Credit Card Processing for Dental Practices

Check the payment setup before you switch

Start with three representative statements and the payment methods you need to keep. Ask for the complete written account cost, including monthly charges, online payment costs and equipment terms. A standalone terminal is not the same as an integration with your business software.

What card fees take from dental practices

More treatment, more processing cost Crowns, implants and orthodontic work can mean thousands charged to a card. A $4,500 implant costs $159.30 to process at 3.54%.

Fees on each installment Payment plans charge a stored card every month. Each installment brings another processing fee.

Fees fall on patient payments Insurance money arrives by check or EFT. The card fees apply to the patient's portion, where collecting is most difficult.

Card costs using the 3.54% benchmark

Hygiene visit ($180): $6.37 in processing cost.

Crown ($1,400): $49.56 in processing cost.

Implant ($4,500): $159.30 in processing cost.

Monthly card sales ($80,000): $2,832 in processing costs. 3.54% is BlueFinch clients' average all-in effective rate before switching. These are calculated examples, not promised savings.

What's included in the offer

Properly configured, eligible credit and debit card transactions can use a 0% merchant processing rate. BlueFinch provides a free standalone terminal without an equipment lease, long-term contract or cancellation fee, plus signage and help getting started.

Monthly, PCI, gateway, batch, chargeback and other fees specific to your account may still apply. State law, underwriting, network rules, the processor or acquirer, payment channels and customer-facing prices determine the exact program.

Using both prices in daily work

Estimate the patient balance: Show the patient's card and cash prices for their portion on the treatment estimate.

Review before treatment: Discuss prices alongside the plan before treating the patient or storing their card.

Collect at the front desk: Patients choose cash, check or ACH, or use a credit or debit card at the card price.

Match the amounts: Keep receipts, ledger entries and deposits consistent with one another.

Likely to suit you

Meaningful patient balances are paid by card

You review estimates ahead of treatment

Front-desk staff explain pricing consistently

Your practice software can display both prices

Check these first

Insurer EFT payments make up most revenue

Patient pricing is restricted by payer contracts or state rules

You can't change prices on existing stored-card plans

Your software can't keep amounts consistent

Answers for business owners

Is dual pricing an option for dental practices? Many practices use it. Payer contracts and state rules differ, so we'll review both before changing your setup.

Can we keep our practice software? Most practice-management systems can run alongside the terminal. Some support a direct connection; we'll check yours before switching.

What about HSA and FSA cards? Confirm benefit-card acceptance, eligible purchases and pricing with your processor before launch. Do not assume every HSA or FSA card follows the same account terms.

Can payment plans use this pricing? Yes, stored-card plans can use the same pricing if patients agree in writing when enrolling.

Can I use it in my state? Yes. We work in all 50 states, each with its own card-pricing rules. We set up your prices and signs to fit the rules where your business operates.

Can I keep my POS? Yes. Some POS systems require their own merchant account and charge a much higher rate to cover the software. If yours works that way, we'll explain your options.

How soon can I switch? In minutes once you're approved. Plug in your terminal, connect to Wi‑Fi and start taking cards.

Check the numbers and the rules.

• 2026 processing cost report

  Inspect the 3.54% BlueFinch benchmark, calculation method and dated primary sources.

• Merchant statement decoder

  Use settled card volume and all fees from the same statement period.

Primary references

• Visa: cash discounts and card-acceptance rules

  Visa permits a cash discount as a reduction from the standard price. Its surcharge rules are a separate program; your acquirer agreement and local requirements also apply.

• Mastercard: credit-card surcharge rules

  Mastercard distinguishes credit-card surcharges from debit and prepaid transactions. Do not treat a surcharge and a posted cash/card price program as interchangeable.