Running a successful, lucrative practice is the goal of every dental professional. To do this, you must keep your patients happy and maintain your business’s finances responsibly. Sadly, affording upgrades is costly, and often requires additional financing. That’s why many dental practice owners apply for small business loans to help them increase their cash flow.

In this post, we’ll review popular business financing options for dentists. Then, we’ll explore six ways that you can utilize a business loan to advance your dental practice.

4 Business Financing Options for Dentists:

All business owners are different, so it’s important to research numerous financing options. By doing this, you can apply for one that best fits your practice’s needs.

• Bank Loans: Most banks offer business loans, but they can be difficult to qualify for. If you have a low credit score or own a new business, it’s unlikely that you’ll be approved. If you’re interested in this type of financing, we suggest contacting the bank first to learn about the prerequisites. That way, you can pursue other options if it’s evident you won’t qualify.
• Loans from Alternative Lenders: If you’re interested in pursuing a business loan, you should research alternative lenders. Many lenders work with business owners to provide them with long- or short-term financing, depending on the applicant’s needs.
• SBA Loans: If you’ve pursued other loan options but haven’t gotten approved, you may qualify for an SBA loan. The SBA provides financing to businesses that haven’t been able to get financing elsewhere. Typically, these loans come with low interest rates and affordable monthly payments.
• Credit Cards: To afford business costs, some dental practice owners use business credit cards. Of course, it’s crucial that you pay off your balance on-time and ensure that you aren’t over-using your card.

How Your Dental Practice Can Utilize a Loan:

1. Hire Additional Employees

Your patients’ time is important to them. Many patients take time off from work to attend appointments, and they should be seen on time.

If your customer base has increased, your staff may struggle to serve patients quickly and efficiently. Due to this, you should consider hiring additional personnel. A business loan could be the solution to your staffing shortage!

Once you receive a loan, you can hire more dental assistants or receptionists, depending on what your practice’s needs are. Just think about how much more effective your practice could be with a few more employees!

2. Utilize Digital Marketing

Do you want to use your business loan to expand your customer base? Increase your online presence!

According to a recent article by Junto, 81 percent of consumers in the U.S. perform online research before making a purchase. This statistic supports the notion that not being on the Internet is no longer an option. In 2019, being on the Internet is a requirement.

Consider using your business loan to hire a digital marketing professional or recruit an agency to manage your digital strategy. Or, you could run your own digital marketing campaigns; however, you’ll need some basic knowledge of digital marketing tactics. If you choose to run your own campaigns, use your business loan to launch campaigns on Google, Bing, and Facebook. In today’s fast-paced world, you simply cannot afford to opt out of digital marketing!

3. Purchase New Equipment

Dental equipment isn’t cheap, but it’s imperative to performing your services, and giving your patients the best possible care. If your equipment is broken or outdated, a business loan could help you invest in new replacements.

4. Start an Expansion Project

Is your business location too small? Or does your office look old and outdated? If you answered yes to these questions, consider putting your business loan towards an expansion project. With a larger practice, or another business location, you can have ample space to grow your business.

Using your term loan, you can purchase real estate, or use it to expand your existing location. This can be challenging to

5. Acquire Another Dental Practice

Do you want to purchase an existing dentist practice? Using your loan, you can acquire another practice, and in-turn prepare your business for the future.

Once the acquisition is complete, you’ll likely inherit more patients. Due to this, you could use your loan to hire more staff members, expand your office space, or order additional inventory. Having a dentist business loan will help you accommodate your new patients and ensure a seamless transition.

6. Invest in New Technology

A great way to utilize additional working capital is to invest in technology that will make your operations more efficient. For example, you could use a business loan to:

• Upgrade your computer system: Having a new computer system can help your admin team work more efficiently. For example, you can invest in a new scheduling system or transfer your charts from paper to digital files.
• Purchase tablets: Instead of having patients complete paper forms, purchase tablets so that they can submit paperwork digitally. This will make the sign-in process move faster.
• Invest in a user-friendly website: It could include a chat function, scheduling assistant, and patient management tools.
• Hire a mobile developer: Recruit someone who can create a user-friendly app for your patients. This app can use to book appointments, pay outstanding bills, and learn about your practice’s services.

Conclusion: Use Dental Practice Financing to Fit Your Needs

Now that you’ve learned about business loans for dental practices, it’s time to consider how your business can improve. Every practice is different, and you should determine what your pain points are before applying for financing. Loans for dentists make it easier to afford necessary costs and upgrades, which in-the dental industry?

At Baceline Capital, we specialize in creative funding solutions to healthcare companies needing a flexible and responsive financial partner. Our goal is to work with you to ensure our funding solutions are value added and enhance your business. To see what your business can qualify for apply today and one of our funding specialist will contact you shortly.