HOSA Dental Terminology Practice 2026 - Free Dental Terminology Practice Questions and Study Guide

Capitation in dental terms refers to a payment model where dental providers receive a predetermined amount of money for each patient enrolled in a specific plan, regardless of the number of services those patients might use within a designated time frame. This concept is built on a per-capita basis, meaning that the payment is made for each individual patient covered under the program. This approach encourages providers to focus on preventive care and managing overall patient health efficiently, rather than on the volume of services rendered.

By using this model, dental practices can streamline their operations and potentially improve patient outcomes since they are incentivized to keep patients healthy rather than performing unnecessary procedures to increase revenue. This method contrasts with fee-for-service systems, where providers are paid for each individual procedure performed, which can sometimes lead to over-treatment.