Can Cherry Help You Get Dental Financing With Bad Credit?
The short answer is yes. Cherry Financing was built to make dental care accessible — even if your credit score isn't perfect. Here's exactly how it works at Best Dental.
If you've been told you can't afford dental care because of a low credit score, Cherry Financing tells a different story. At Best Dental in Houston, we partner with Cherry specifically because their approval process looks beyond traditional credit barriers — so more patients can say yes to the care they need.
What Is Cherry Financing?
Cherry is a point-of-sale financing company designed to make healthcare — especially dental care — accessible to everyone. Instead of requiring perfect credit or a lengthy bank application, Cherry lets you apply in minutes through a simple mobile app. Once approved, you split your treatment cost into equal monthly payments and start care the same day.
At Best Dental, we've partnered with Cherry because it fills a gap that traditional financing options can't. Many patients who get turned down by healthcare credit cards find that Cherry's approval process works for them — because Cherry evaluates more than just a credit score.
Does Cherry Work With Bad Credit?
Yes — and this is one of the biggest reasons patients choose Cherry at Best Dental. Cherry's minimum credit score requirement is just 520, which is significantly lower than what most traditional dental financing options require. That puts it well within reach for patients who have struggled with credit in the past.
Why 520 Is a Game-Changer
Most healthcare credit cards and dental loan programs set their minimum somewhere between 640 and 700. A score of 520 falls into what's typically called the "fair" or "poor" range — meaning millions of Americans who would be rejected elsewhere can qualify with Cherry. At Best Dental, we've seen patients with credit scores well below 600 get approved and start treatment the same week.
It's a Soft Credit Check — Not a Hard One
Here's the part that matters most: Cherry only runs a soft credit check. That means applying for Cherry financing will never lower your credit score — not even by one point. A soft check verifies your identity and helps Cherry determine your approval amount, but it doesn't show up on your credit report the way a hard inquiry does. You can apply with zero risk to your financial standing.
Beyond the Credit Score
Cherry's approval process considers factors beyond just your credit score. This means that even if your number isn't high, other parts of your financial picture can work in your favor. It's one of the reasons Cherry consistently delivers higher approval rates than the traditional dental financing options patients are used to encountering.
How Cherry Approval Actually Works
The process at Best Dental is designed to be fast, simple, and stress-free. Here's exactly what happens from start to finish:
1
Come In for Your Free Consultation
Book online or call (281) 762-0637. Our team evaluates your oral health and puts together a treatment plan with transparent pricing — no pressure, no guessing.
2
Receive Your Cherry Pre-Qualification Link
We send you a link via text message. All you need is your state ID, a social security number, and a bank-issued debit card. That's it.
3
Complete the Short Application
The application takes just a few minutes. Cherry runs a soft credit check — your score won't be affected — and determines how much you qualify for.
4
Pick Your Payment Plan
Choose a term that fits your budget — from as short as 3 months to as long as 60 months. Some plans qualify for a true 0% APR, meaning zero interest charges.
5
Start Treatment the Same Day
A small down payment finalizes your plan — usually equal to one monthly payment. After that, you're approved, and we can begin your dental care right away.
Cherry vs. Other Financing Options
Not all dental financing is created equal — especially when it comes to patients with lower credit scores. Here's how Cherry stacks up against the other options Best Dental offers:
Best for Bad Credit
Cherry
520+ min. score
Soft check only. Highest approval rates. Plans from 3–60 months. Qualifying 0% APR available.
CareCredit
640+ min. score
Reusable account. Great for repeat visits. May be harder to qualify with a lower score.
Lending Club
640+ min. score
Best for large treatments ($1,500–$50K). Competitive long-term rates, but stricter credit requirements.
If your credit score is below 640, Cherry is almost always your strongest path to approval at Best Dental. And if you do qualify with one of our other partners as well, we'll walk you through all your options so you can pick the one that makes the most sense for your budget.
What Cherry Financing Covers at Best Dental
There's no restriction on procedure type when you finance through Cherry. Whether it's a routine cleaning or a full-mouth restoration, the same approval applies. Here are some of the most commonly financed treatments:
Preventive & Restorative Care
Deep cleanings, fillings, crowns, and bridges are among the most common procedures patients finance with Cherry. These are often the treatments that can't wait — and Cherry makes sure they don't have to.
Implants & Major Work
Dental implants are one of the bigger investments in oral health. Cherry can finance these treatments with payment plans stretching up to 60 months, so the monthly cost stays manageable even for higher-cost procedures.
Cosmetic Treatments
Teeth whitening, veneers, and bonding are all eligible for Cherry financing. If you've been putting off a cosmetic upgrade because of cost — or because you assumed financing wasn't an option with your credit — Cherry changes that equation.
Emergency & Urgent Dental Work
A dental emergency doesn't wait for the perfect financial moment. Best Dental offers same-day emergency appointments, and Cherry financing can be set up quickly enough to cover urgent treatment costs without a massive upfront payment.
Tips for Getting Approved With a Lower Score
While Cherry's 520 minimum already opens the door for a lot of patients, a few small steps can put you in the strongest possible position when you apply:
Know Your Credit Score Before You Apply
Check your score ahead of time through a free service like Credit Karma or your bank's app. Knowing where you stand removes the guesswork and helps you understand what plans you're most likely to qualify for.
Have Your Documents Ready
Cherry's application is fast — but it does require a valid state ID, your social security number, and a bank-issued debit or credit card. Having these handy means your application goes through without any delays.
Consider a Down Payment
Cherry requires a down payment to finalize your plan — it's usually the same as one monthly payment. Having that amount set aside ahead of time keeps the process moving smoothly from approval straight to treatment.
Combine Cherry With Your Insurance
If you have dental insurance, let our team verify your benefits first. Coordinating insurance coverage before applying through Cherry means you're only financing what insurance doesn't cover — which lowers the amount you need approved and makes the monthly payments even more manageable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cherry's minimum credit score is 520. That's significantly lower than most dental financing options, which typically require 640 or above. If your score is at or above 520, you're eligible to apply.
No. Cherry only performs a soft credit check, which does not affect your credit score at all. It won't show up as an inquiry on your credit report. You can apply with complete peace of mind.
Most patients complete the application in just a few minutes. You'll need your state ID, social security number, and a bank-issued debit card. Our team at Best Dental will walk you through every step if you need help.
Cherry offers plans ranging from 3 months up to 60 months. Some shorter plans qualify for a true 0% APR — meaning you pay exactly what the treatment costs, split into equal monthly payments with no interest added.
Yes, Cherry requires a down payment to finalize your payment plan. It's typically equal to one monthly payment amount. After that, you're all set to begin treatment and make the remaining payments on your schedule.
Yes. There are no restrictions on procedure type. Whether it's a routine cleaning, a filling, an implant, or cosmetic work — Cherry financing at Best Dental covers it all.
Absolutely. Best Dental also works with CareCredit and Lending Club, and our team can help you explore in-house payment options as well. No one leaves Best Dental without a path forward — we'll find a solution that works for you.
Ready to See If You Qualify?
Come in for a free consultation at Best Dental and let us walk you through Cherry financing — no commitment, no pressure, no impact on your credit.
