Because Playing It Safe Is So Last Decade
Alright, buckle up, dental warriors! Let’s talk average dental office production—that magical number you either proudly show off in your team meetings or secretly hope no one asks about. Production is the lifeblood of your practice, and if you’re just cruising at “average,” you’re basically saying, “Hey, mediocrity, let’s be BFFs.”
Spoiler alert: You don’t want that.
Let’s dive into the benchmarks, break them down, and—most importantly—learn how to smash them like a piñata at a dental office Cinco de Mayo party.
What Is “Average” Dental Office Production?
Let’s start with the cold, hard facts. The average general dental practice in the U.S. produces around $65,000–$120,000 per month. If you’re in that range, congrats! You’re… well, average. And average is fine—if you’re okay with leaving money on the table and missing opportunities to grow.
But we’re not here to be fine. We’re here to dominate. Let’s talk about how to boost those numbers and become the kind of practice that turns heads (and profits).
Benchmarks to Know (And Crush)
To figure out how your practice stacks up, you need to measure against some key metrics. Here are the big ones:
- Daily Production Per Dentist: The goal is $3,500–$5,000 per day.
- Hygiene Production: Aim for $150 per hygiene hour or more.
- Average Revenue Per Patient (ARPP): Shoot for at least $600–$800 per patient annually.
Falling short? No worries! Below are the strategies to get you from “meh” to “magnificent.”
1. Increase ARPP (Average Revenue Per Patient)
Let’s talk about ARPP for a second because it’s the MVP of dental production metrics. If you’re squeezing out the bare minimum per patient, your bottom line is going to look as thin as floss.
How to Boost ARPP
- Offer High-Value Treatments: Think implants, Invisalign, or whitening subscriptions. These procedures are goldmines compared to cleanings.
- Launch a Membership Plan: Membership patients spend 2.5–5X more than your average PPO patient.
- Upsell Like a Pro: Hygiene visits are the perfect time to educate patients on additional services.
Case Study: A practice using BoomCloud™ grew their membership plan to 933 active members paying $45/month. Their ARPP skyrocketed because these patients were more likely to say “yes” to treatment.
2. Fire Your PPO Plans (Or Negotiate Like a Boss)
Let’s face it—PPO plans are the silent killers of your production. Insurance companies use write-offs like a sledgehammer on your profits, and it’s time to fight back.
Two Routes to Freedom
- Renegotiate Your PPO Contracts: Call up someone like Ben Tuinei from Veritas Dental Resources and start clawing back some of your worth.
- Go Out-of-Network: Launch a patient membership program and say goodbye to PPOs entirely.
Pro Tip: When you replace PPO patients with membership patients, you eliminate red tape and create a consistent revenue stream. It’s like upgrading from dial-up internet to fiber optics—just better all around.
3. Maximize Hygiene Production
Your hygiene department is more than just a pit stop for cleanings. It’s a goldmine waiting to be tapped.
How to Boost Hygiene Numbers
- Pre-schedule Recalls: Don’t let patients leave without their next appointment on the books.
- Upsell Preventive Treatments: Sealants, fluoride, or even a sleep apnea screening can add up.
- Track Your Hygiene KPIs: Know your production per hour and ARPP for hygiene patients.
4. Upgrade Your Marketing Game
You can’t increase production if you don’t have a steady flow of patients coming in. The solution? A killer marketing strategy that attracts the right kind of patients (hint: ones who spend money).
Marketing Moves That Matter
- SEO: Get your website ranking for terms like “best dentist near me.”
- PPC Ads: Target high-value procedures with Google Ads.
- Direct Mail: Yes, it still works—especially for reaching families and retirees.
- Social Media Ads: Showcase patient success stories to build trust.
5. Launch (and Scale) a Patient Membership Plan
If there’s one game-changing move for your practice, it’s starting a membership plan. Why? Because membership patients are loyal, pay consistently, and spend more than your average PPO patient.
BoomCloud™ to the Rescue
Managing a membership plan is a breeze with BoomCloud™. From automatic billing to patient tracking, it’s like having a personal assistant who never takes a day off.
Case Study: A practice scaled their membership plan to 1,563 active members at $40/month.
- Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR): $62,520
- Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR): $750,240
- ARPP: Membership patients spent 3X more than PPO patients.
6. Track Your KPIs Like a Hawk
You can’t improve what you don’t measure. If you’re not tracking your key performance indicators, you’re flying blind.
KPIs to Watch
- Production Per Hour: Are you maximizing chair time?
- Hygiene Production: Is your hygiene team pulling their weight?
- Case Acceptance Rate: Higher acceptance means higher production.
- Churn Rate: Keep an eye on how many patients you’re losing.
The Bottom Line
Average dental office production is a great starting point—but why settle for average when you can dominate your market? By focusing on ARPP, leveraging a membership plan, and using tools like BoomCloud™ to scale, you can turn your practice into a production powerhouse.
So, what’s the plan? Are you ready to crush benchmarks and rule your revenue? Let’s make it happen.
