Glossary

AM (Account Manager)

Following a successful conversion to DPAS, an Account Manager (AM) will be assigned to look after the practice’s needs. Your assigned AM will ensure that all staff are trained in the complexities of the new schemes, advising on patient recruitment and making regular visits to the practice to ensure that all plans are running smoothly.

BDM (Business Development Manger)

An assigned DPAS Business Development Manager (BDM) will oversee all aspects of the conversion process, helping the practice to establish tailored schemes and appropriate rates, as well as any aesthetic features of the new plan. The local BDM will provide any necessary support during the conversion and will be on-hand to deal with queries throughout this process.

Capitation Plan

A Capitation Plan is designed to provide for all forms of standard dental treatment, although the exact specifications of this cover do vary from practice to practice. The individual dentist will ensure that all necessary dental treatment is carried out for the agreed monthly fee, up to the limits of the agreement. A typical Capitation Plan will include all necessary dental treatment, aside from the outsourced laboratory fees.

CSA (Customer Service Advisor)

In addition to assistance from a regionally-based Account Manager (AM), practices will also be assigned an office-based Customer Services Advisor (CSA). Your CSA will oversee patient influxes and departures, handle all payments, deal with patient queries regarding the plans and will be on-hand during all office hours to liaise with the practice, as required.

Maintenance Plan

A Maintenance Plan is designed to provide cover for the basics of dental care. For an agreed monthly fee, the dentist will guarantee 2 or more check-ups per year, a number of appointments with the resident hygienist and any necessary x-rays. The Maintenance Plan is ideal for patients wishing to spread the cost of their basic dental upkeep.

Membership Plan

A Membership Plan enables dentists to strengthen their relationship with Fee Per Item private patients, promoting loyalty towards the practice and providing a new source of income. For a small monthly payment, (£2-£2.50, in the case of the DPAS Membership Plan), patients can guarantee their place at the practice, gain access to a 24-hour emergency helpline number and receive cost-effective insurance cover for dental trauma, out of hours treatment and worldwide emergencies. The Membership Plan allows practices to identify current patient numbers and to forecast future activity, safeguarding and increasing patient revenues to prioritise members ahead of occasional attendees, while providing realistic payments under the insurance following dental trauma or an out of hours call out, without the need to demand payment from the patient at the time of treatment. A Membership Plan is ideal for practices that are already fully independent with a majority of patients paying on a Fee Per Item basis, as well as for practices with an existing payment plan wanting to secure the loyalty of their Fee Per Item patients.

Nationally Branded Dental Plans

Nationally Branded dental plans are standardised, with all members committing to adopt plans from a limited catalogue upon joining the scheme. With nationally branded plans you are heavily associated with the brand, which could be both positive and negative. Nationally Branded dental plans will also market additional products to you and your patients. Joining such a scheme commits the practice to marketing the plan provider, rather than their own practice, thus potentially affecting patient loyalty in favour of being associated with a well-known brand. Operators of nationally branded dental plans are also protective over their brand image and consequently set about influencing the way that ‘their’ practices are run through rigorous methods of clinical compliance.

Practice Branded Dental Plans

In contrast to nationally branded dental plans, Practice Branded dental plans are designed to allow practices to maintain their identity and establish a range of plans that are tailored to their specific needs. While allowing the luxury of outsourcing the administration and insurance needs of a practice, a Practice Branded dental plan provides dentists with the means to set up schemes that are ideal for their individual requirements, either mirroring their current offering, or establishing a new range of plans that are more suitable. All promotional material will feature the logo of the practice, rather than the plan provider, thus maintaining the loyalty of the existing patient base and avoiding the risk of being implicated by association. Ultimately, Practice Branded dental plans leave the practice itself in the driving seat, with full control over prices, services offered and their future in general.

If there is a term you would like explained or discussed please e-mail enquiries@dpas.co.uk.