If you're a dental practice looking to cut overhead, boost cashflow, and modernize your systems, this one’s for you. Credit card processing fees are one of the most overlooked—yet most impactful—line items that drain profit in dental offices. In a recent episode of The Dental A Team Podcast, Kiera Dent sat down with Mark Rasmussen, CEO of Moolah, to unpack how outdated processing systems and membership plan structures might be costing your practice thousands every year.

Here’s what you need to know—and how to fix it.

Credit Card Processing: The Hidden Drain on Profits

Many offices think they’re getting a great rate—until they’re not.

Mark shared that it’s common for offices to start with a "low" rate, only to have hidden fees sneak in over time. Some practices are unknowingly paying up to 8-10% in net effective credit card fees. That’s not just high—it’s borderline outrageous.

Tip: Always check your month-end processing statements. Some companies gradually raise fees and bury the notice in fine print.

How Moolah Solves It

Transparent flat rates (as low as 2.39% and 2.89%)
No contracts, no junk fees
Free terminals + lifetime warranty
Instant savings: One practice saw a noticeable drop in fees the first month they switched

The Membership Plan Advantage—Without the High Fees

If you're considering going out-of-network or want more recurring revenue, membership plans are a smart move. But beware—some management platforms come with high SaaS fees and per-patient costs that chip away at margins.

Moolah now offers built-in membership plan management, allowing practices to:

Create custom plans (monthly or annual)
Auto-bill and auto-post payments to the ledger
Sync plans directly into practice management software (Open Dental, Dentrix, EagleSoft)

“Patients think in monthly fees. Practices that adapt see higher usage and retention.”

Should You Charge Credit Card Processing Fees to Patients?

This was a hot topic at Dental A Team's in-person mastermind—and opinions were split. With inflation and rising labor costs, many practices are now exploring surcharging (passing the fee to the patient).

Moolah offers compliant surcharging, which:

Charges a small fee only if the patient pays with a credit card (not debit)
Prompts the patient to approve the fee or switch payment types
Keeps your net effective rate below 1% on average

Should Your Office Do It?

It’s your call. Patients are increasingly used to it (think gas stations, salons, government websites), and Moolah makes it seamless.

BONUS: More Features That Simplify Practice Life

With Moolah, you also get:

Stored card capability for recurring payments
Automatic membership tracking and billing
Online patient payment links
Self-managing payment plans with 80%+ success rate on failed payments
PMS integration for clean ledger posting

“This is for money you're already collecting—Moolah just helps you keep more of it.”

Stop Overpaying for Credit Card Processing

If your office processes over $70K/month, even a 1-2% savings can add up to tens of thousands annually.

Dental A Team fans receive 10 basis points off standard Moolah rates—forever.
No setup fees, no contracts, and support from a team that actually answers the phone.

Ready to See If You're Overpaying?

👉 Schedule a demo with Moolah HERE

We love nothing more than to make sure your dental practice is truly THRIVING!

Don't forget to check out our podcast for more tips.

How to Eliminate Cashflow Leaks with Credit Card Processing