When a person comes to the dentist, the dentist makes a plan to fix any problems with their teeth. This is called a dental treatment plan.

Every person is different, so each plan is made to fit their needs. But what exactly dental treatment plan phases and examples are? Let’s look at the basics.

What Is a Dental Treatment Plan?

It is like a step-by-step guide to help someone take care of their teeth. It shows:

  • What problems does the person have
  • What the dentist will do to fix them
  • What the final goal is (like a healthy mouth or a better smile)

The dentist writes this plan down. It’s shared with the patient and kept in their file for future visits.

For regular patients, it’s easier because the dentist already knows their history. Some plans are short (like fixing a broken tooth), and some take longer (like straightening teeth).

If you’re not sure how to make a plan that’s easy to understand, here is a downloadable dental treatment plan PDF for you.

Dental Treatment Plan Template PDF

You can also  buy ready ready-made dental treatment plan template from Etsy

Dental Treatment Plan Phases & Sequence

A good treatment plan has a few steps. Each one helps the patient move closer to better oral health.

Here are the main phases:

1. Evaluation Phase

The dentist checks the patient’s teeth and gums. They also ask about health history and any pain or concerns.

2. Acute (Urgent) Care Phase

If there is a serious problem, like an infection or a cracked tooth, the dentist will fix it right away.

3. Control Phase

If the patient has an issue like gum disease, it must be treated first. You can’t fix teeth properly if the gums are still unhealthy.

4. Re-check (Re-evaluation) Phase

After treatment, the dentist checks again to see if things are improving and no new problems have come up.

5. Definitive Treatment Phase

This is the main part of the plan. It includes things like filling teeth, fixing gaps, or straightening teeth.

6. Maintenance Phase

The last step is to keep everything healthy. The patient comes for regular checkups, and the dentist makes sure things stay on track.

Common Types of Treatments Included in Dental Plans

Every patient is different, so each treatment plan is special. But many plans include things like:

  • Fillings
  • Crowns (to cover weak teeth)
  • Dentures (false teeth)
  • Braces
  • Tooth removal
  • Repairs and replacements
  • Gum treatment
  • Jaw alignment
  • Bite correction

Dentists should always explain the plan clearly and ask if the patient has questions. People can feel nervous about dental work, so it is important to make them feel comfortable.

Help Patients Take Care of Their Teeth at Home

A dental plan doesn’t stop at the clinic. Most of the time, keeping teeth healthy happens at home.

Here are some simple tips to share with your patients:

  • Brush twice a day, especially after eating
  • Use fluoride toothpaste
  • Get a new toothbrush every 2–3 months
  • Floss once a day
  • Use a mouthwash if needed
  • Stay away from too much sugar
  • Don’t smoke or chew tobacco
  • Eat healthy foods like fruits and vegetables

Financial Arrangement and Dental Treatment Planning

Financial Arrangement and Dental Treatment Planning

Sometimes, patients may need multiple root canals, extractions, implants, or other major work even during a first visit. These cases may involve many appointments or different specialists.

For new clinics or practices without a treatment coordinator, it’s still possible to handle treatment and finances smoothly by keeping the process simple and using ready-made templates.

Treatment and Financial Presentation Tips

  • Avoid presenting the full treatment and payment details all at once.
  • Instead, discuss the clinical needs, explain what will happen at the next visit, and only share the cost for the next step.
  • Use the time between visits to create a custom treatment plan and financial breakdown.
  • Make sure the plan looks simple and clear — not just a printout of dental codes.

Patients usually appreciate a customized document with clear steps more than a list of procedures with prices. At the follow-up visit, explain the full plan and answer questions.

Best Practices for Treatment Plan Printouts

  • Keep it short: Use only one page for the treatment plan. If needed, use a second page for the payment schedule.
  • Use easy terms: Instead of listing tooth numbers (e.g., #14), write locations (e.g., “upper left molar”).
  • Show steps clearly: List what will be done during each visit and what the patient should expect.
  • Mention time gaps: For example, explain that implant crowns may be placed 3–4 months after surgery.
  • Review in person: Always explain the printed plan directly. Do not just hand it to the patient and expect them to understand.

Example 1: Fee-for-Service Patient

A patient needs several extractions and implants. If the patient is only concerned about upper teeth, divide the treatment into phases.

Phase 1: Focus on the urgent or high-priority areas.
Phase 2 and onward: Plan long-term restorations or preventive care.

Use a clean, one-page printout that:

  • Lists the area of treatment (e.g., “Upper right molars”)
  • Explains what will happen in each phase
  • Shows expected healing times and follow-up needs
  • Clearly explains what the next visit will include and what the payment is for that step

Example 2: Patient with Maxed-Out Insurance

For a patient whose dental insurance is already maxed out:

  • List both regular fees and insurance-adjusted fees (cross out the regular ones).
  • Clearly show what parts of the treatment will be done now and what parts will wait until the plan renews.
  • Use the plan to explain expected coverage and timing for reimbursement.

Important: Follow all insurance rules in your local state. For in-network providers, the lowest fee must often be used.

Example 3: Patient with Self-Purchased Insurance (Fixed Copays)

For patients with individual dental insurance plans with fixed copays:

  • Use templates that show only the copay amounts instead of full procedure prices.
  • Clearly show what each phase of treatment includes (e.g., Phase I: remove infection, Phase II: protect the teeth).
  • Avoid complicating details unless the patient asks for it.
  • Some patients want full breakdowns, others prefer summaries so be flexible

First Visit vs. Full Plan Discussion

At the first visit:

  • Complete the exam and enter recommended treatment into the chart.
  • Tell the patient what needs to be done first and how much they will need to pay next time.
  • Let them know a full plan will be discussed during the next visit.

This helps avoid confusion or pressure and allows time to prepare a clear, customized plan.

How to Organize Dental Treatment Plan Templates

How to Organize Dental Treatment Plan Templates

To save time, organize treatment plan templates by patient type or case complexity.

You can save templates :

  • On clinic workstations
  • On cloud platforms (Google Drive, Dropbox, Box)

Suggested folder structure:

Dental Clinic Name → Systems → Treatment Plan Templates → 

    â†’ Fee-for-Service

    â†’ Insurance-Based

    â†’ Copay Plans

    â†’ Custom Plans

You can then quickly copy, edit, and print for any patient case.

FAQs

It’s a step-by-step plan the dentist makes to fix problems in your mouth and keep your teeth healthy.

A basic dental plan usually covers checkups, cleanings, fillings, and simple tooth repairs.

First, check the teeth. Then write what needs to be done, in what order, and how many visits it will take.

 Fee-for-service (you pay the full amount)
Insurance-based (insurance pays part)
Copay plans (you pay fixed small fees for each service)

Summary

Clear dental treatment plan and financial communication help patients feel confident and ready to start care. To make this process easier:

  • Break complex cases into simple steps
  • Use easy-to-read documents
  • Focus only on the next step during the first visit
  • Use ready-made templates to save time

This system builds trust, avoids surprises, and improves case acceptance in any dental practice.

Moreover, you can use our dental marketing plan template to grow your practice, which we have compiled exclusively for dentists