When a dental claim is denied, many practices see it as just another administrative hassle. But the reality is that claim denials cost practices much more than they realize. From wasted staff hours to lost revenue and frustrated patients, denials drain valuable resources that could otherwise support growth.
In this post, we’ll break down the true cost of denials, why they happen, and how your practice can prevent them in 2025 and beyond.
The Real Cost of Dental Claim Denials
Lost Revenue
Every denied claim represents money your practice has already earned but may never collect. Even if the claim is eventually approved, the delay disrupts cash flow.Increased Administrative Burden
Denials aren’t just numbers on a report. Each denial requires staff time to research, correct, and resubmit. Studies show that it costs practices 3–5x more to rework a denied claim compared to getting it right the first time.Longer A/R Days
Denials push claims into aging buckets, making it harder to recover payments. A claim that lingers past 90 days has a drastically reduced chance of being collected.Patient Frustration
Denials often mean patients are unexpectedly billed or must wait longer for insurance coverage. This creates confusion, reduces trust, and can damage your reputation.
5 Proven Ways to Reduce Claim Denials
Verify Insurance Before Treatment
Upfront verification prevents eligibility and coverage-related denials.Train Staff on CDT Code Updates
Annual code changes mean your team must stay updated to avoid coding errors.Submit Clean Claims
Double-check demographic info, attach required documentation, and review claims before submission.Track Denial Trends
Use reporting to identify the top denial reasons in your practice and fix them at the source.Consider Expert Support
Outsourcing billing to specialists reduces denials dramatically while freeing your team to focus on patient care.
How CoDent Helps Prevent Denials
At CoDent Healthcare Solutions, we help dental practices achieve a 98% first-pass clean claim rate. Our team uses:
Automated eligibility checks
Up-to-date coding knowledge
Proactive denial management
This ensures faster collections, healthier A/R, and stronger patient relationships.