How do I handle a patient who genuinely cannot afford major dental treatment?
Stop pretending everyone can afford ideal care. They can’t. Major implant work costs real money, and a portion of the people walking into your free consultations will never be in a position to pay for it. That is not a moral failing on their part or yours. It just is. What you owe that person is to protect their time, protect their emotional investment, and protect them from embarrassment. Spot it early, be kind, and give them a courtesy referral to a practice or option that fits. I once spent far too long discussing a case with a woman for whom it was never realistic, and that was my mistake, not hers. Being ready for this person is part of being a professional, not a sign you failed to close.
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.