You can almost hear it... the faint hum of the compressor, the gentle clink of sterilized instruments, and the eerie silence of an empty waiting room.

Across the country, many fee-for-service and out-of-network dentists are staring at schedule gaps and wondering, “Should I just rejoin insurance plans?”

No, my friend. Don’t do it.
That’s not salvation, that’s surrender.

The Big Illusion: PPOs Don’t Bring You Patients
Rejoining PPOs in hopes of filling your schedule is like buying a gym membership to lose weight while still eating donuts for breakfast. You’re signing up, not showing up.

Insurance participation doesn’t guarantee patient flow. You’re still responsible for your own visibility, your own marketing, and your own systems that convert inquiries into appointments.

And the irony? You’ll hand over 30–40% of your fees just to become invisible inside a massive insurance directory, where your name is one of hundreds.

Let’s talk about smarter, more empowering ways to increase production and patient flow without selling your freedom to the PPO overlords.

1. Mine the Gold in Your Own Charts
Here’s a truth bomb: your next $50,000 in production isn’t sitting on Google, it’s sitting in your patient records.

Every office has hundreds of patients with diagnosed but unscheduled treatment plans. You already did the exam, took the X-rays, explained the benefits, and yet, the patient never scheduled.

Why?
They got sticker shock.
They were waiting to “check insurance.”
They just got distracted by life.

The fix? Submit pre-authorizations on those treatment plans.

When the patient receives the pre-estimate showing their benefits, it takes the “fear of the unknown” off the table. Follow up with a call that says:

“Hey Sarah, we got your pre-estimate back! Looks like your plan covers $X of your crown. We also have some great financing options to make the rest affordable. When would you like to get started?”

That one move, pre-authorization plus proactive follow-up, can fill your schedule faster than joining any PPO.

2. Don’t Wait for New Patients, Reconnect With Old Ones
Slow months are the perfect time to re-engage inactive patients.

Run a report of patients who haven’t been seen in 12–18 months. Send a friendly, non-salesy message like:

“We’ve missed your smile! It’s been a while since your last visit, and Dr. [Name] wants to make sure your dental health is still in great shape. We’ve got some flexible times this week, can we schedule you in?”

You’ll be amazed how many say yes. Sometimes patients don’t avoid you, they just forget about you.

3. Build an Internal Referral Engine
Instead of relying on insurance to send strangers, activate your raving fans.

Offer a “Share a Smile” referral program where existing patients get entered into a quarterly drawing (AirPods, electric toothbrush, spa gift card, etc.) for every referral that schedules.

This doesn’t cheapen your brand, it humanizes it. Patients love feeling like they’re part of your story.

And referral patients tend to be the best kind, loyal, trusting, and not obsessed with insurance coverage.

4. Turn Your Team Into Growth Machines
Use the downtime to train your front office on communication that closes treatment and reduces cancellations.

A motivated, well-trained team is the most powerful marketing investment you can make. Teach them how to:

• Confidently present financing options.
• Follow up on unscheduled treatment.
• Convert phone calls into booked appointments.

Remember: it’s not the number of calls you get that matters, it’s how many turn into patients on the schedule.

5. Market Smarter, Not Harder
When the economy slows, most practices cut their marketing. Big mistake.

That’s like turning off your headlights because gas is expensive.

This is the time to amplify your presence:

• Update your Google Business Profile weekly with fresh posts and photos.
• Ask for Google reviews after every appointment.
• Shoot short, authentic videos explaining common dental questions (“What’s the difference between a crown and a filling?”).
• Partner with a local business for a community giveaway, you’ll get free exposure and goodwill.

Marketing doesn’t have to be expensive. It just has to be consistent.

6. Offer Financing Without Fear
Patients aren’t saying “no” to treatment, they’re saying “I can’t pay for it all right now.”

Have at least two flexible payment options available (CareCredit, Sunbit, Cherry, or even in-house plans).

Train your team to present financing as a normal part of every treatment discussion, not a last resort.

When you remove the money barrier, case acceptance skyrockets.

7. Use Veritas Dental Resources to Work Smarter
Sometimes the best business move isn’t “doing more,” it’s “doing smarter.”

That’s where Veritas Dental Resources comes in. We help dentists increase revenue, reduce admin chaos, and stay profitable without crawling back to PPOs.

Whether it’s fee negotiations, credentialing, or claim management, our team exists to help you protect your time and your margins.

The Takeaway
When the schedule slows, the temptation to panic is real. But don’t lose sight of what made you go out of network in the first place: freedom, profitability, and control.

Instead of surrendering to PPOs, double down on your business skills.
Focus on reactivating patients, following up on unscheduled treatment, improving case acceptance, and making your practice visible in your community.

Because when the economy turns around, and it will, the practices that survive now will be the ones thriving then.

Need help negotiating better PPO fees or building systems that grow your practice?
Visit www.veritasdentalresources.com or call (888) 808-4513 to schedule a free consultation.

Don’t wait for the economy to change, be the change your practice needs.

Benjamin Tuinei
Founder – Veritas Dental Resources, LLC
📞 888-808-4513
Services: PPO Fee Negotiators, PPO Fee Negotiating, Insurance Fee Negotiating, Insurance Credentialing, Insurance Verifications
Websites: www.VeritasDentalResources.com, www.VerusDental.com