Membership renewals are predictable: same amount, same schedule, automatic processing. But dental practices also need to collect for treatment plans, one-time services, and balances that don’t fit neatly into a subscription model.
The Payment Request System brings flexible invoicing capabilities to Smile Advantage, letting you create detailed payment requests that patients can pay through secure online links.
Beyond Simple Payment Collection
Payment requests aren’t just “send amount, collect payment.” They’re full invoices with the detail patients expect from professional billing:
Line-Item Detail
Each payment request can include multiple line items with:
- Service descriptions
- Dental procedure codes (CDT codes)
- Individual quantities and amounts
- Per-item taxation when applicable
Patients see exactly what they’re paying for, reducing confusion and payment disputes.
Automatic Calculations
Add your line items and the system handles the math:
- Subtotals calculated automatically
- Tax applied per item or overall
- Running totals update as you add items
- Final amount clearly displayed
Professional Presentation
Payment requests generate clean, professional invoices that reflect well on your practice. Patients receive branded communications with clear itemization, not confusing spreadsheets or handwritten notes.
Secure Payment Links
Every payment request generates a unique, secure payment URL. Patients click the link to access a payment portal where they can:
- Review the itemized charges
- See their total amount due
- Enter payment information
- Complete the transaction securely
No login required. No app to download. Just click, review, and pay.
Token-Based Security
Payment links use secure, single-use tokens that:
- Can’t be guessed or fabricated
- Expire after payment completion
- Don’t expose sensitive information in the URL
- Work on any device with a web browser
Complete Audit Trail
From creation to payment, every step is tracked:
Request creation: Who created it, when, and what was included
Notifications sent: When emails or SMS were delivered
Patient access: When the payment link was opened
Payment completion: Transaction details, payment method, and confirmation
This documentation protects your practice and provides clear records for any patient questions.
Integration With Existing Workflows
Payment requests work alongside your existing Smile Advantage features:
Member Linking
Create payment requests for existing members and the transaction links to their complete history. You can see all their membership payments and one-time charges in one place.
PMS Integration
For practices with PMS integration, completed payments can post to the patient ledger automatically, keeping your systems in sync.
Gateway Support
Payment requests process through your existing payment gateway configuration. Same processor, same rates, same payout schedule. Just more flexibility in what you can bill.
Account Ledger View
Patients can access their complete payment history through a secure account ledger. This self-service view shows:
- Outstanding payment requests
- Previous payments and their status
- Downloadable receipts
- Transaction dates and amounts
Fewer “what do I owe?” phone calls for your front desk.
Use Cases
Payment requests handle scenarios that don’t fit the membership model:
Treatment plans: Bill for completed procedures with full itemization
Balance collection: Request payment for outstanding amounts
Non-member services: Collect from patients who aren’t membership participants
Deposits: Collect advance payments for scheduled treatment
Custom charges: Bill for anything not covered by standard membership plans
Creating Payment Requests
The creation workflow is straightforward:
- Select the patient or member
- Add line items with descriptions and amounts
- Apply tax if applicable
- Review the total
- Send via email, SMS, or both
Patients receive the payment request immediately and can pay on their own schedule.
What’s Next
The payment request system establishes foundation infrastructure for future capabilities:
- Payment plans: Split large balances into scheduled payments
- Recurring invoices: Automate regular non-membership charges
- Advanced reporting: Analyze payment request performance
We’re building toward comprehensive billing flexibility while keeping the simplicity that makes Smile Advantage easy to use.