…… I need input. Dentist COVID fees.

F

forpetesake

Senior Member
I am a dentist, and opened my practice again this week. I have implemented new protocols and invested more than $20,000 in PPE, air purifiers for operatories, UVC light and REME Halo in HVAC. We are social distancing and scheduling fewer patients per day. PPE expenses will be an ongoing expense. I am hemorrhaging money, as are all dentists. So far I have not passed any of this cost on to patients, because people are hurting enough. However, I can't keep this up and stay in business. I can't just increase my fees because I am contractually bound by insurance PPO fees and can't charge more for procedures. I would have to charge a separate fee, about $8-10 per patient visit. I have been dismayed at peoples reactions when other dentists, and other businesses charge a COVID fee. There is a lot of pushback. What is a business owner to do? How can I frame this so that I don't get bashed on facebook? BTW, patients have been great, very appreciative of our new protocols. Thanks for your feedback!

fps
 
Last edited:
F

forpetesake

Senior Member
2dollarbill said:
You've got to stay strong as a business to stay in business. I think people understand the extra fees. They may not like it, but I believe they will understand it. Even grocery stores are charging more by not having as many specials. Why should you be any different?

Good Luck!

2db
Click to expand...
Thanks 2db
 
Blastoff

Blastoff

Veteran Member
Can you get SBA money? There should be funds for this!

And I don't understand the public bashing for the COVID fees. This country is so fickle - first it's support your local businesses during the shut down! Give extra tips!

Then it's like people don't understand when the business opens up at half capacity with all the extra PPE and protocols, WHAT! I have to pay for that!
 
F

forpetesake

Senior Member
Dennis Olson said:
I read a story (I didn't post it) a week or so ago where restaurants were charging a separate "Covid surcharge" of a couple bucks. Customers were livid. But the policy wasn't posted anywhere before they bought their meals.
Click to expand...
Good point that people should be well aware of the fees before hand. Even so, one dentist I know did this and the patient slammed her on facebook, thinking that she charged him $10 for a simple surgical mask (which we've been giving patients when they walk in without a mask). I don't know if she adequately explained, but some people don't listen/are jerks. So all the other dentists incur area are afraid to charge a COVID fee now.
 
20Gauge

20Gauge

TB Fanatic
forpetesake said:
I did get the SBA loan, but it's only to be used for employee payroll.

But yeah I'm shocked that people are so vicious about these price increases. It's like they're taking their frustrations out on business owners.
Click to expand...
They are.

My response? Tough SH*T!!!
 
Blacknarwhal

Blacknarwhal

Let's Go Brandon!
There's no way to really win here.

You can't go on without charging the extra fees. Your customers are having a hard enough time getting by as it is.

Question is, can you afford the loss of customers you'll incur with the extra fees? And you WILL lose customers over this. You said so yourself; people are having a hard enough time getting by as it is. But you can't get by without the fees. So you'll have to run the projections as best you can; can you survive without those customers, or without those fees? Then pick the path that ends with you staying open.

The calculus is terrible but the alternative is worse.
 
20Gauge

20Gauge

TB Fanatic
Side issue.... okay thread drift.......

We are moving this year as the place we rent keeps moving the rent up, but services lag. Such as toilets that don't work, etc. That and the radio station that moved in and now block our cell phones 3 days out of 4, we needed to find a new place.

We told each and every customer about it when then came in. It has helped us to no end. Everyone is fine with it. Well except the one customer who complained about driving all the way across town. (3 miles). Yeah it is a small town.

You need to do the same thing. Post it, talk about it, promote it as a plus to the business.

It worked for us. It can work for you.
 
20Gauge

20Gauge

TB Fanatic
Blacknarwhal said:
There's no way to really win here.

You can't go on without charging the extra fees. Your customers are having a hard enough time getting by as it is.

Question is, can you afford the loss of customers you'll incur with the extra fees? And you WILL lose customers over this. You said so yourself; people are having a hard enough time getting by as it is. But you can't get by without the fees. So you'll have to run the projections as best you can; can you survive without those customers, or without those fees? Then pick the path that ends with you staying open.

The calculus is terrible but the alternative is worse.
Click to expand...
The loss of customers under such circumstances will be small. As it was pointed out, this is a very very small cost compared to the whole picture.
 
Chance

Chance

Veteran Member
I haven't been to my dentist yet...don't know what she's done to increase patient/employee protections.

I'm fine with an added fee to help her with these extra costs. Others may not be.

Best to you.

Just called my dentist - she's added hepa filters in each exam room, shoe coverings, some sort of room 'mist', plus changing lab coats per patient - so extra laundry, plus have to wait an hour between patients ....she's charging $10 for PPE.

Her hours have changed too - she's full time Monday thru Friday now - was closed Monday - and she's open at 0730 instead of 0930.

So looks like this is our new normal.
 
Last edited:
F

forpetesake

Senior Member
20Gauge said:
Side issue.... okay thread drift.......

We are moving this year as the place we rent keeps moving the rent up, but services lag. Such as toilets that don't work, etc. That and the radio station that moved in and now block our cell phones 3 days out of 4, we needed to find a new place.

We told each and every customer about it when then came in. It has helped us to no end. Everyone is fine with it. Well except the one customer who complained about driving all the way across town. (3 miles). Yeah it is a small town.

You need to do the same thing. Post it, talk about it, promote it as a plus to the business.

It worked for us. It can work for you.
Click to expand...
OK so you know what I mean. 20% of the public is unreasonable.
 
M

mecoastie

Veteran Member
As long as you are upfront about what the additional expenses are and why I don't think people will have an issue. Definitely notify all your customers and clearly post in your office. I wouldn't call it COVID charge either.
 
Macgyver

Macgyver

Has No Life - Lives on TB
I don't see anything wrong with it.
Post it everywhere, have your staff tell people explicitly whats going on.
Realistically how many people go to the dentist with insurance and leave with a zero balance? Probably no one.
You and the ADA and whatever dental "associations" there are do need to "as a whole" figure out a way to charge this to insurance for people that have it. Hospitals get away with charging for everything short of the normal air in the room. You "as an industry" should be able to as well.
 
F

forpetesake

Senior Member
mecoastie said:
As long as you are upfront about what the additional expenses are and why I don't think people will have an issue. Definitely notify all your customers and clearly post in your office. I wouldn't call it COVID charge either.
Click to expand...
That's an interesting point. Maybe COVID fee is off-putting. What would be a better name?
 
Macgyver

Macgyver

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Dennis Olson said:
I read a story (I didn't post it) a week or so ago where restaurants were charging a separate "Covid surcharge" of a couple bucks. Customers were livid. But the policy wasn't posted anywhere before they bought their meals.
Click to expand...
I saw some of those stories as well.
But they seemed to be claiming it had to do with food prices going up.
Here is a solution don't be lazy, reprint your menu with higher prices on it.
 
SmithJ

SmithJ

Veteran Member
Why bother with PPE? Or at least cut way back. If people come in not wearing masks, don’t worry about them.

I mean, sure YOU wear a mask to protect yourself but no need in washing up until you finish with them. That‘ll save some on soap. Then charge them a bad hygiene fee.
 
F

forpetesake

Senior Member
Macgyver said:
I don't see anything wrong with it.
Post it everywhere, have your staff tell people explicitly whats going on.
Realistically how many people go to the dentist with insurance and leave with a zero balance? Probably no one.
You and the ADA and whatever dental "associations" there are do need to "as a whole" figure out a way to charge this to insurance for people that have it. Hospitals get away with charging for everything short of the normal air in the room you "as an industry" should be able to as well.
Click to expand...
The ADA tried to lobby with insurance companies. Only Delta Dental agreed to pay a fee ($10, I think). But only for the months of May and June!! WTF?!
 
F

forpetesake

Senior Member
smith357 said:
Why bother with PPE? Or at least cut way back. If people come in not wearing masks, don’t worry about them.

I mean, sure YOU wear a mask to protect yourself but no need in washing up until you finish with them. That‘ll save some on soap.
Click to expand...
The masks we give out aren't expensive, it's all the other stuff, including our N95 masks. Even those are only a VERY small fraction of our added expenses. No way around it. I love my staff, my patients, and if anyone got sick I still want to look myself in the mirror and say "it's very unlikely they got it in our office." Don't want to cut corners here.
 
Last edited:
David Nettleton

David Nettleton

Veteran Member
I don't know your cost per patient for their PPE per visit. If I was one of your patients I would understand that I must pay for that ppe you are required to put on me for my own protection. Beyond those ppe charges I would be disgruntled if I thought I had to pay for your lost business since we are all suffering to a degree and most of us will just have to cowboy up. I do have compassion for your plight as for other business people, however. Is there some place, perhaps a dental or medical association that could point you in the right direction for some federal or state government aid due to lost business? If you can keep your cost low, noticeably lower than your competitors, word WILL get around fast about your lower prices and I believe you will have all the business you want.
 
C

CnMO

Veteran Member
I saw where the ADA was making every dentist charge $25.00 up front charge for the PPE. Told ALL dentist to charge the same fee.

Look for that Info on the net or at ADA.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top