Implant Percentage

Question:

I wonder if you can help, we have recently started implants in our surgery. I would really appreciate feedback on implant costs. We are finalizing payment terms with our dentist and it will help to learn from other practice manager’s experience on how costs are shared.

For instance:

If dentist bring their own implant kit how do they share the percentage.

Do they share cost of lab bill, materials, nurse etc.

I do realize that what might work in one practice might not be suitable for another but it will be really helpful to get a general idea of each practice’s experience. As it is our first time with implant this information will be extremely helpful. I am sure some of you have useful experience which you might not mind sharing.

Answer:

Within our practice the costs of implant and prosthetic work is shared equally between the Principal and the Associate. All other costs are cover in the standard manner, for example the cost of the nurse, sutures, anaesthetic is covered by the Principal.

Answer:

Our specialist pays 50% of lab bills and we cover materials and nurse costs. Then we pay him a % of the income each month.

Answer:

I agree that this is a difficult one as dentists have to invest a considerable amount of time and money in training to be able to offer implant treatment. On top of that the implant kits are very expensive etc. I am assuming you are talking about an associate undertaking implant treatment and consequently the usual associate agreement would not be fair. Our principal dentist here was once in that situation when he worked as an associate in another practice. The agreement there was for him to pay a rent for the surgery and a nurse on one morning to carry out his implant treatment. The fees he earnt from implant treatment then went 100 % to him. In theory this could work quite well provided a reasonable rent is agreed (which it wasn't in his case!). I would certainly recommend that a proper agreement is drawn up because you will also need to think about any time taken up by the reception staff booking appointments etc. You also have to remember that there are a lot of hidden costs involved in providing implant treatment – such as all the treatment planning which is much more time consuming than most conventional dentistry.