The standard method of payment for dental services is fee-for-service (FFS). Under this payment method, the patient pays the dentist’s fee either by cash, check, credit or debit card, or establishes a payment plan.

Dentist-patient relationships that are based on fee-for-service payments eliminate third parties, but both the dentist and the patient must be clear in understanding the scope of services to be rendered and at what cost. Often, dentists offer payment plans whenever fees for extensive treatment plans may otherwise discourage a patient from proceeding with the care that is needed.