Many dentists running thriving practices believe that a packed calendar and solid revenue mean everything is running smoothly. After all, if the chairs are full and the bills are paid, what could be wrong?
Quite a lot, actually.
What often gets overlooked is the business of dentistry. A busy schedule does not guarantee a healthy practice. In fact, it can mask inefficiencies that are quietly costing you time, money, and growth. At the peak of your career—when things appear to be going best—is precisely when a comprehensive practice assessment is most valuable.
Ask yourself:
- How many active patients do you have?
- What is your hygiene department billing annually?
- What are you paying your Associates?
- How many new patients are you seeing each month?
- What is your hygiene recall rate?
If you are unsure about these numbers, you are not alone—but that lack of clarity is most definitely costing you.
Without regular assessments, you are operating on assumptions. You may be overstaffed or under-collecting. Your recall system may be broken. Your expenses could be creeping up while productivity remains flat. None of this is obvious when the office feels busy.
A practice assessment is not about identifying failure—it is about uncovering hidden opportunities. It is about turning good into great. It is about making sure the practice is not just supporting your lifestyle today, but positioned to sustain value for years to come, whether you plan to expand, bring in an associate, or eventually sell.
You may be an exceptional clinician, but running a practice requires more than clinical expertise—it demands business insight. Start by assessing where your practice really stands.