Key Performance Indicators Every Dentist Should Monitor (And Why They Matter)
In today’s competitive dental landscape, running a successful practice requires more than excellent clinical care—it also demands solid business intelligence. Monitoring the right Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) can help you understand your practice’s health, identify areas for improvement, and make data-driven decisions. Here are the KPIs every dentist should be tracking, and why they matter.
1. Production per Hour / Per Provider
What it is: The amount of revenue generated per hour or per provider (dentist or hygienist).
Why it matters: This KPI reflects efficiency and productivity. It helps assess how well you're utilizing your clinical hours.
Benchmark:
General dentists often average between $350 to $600 per hour (source: ADA and Dental Economics).
Top-producing practices may exceed $700/hour.
2. Collections Ratio
What it is: The percentage of production that is actually collected (Collections ÷ Net Production).
Why it matters: High production doesn’t matter if you’re not collecting the money. A collections rate below 95% suggests billing or insurance inefficiencies.
Benchmark:
Aim for 98% or higher. Anything below 90% is a red flag (source: Practice Booster, Dr. Charles Blair).
3. New Patient Numbers
What it is: The number of new patients per month.
Why it matters: New patients drive growth. If this number is dropping, you may have a marketing or reputation issue.
Benchmark:
A healthy general practice should aim for 20–50 new patients per month, depending on size and capacity (source: Dental Intel, ADA).
4. Case Acceptance Rate
What it is: Percentage of diagnosed treatment that patients schedule and complete.
Why it matters: It reflects patient trust and communication skills. Low acceptance suggests your treatment presentation may need refining.
Benchmark:
The industry average is 50–60%, but well-performing practices aim for 70–90%.
5. Hygiene Reappointment Rate
What it is: The percentage of hygiene patients who schedule their next visit before leaving.
Why it matters: It affects patient retention and steady cash flow. Hygiene is the foundation of long-term care.
Benchmark:
Target 85%+ reappointment (source: Hygiene Mastery and AADOM).
6. Overhead Percentage
What it is: The percentage of revenue spent on operating costs.
Why it matters: High overhead can eat away at your profits. Knowing this helps you manage costs without compromising care.
Benchmark:
Total overhead should be 60–70% of collections.
Staff wages typically account for 25–30%.
7. No-Show and Cancellation Rate
What it is: The percentage of appointments missed or cancelled last minute.
Why it matters: These can create costly gaps in your schedule. Tracking helps you tighten scheduling systems or improve reminder protocols.
Benchmark:
Keep this rate below 5% for optimal efficiency.
8. Active Patient Count
What it is: The number of unique patients seen in the last 12–18 months.
Why it matters: This is a direct reflection of practice size and vitality. A shrinking active patient base can be an early sign of trouble.
Benchmark:
Varies by practice size, but most general practices aim for 1,200–2,000+ active patients.
Final Thoughts
Monitoring these KPIs consistently allows you to:
Set realistic goals
Improve profitability
Identify staffing or scheduling issues early
Enhance patient experience and retention
Tools to Help:
Consider software like Dental Intel, Eaglesoft Reports, Open Dental, or Dentrix Analytics to automate data gathering and visualization.
References:
American Dental Association (ADA)
Dental Economics: "Benchmarking Your Practice Performance"
Dr. Charles Blair, Coding with Confidence
Dental Intel: Practice performance insights
AADOM (American Association of Dental Office Management)
Benjamin Tuinei
Founder - Veritas Dental Resources, LLC
Phone: 888-808-4513
Services:
PPO Fee Negotiators | PPO Fee Negotiating | Insurance Fee Negotiating
Insurance Credentialing | Insurance Verifications
Websites:
www.VeritasDentalResources.com | www.VerusDental.com
