Why should a dental practice never quote fees over the phone, even when the caller insists?
Because no real diagnosis happens by phone, and a quoted fee without a diagnosis is either inaccurate or arbitrary. The caller who insists on knowing the cost is usually price-shopping across practices, comparing numbers that mean nothing without the underlying clinical assessment. Quoting any number on the phone reduces the practice to one line on a comparison spreadsheet alongside competitors offering apples-to-oranges versions of similar-sounding work. The patient picks the cheapest, often a practice that quoted a number that excluded half the work actually needed, and the patient ends up worse off. The right response is structured. Acknowledge the question, explain why an accurate fee requires the patient to be seen in person, describe what the consultation involves, and offer to schedule. Team members need scripted language for handling the brusque caller who pushes for a number. Sending an info packet that includes general fee ranges, separate from a specific quote, addresses transparency without pricing in the dark.
If the answers you are finding here resonate with you, my team and I work with a small group of clients each year. The next step is a complimentary Discovery Consultation and Practice Review with Dr. McAnally.
