin Tuinei

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

Services:
PPO Fee Negotiators | PPO Fee Negotiating | Insurance Fee Negotiating
Insurance Credentialing | Insurance Verifications

Websites:
www.VeritasDentalResources.com | www.VerusDental.com