For many patients, the cost of dental care can be a difficult barrier to overcome. Even routine checkups can become unexpected expenses, and larger treatment plans only amplify the challenge.

When someone needs orthodontics, a root canal, or another life-changing dental procedure, the financial pressure can delay treatment and ultimately impact long-term oral health and wellness. Dental practices see this every day, which is why accessible financing options are essential for both providers and the people they care for.

Dental practices see this every day, which is why accessible financing options are essential for both providers and the people they care for.

Because insurance coverage often falls short, many patients turn to medical credit cards to cover dental work upfront. These can offer short-term relief, but they frequently come with limitations like high APR and deferred interest traps.

For this reason, both patients and dental providers are seeking financing alternatives with clearer terms, predictable monthly payments, and flexible structures that support a patient’s budget without the risk of unexpected interest.

What Is a Dental Credit Card?

A dental credit card is a specialized line of credit designed for medical and dental expenses. These cards function similarly to traditional credit cards issued by Visa or Mastercard, but are meant specifically for healthcare providers and dental offices.

Cardholders use them for a wide range of dental needs, from routine fillings to cosmetic dentistry, orthodontics, or dental implants. Many include promotional financing or a temporary interest-free period, although these may include hidden deferred interest charges, and eligibility often depends on good credit assessed through a hard credit check during the application process.

The Limitations of Dental Credit Cards

Dental credit cards may be useful for covering treatment upfront, but they’re not always as patient-friendly as they appear. Generally, the best credit cards offer cash back rewards, broader flexibility, and no gotchas, but dental cards are highly specialized and often come with more restrictions.

Perhaps the biggest concern, even among the most popular dental credit cards like the CareCredit credit card, is deferred interest built into many promotional offers. If a cardholder doesn’t pay off the full balance by the end of the promotional period, on time every month, they will owe retroactive interest charges dating all the way back to the purchase date.

Other challenges include low credit lines, high-interest rates after promotions end, annual fees, and strict approval criteria that can exclude borrowers with a lower credit score or limited credit history. These factors can cause confusion for patients, reduce case acceptance, and create financial risk for dental practices relying on consistent payments.

12 Top Alternatives to Dental Credit Cards

Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) for Healthcare

BNPL financing solutions are becoming increasingly popular because they break dental payment obligations into predictable installments instead of revolving credit. Patients can apply quickly, often through a soft credit check that doesn’t affect their credit score, and many BNPL plans offer interest-free options depending on loan terms and eligibility.

What makes BNPL unique is its simplicity: patients receive clear repayment terms and flexible financing options without the complicated promotional structures found in medical credit cards. Many platforms also offer special financing options and flexible payment plans tailored to a patient’s financial situation.

Cherry Payment Plans, for example, are BNPL installment loans built for medical and dental practices, enabling patients to apply for financing up to $50,000 in just 60 seconds with no harm to their credit score. If approved, they can choose from patient-friendly repayment plans up to 60 months based on their budget — even ones with true 0% qualifying APR (no deferred interest).

For practices, Cherry supports treatment acceptance with an 80%+ approval rate, and enhances cash flow with exclusive approvals, upfront payment, and the lowest merchant fees in the industry.

Pros of BNPL

• Usually only requires a soft credit check
• Predictable installments
• Accessible to a wider range of credit histories
• Easy for dental offices to integrate
• Upfront payment to practices

Cons of BNPL

• Loan amounts and timelines vary widely
• Fees for late or missed payments

Medical Loans

Medical loans are basically personal loans designed specifically for healthcare and dental treatment. Many patients think of them as dental loans because they help cover treatment like dental implants, dentures, or major restorative procedures. They differ from a dental credit card because they are installment-based with fixed repayment terms, loan amounts, and monthly payments. This stability appeals to borrowers who want a clear repayment plan rather than revolving credit.

Pros of Medical Loans

• Fixed repayment structure
• Good for high-cost procedures
• Predictable monthly payments

Cons of Medical Loans

• Requires a credit check
• Higher rates for bad credit

HRAs and MERPs

Health Reimbursement Accounts and Medical Expense Reimbursement Plans allow employers to reimburse employees for qualifying dental expenses. Instead of taking out a loan or using a medical credit card, patients receive tax-advantaged reimbursements after paying the provider.

These programs are unique because the employer effectively covers the cost upfront and repays the employee afterward — functioning like an interest-free source of financing. The downside is that patients must adhere to employer guidelines and wait for reimbursement, which doesn’t help with upfront payment at dental practices.

Pros of HRAs and MERPs

• Tax-advantaged
• Reduces out-of-pocket cost
• No interest

Cons of HRAs and MERPs

• Limited to employer programs
• Reimbursement isn’t immediate

HSAs

Health Spending Accounts are a powerful personal finance tool that enable patients to use pre-tax funds to pay for dental care. They’re especially useful for patients planning larger dental procedures because the tax savings can significantly reduce overall dental costs. HSAs differ from other financing options because patients contribute in advance, building a dedicated savings account for medical and dental needs. The drawback is that only individuals with high-deductible health plans qualify.

Pros of HSAs

• Tax advantages
• Covers a broad range of dental treatment
• Funds carry over year to year

Cons of HSAs

• Requires a high-deductible plan
• Contribution limits apply

FSAs

Flexible Spending Accounts let patients allocate pre-tax earnings toward medical and dental expenses. Unlike HSAs, FSAs are tied to employers and generally operate on a “use it or lose it” timeline — as in, unused funds typically expire at the end of the year.

FSAs stand out because patients can access their entire yearly pre-tax election at the start of the plan year rather than waiting to build the balance over time. This works well for checkups or smaller treatments, but larger dental work may still require outside financing because FSAs have relatively low annual caps.

Pros of FSAs

• Immediate tax savings
• Great for predictable procedures

Cons of FSAs

• Funds expire
• Lower annual limits

In-House Payment Plans

Some dental practices choose to offer their own financing, allowing patients to break costs into installments directly with the office. This creates flexibility, gives practices more control over repayment terms, and helps establish a relationship between the patient and the office. It does, however, come with some big drawbacks: The practice must act as a lender and assume not just the added work of managing billing and repayment, but also the risk if a patient defaults.

Pros of In-House Payment Plans

• Fully controlled by the practice
• Supports ongoing relationship between patient and practice
• No external lender fees

Cons of In-House Payment Plans

• Very risky for practices
• Limited scalability
• Better-suited to low-cost procedures

Cash Discounts

Some dental offices offer discounts for patients who can pay upfront in cash, which can significantly reduce dental expenses and eliminate the need for patient financing. These arrangements also appeal to patients who want to avoid any kind of credit check or underwriting. The downside, however, is that few patients can afford to pay in cash for larger procedures.

Pros of Cash Discounts

• Can reduce costs significantly
• No credit check or eligibility requirements

Cons of Cash Discounts

• Requires upfront cash
• Not feasible for major cases

Charity Funding

Charitable dental programs can be a lifeline for patients who can’t afford essential treatment and don’t qualify for traditional financing. Instead of loans or credit cards, these programs rely on philanthropic organizations, nonprofit clinics, volunteer dentists, or community grants to cover some or all of a patient’s dental costs. Charity funding works especially well for urgent needs — like extractions, dentures, or restorative work — but availability is limited and often prioritized for individuals experiencing financial hardship, disability, or other qualifying circumstances.

Pros of Charity Funding

• No credit approval process
• Helps patients with significant financial need
• Little to no out-of-pocket cost
• Ideal for essential or urgent procedures

Cons of Charity Funding

• Eligibility is limited
• Long wait times
• May not cover all treatments

Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding platforms allow patients to raise money for dental work through community support. It’s a nontraditional approach, but one that doesn’t require repayment or creditworthiness. This option can help with urgent dental needs or expensive treatment plans. That said, results are unpredictable and rely heavily on timing, luck, and the patient’s network.

Pros of Crowdfunding

• No repayment
• Great for emergencies

Cons of Crowdfunding

• Unpredictable
• Can be emotionally difficult

Private Insurance

Dental insurance plays a major role in managing dental costs, especially for preventive care like checkups and fillings. While insurance isn’t a financing tool, it pairs well with dental financing options to reduce total out-of-pocket costs. Coverage varies widely, particularly for orthodontics and cosmetic dentistry. Even when insurance coverage is limited, combining a policy with a financing solution can make treatment more accessible.

Pros of Private Insurance

• Helps reduce costs
• Widely available

Cons of Private Insurance

• Limited coverage amounts
• Exclusions for many procedures

Government Assistance Programs

Government programs help patients who meet income-based eligibility criteria. They often cover essential dental treatment and ease financial pressure for underserved communities. However, they usually have narrow provider networks, longer approval timelines, strict eligibility standards, and are limited to essential treatments.

Pros

• Low or no cost
• Essential coverage for many patients

Cons

• Limited access
• Not accepted everywhere

Medicare or Medicaid

Medicare generally doesn’t cover routine dental care, though some Medicare Advantage plans include limited benefits. Medicaid varies by state, though, with some offering robust dental coverage and others covering only emergency services. For eligible patients, it can significantly reduce dental costs, but acceptance rates among dental practices vary.

Pros of Medicare/Medicaid

• Affordable
• May cover essential dental treatment

Cons of Medicare/Medicaid

• Inconsistent coverage
• Limited provider participation
• Strict eligibility

How to Pick a Dental Financing Solution

For Patients

Patients should look for clear repayment terms, predictable monthly payments, and transparent interest rates. To help prevent surprises, examine the fine print to see whether a solution involves a hard credit check, deferred interest, or an annual fee. Those with excellent credit or good credit may qualify for better loan offers, while borrowers with bad credit may benefit from financing solutions with more flexible eligibility.

For Practices

Dental practices should prioritize financing solutions that increase case acceptance and reduce administrative burden. High approval rates, easy integration, flexible payment options, and transparent pricing all contribute to a smoother workflow and better patient experience.

Dental Financing FAQs

1. Can dental financing be used for everything a dental credit card can?

Yes. Modern dental financing options can be used for nearly all of the same dental procedures that a dental credit card typically covers — including but not limited to orthodontics, dental implants, dentures, extractions, clear aligners, veneers, teeth whitening, tooth extraction, root canal therapy, fillings, and other essential dental treatment. Financing can also help patients manage dental costs when dental insurance falls short or when treatment takes place at dental schools or specialty centers.

2. Can I get approved for dental financing if I have bad credit?

Often, yes. Many modern financing platforms like Cherry use wider eligibility criteria to qualify borrowers, making them more accessible to individuals with limited credit history or lower credit scores.

3. What types of dental procedures can be financed?

Most financing solutions can be used for a wide range of treatments — everything from checkups, fillings, and x-rays to dental implants, dentures, veneers, clear aligners, and tooth extraction. Some options can also be used for cosmetic dentistry.

4. Do dental financing plans have interest?

Some offer interest-free options — like Cherry’s true 0% APR plans for qualifying borrowers — while others charge interest based on the loan terms and a patient’s creditworthiness. Reviewing repayment terms upfront helps patients avoid any unexpected costs.

5. Is the credit check for dental financing a hard inquiry?

Most modern financing solutions use a soft credit check to let patients prequalify without affecting their credit history. In some cases, a hard credit check may be required when the patient submits a full application.

6. How fast can I get approved for dental financing?

Approval times vary depending on the financing option. Many modern platforms — especially Buy Now, Pay Later solutions like Cherry — offer instant approval decisions through a soft credit check. Others, such as traditional personal loans, employer reimbursement programs, or government assistance, may take several days or longer to process. In general, patients can expect faster decisions from digital financing tools and slower timelines from traditional programs that require formal documentation or eligibility review.

7. Can dental financing be used alongside dental insurance?

Yes. Insurance can reduce the initial out-of-pocket cost, and financing can be used to cover the remaining balance, including deductibles, coinsurance, or procedures that insurance doesn’t cover.

Offer Flexible Dental Financing With Cherry

While dental credit cards can help in a pinch, their deferred interest, high APRs, and strict credit criteria make them far from patient-friendly. Modern financing alternatives — like BNPL solutions, medical loans, HSAs, FSAs, and reimbursement programs — offer patients more transparency and more predictable repayment experiences.

Cherry takes that a step further by giving patients a streamlined, flexible way to finance their care. The application takes just 60 seconds and uses a soft credit check — allowing borrowers to review multiple plan options without impacting their credit score. Eligible patients can access true 0% APR, terms as long as 60 months, and loan amounts up to $50,000, which make everything from small procedures to major restorative cases more manageable.

For dental practices, Cherry also reduces friction: higher approval rates, upfront payment, and the industry’s lowest merchant fees make it easier to help patients say yes to the treatment they need. Find out why Cherry is the choice of over 50,000 healthcare providers. Claim your personalized demo here.