Introduction
A dazzling smile is a huge confidence booster, but achieving it can sometimes come with a hefty price tag. Whether you need routine dental work, orthodontics, or cosmetic procedures, the cost of dental care can be a barrier for many. Insurance often covers only a fraction of the cost, leaving patients to foot the bill for the rest.
This is where dental financing solutions come in. Among the many options available, Cherry has emerged as a popular choice for patients looking for flexible, patient-friendly payment plans. Cherry allows you to break down large dental bills into manageable monthly payments, making it easier to say yes to the treatment you need.
In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about Cherry dental financing—how it works, its benefits, and whether it’s the right choice for your dental care journey.
What is Cherry Dental Financing?
Cherry is a financial technology company that offers “Buy Now, Pay Later” (BNPL) services specifically designed for medical and aesthetic practices, including dentistry. Unlike traditional credit cards or medical loans that might require hard credit checks and lengthy approval processes, Cherry focuses on simplicity and accessibility.
The platform partners with dental practices to offer patients payment plans that split the cost of treatment into smaller, monthly installments. This approach helps patients manage their budget without delaying necessary or desired dental procedures.
How Does Cherry Work?
The process of using Cherry is designed to be quick and painless—much less scary than a root canal! Here is a step-by-step look at how it generally works:
- Application: You can apply for Cherry Dental Financing directly at your dentist’s office or beforehand through a link provided by the practice. The application is entirely digital and typically takes less than 60 seconds to complete.
- Soft Credit Check: One of the biggest advantages of Cherry is that it performs a “soft” credit check. This means applying won’t impact your credit score. You enter a few personal details, and the system determines your eligibility almost instantly.
- Approval and Offer: If approved, you will be shown exactly how much you are qualified to borrow. You’ll then see different payment plan options, ranging from 3 to 24 months (or sometimes longer depending on the practice). Some plans may even offer 0% APR financing if you qualify.
- Select Your Plan: You choose the payment schedule that works best for your budget. Once you confirm, Cherry pays the dental practice directly for your treatment.
- Repayment: You make your monthly payments to Cherry through their online portal or mobile app.
The Benefits of Choosing Cherry for Dental Work
Why are so many patients and dentists turning to Cherry? Here are several key advantages that make it a standout option for financing oral health care.
No Impact on Credit Score to Apply
Fear of a credit score drop often stops people from applying for financing. Because Cherry uses a soft credit check for the initial application, you can see if you qualify and what your terms would be without any risk to your credit score.
High Approval Rates
Cherry’s proprietary algorithm looks at more than just your FICO score. This often results in higher approval rates compared to traditional medical credit cards, making financing accessible to a broader range of patients.
Flexible Payment Terms
Whether you need a short-term plan to pay off a cavity filling or a longer-term plan for Invisalign or veneers, Cherry offers flexibility. You can choose repayment terms that align with your paycheck and financial situation.
0% APR Options
Qualified patients may be eligible for 0% APR plans. This is a massive benefit, as it means you can spread out the cost of your treatment without paying a cent in interest, provided you make your payments on time.
Instant Decisions
Dental emergencies don’t wait, and neither should your financing. Cherry provides immediate decisions, allowing you to move forward with treatment right away rather than waiting days for a bank loan approval.
What Can You Use Cherry For?
Cherry Dental Financing isn’t limited to just one type of procedure. You can use it for a wide variety of dental treatments, including:
- General Dentistry: Root canals, crowns, bridges, and fillings.
- Cosmetic Dentistry: Veneers, professional teeth whitening, and smile makeovers.
- Orthodontics: Braces, clear aligners (like Invisalign), and retainers.
- Periodontics: Gum grafts and laser gum surgery.
- Implants: Dental implants and dentures.
Basically, if your dentist accepts Cherry, you can likely use it for almost any service they provide.
Cherry vs. Traditional Medical Credit Cards
You might be familiar with other medical financing options like CareCredit. While both serve a similar purpose, there are distinct differences.
Traditional medical credit cards act like standard credit cards. They often perform a hard credit inquiry upon application, which can ding your score. If you miss a payment or the promotional period ends, you might be hit with high retroactive interest rates applied to the entire original balance.
Cherry operates more like an installment loan. The terms are fixed, meaning you know exactly what you will pay each month and when you will be finished. There are no hidden fees or surprise interest hikes if you stick to the agreed-upon schedule. This transparency is a major selling point for patients who want predictability in their finances.
Taking the Next Step Toward Your Perfect Smile
Financial constraints shouldn’t force you to compromise on your oral health or the appearance of your smile. Solutions like Cherry dental financing bridge the gap between the cost of care and your available budget, offering a modern, transparent, and patient-centric way to pay.
By splitting large costs into bite-sized payments, you can prioritize your health today without the stress of a lump-sum bill. If you have been putting off treatment due to cost, ask your dentist if they accept Cherry—it might just be the solution that gets you back in the chair and smiling with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
To help you decide if Cherry is right for you, we’ve compiled answers to the most common questions about the service.
Does applying for Cherry hurt my credit score?
No. Applying for Cherry involves a soft credit check, which does not affect your credit score. However, once you accept a loan and start making payments, Cherry may report your repayment activity to credit bureaus, which can help build your credit if you pay on time.
How much can I borrow with Cherry?
Approval amounts vary based on your financial profile and the specific dental practice’s limits. Generally, patients can be approved for amounts ranging from a few hundred dollars up to several thousand dollars to cover significant procedures.
Is there a down payment required?
In many cases, yes. Cherry typically requires a down payment at the time of purchase. This amount is deducted from your total loan balance. The remaining balance is what is split into your monthly payments.
Can I pay off my Cherry loan early?
Absolutely. Cherry does not charge prepayment penalties. If you want to pay off your balance ahead of schedule to save on potential interest or just to be debt-free sooner, you are free to do so.
What happens if I miss a payment?
If you miss a payment, you may incur late fees, and it could negatively impact your credit score if the delinquency is reported. It is crucial to set up autopay or ensure you manually make payments on time.
Do all dentists accept Cherry?
Not every dental office partners with Cherry. You will need to ask your dental provider specifically if they offer Cherry Dental Financing. If they don’t, you might be able to suggest it to them, or look for another provider in your area who does.
