Real Talk: If You’re Losing More Patients Than You’re Keeping, You’re Bleeding Money
You don’t have to be a marketing genius to know this:
“It costs WAY more to get a new patient than it does to keep one.”
Yet here we are — running “$49 new patient specials” while last week’s patient ghosts us after their cleaning.
Not only is that exhausting, it’s expensive.
You’re burning money on Google Ads, direct mail, and those weird TikTok dances Becky from front desk swears will go viral…
Meanwhile, your existing patients are quietly peacing out the back door.
“If your practice is a leaky bucket, more water (aka new patients) won’t fix it. You need to plug the damn holes.”
— Jordon Comstock, BoomCloud™ Founder & Recurring Revenue Evangelist
Let’s fix it.
What Is Patient Retention, Really?
Patient retention = how many patients stay active with your practice over time.
It’s not how many people walk through the door — it’s how many keep walking BACK through the door.
Here’s why it matters:
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Retained patients spend more
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Retained patients trust you more
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Retained patients accept more treatment
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Retained patients refer friends
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Retained patients don’t price shop or bounce for $10 off elsewhere
In short: retention = revenue.
The Real Cost of Poor Retention
Let’s say you bring in 50 new patients a month.
But if you’re losing 60 every month to insurance, forgetfulness, or lack of follow-up?
You’re not growing. You’re just treadmilling.
Here’s the math most practices ignore:
| Metric | Good Practice | Weak Practice |
|---|---|---|
| Retention Rate | 80–90% | 40–60% |
| Treatment Acceptance | 60–70% | 30–40% |
| Annual Revenue Per Patient | $1,200–$2,000+ | $400–$600 |
| Referral Rate | 1–2 per year | Maybe 1 ever |
If you’re not focused on patient retention, you’re leaving six figures on the table. Every. Year.
So… What’s the Secret to Patient Retention?
One word: Membership.
“Membership patients are loyal, consistent, predictable, and profitable. You want more of them — and fewer insurance zombies.”
— Me again (Jordon Comstock)
Membership plans give patients:
✅ Predictability
✅ Simplicity
✅ Discounts
✅ Priority access
✅ A REASON to come back
And they give YOU:
✅ Monthly recurring revenue (MRR)
✅ Higher treatment acceptance
✅ Fewer no-shows
✅ Patients who aren’t tied to insurance BS
Loyalty Isn’t Built With Coupons — It’s Built With Value
Dr. Alex from Michigan was bleeding patients.
She was running new patient promos monthly — “$99 Exam + X-Rays!” — but those folks never came back.
Then she launched a BoomCloud™ membership plan:
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$45/month
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Includes 2 cleanings, exams, x-rays, and 15% off treatment
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Free whitening pen on sign-up
Her team offered it to every patient who didn’t have insurance — and some who did.
In 9 months:
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312 active members
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$14,040 MRR
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$168,480 ARR
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Retention jumped 43%
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Treatment acceptance soared 63%
Best part? She dropped 3 PPO contracts and never looked back.
✅ 7 Proven Strategies to Skyrocket Patient Retention (Jordon Comstock Approved)
1. Launch a Membership Plan
No shocker here.
Membership plans are hands-down the best way to keep patients loyal, engaged, and active.
Think of it as Amazon Prime for teeth.
BoomCloud™ gives you the full system — customizable plans, billing automation, analytics, and marketing tools.
Want patients to show up every 6 months (or every month)?
Give them a reason to commit.
2. Automate Your Follow-Up Like a Pro
“Hope” is not a follow-up strategy.
If your post-treatment plan is just a reminder card in the mail, you’re losing.
Use automation to:
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Send text/email 3 months after a visit
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Check in about unscheduled treatment
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Offer members-exclusive perks
BoomCloud™ integrates with your CRM to make this seamless.
3. Train Your Team to Pitch Loyalty (Not Just Service)
Your front desk should sell the membership plan like it’s the secret to life. Because it kind of is.
Scripts like:
“Did you know most of our patients are on our Smile Plan? It covers your cleanings and gives you a discount on everything else. Want me to show you the savings?”
Boom. Easy yes.
4. Make Every Visit a 5-Star Experience
Patient retention isn’t just about numbers — it’s about how people feel.
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Run on time
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Smile
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Use names
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Give away little gifts
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Ask about their family
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Hand out a custom toothbrush with your logo on it
People remember how you made them feel.
5. Offer Referral Incentives
Loyal patients love to refer. You just need to ask.
Try:
“Refer a friend, and we’ll credit your account $25 — or give you a free whitening session.”
Make it fun. Track it. Thank them publicly.
BoomCloud™ can track this inside your membership dashboard.
6. Showcase Results
Patients are more likely to return when they see progress.
Show them:
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Before/after photos
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Charts of gum health
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Whitening improvements
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Testimonials from other members
Make it visual. Make it real.
7. Review, Retarget, Re-engage
Every practice should have:
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50+ Google reviews
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Regular emails to inactive patients
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Monthly content that adds value (“5 Ways to Keep Your Smile Healthy This Summer”)
If they haven’t been in for 6+ months, send an offer.
“We miss your smile! Rejoin our Smile Plan today and get your first month free.”
What’s MRR and ARR Got to Do With It?
MRR = Monthly Recurring Revenue
ARR = Annual Recurring Revenue
If you want predictable growth, these are your best friends.
Let’s run the numbers:
| Members | Fee | MRR | ARR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | $39 | $3,900 | $46,800 |
| 250 | $45 | $11,250 | $135,000 |
| 500 | $49 | $24,500 | $294,000 |
That’s money that shows up before you do a single filling.
And the higher your retention rate, the lower your churn, and the more this money stacks every month.
BoomCloud™ Makes This Crazy Simple
Here’s what you get with BoomCloud™:
✅ Branded, custom membership plans
✅ Automated billing and renewals
✅ Analytics dashboard for tracking MRR, ARR, churn
✅ Marketing tools, emails, flyers, promo materials
✅ Integration with your practice management software
It’s not “another software.”
It’s your recurring revenue system.
Final Word: Want Loyal Patients? Give Them Something to Join.
You don’t have to burn out chasing new patients every month.
You don’t have to ride the PPO rollercoaster forever.
You can build a loyalty-first, membership-driven dental practice that’s profitable, predictable, and patient-loved.
“The best way to keep patients? Give them a reason to stay — and a plan they’re proud to be part of.”
– Jordon Comstock
Let’s build it.
Tools to Boost Your Patient Retention
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BoomCloud™ – your all-in-one membership platform
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Yoast SEO – for content that ranks and drives leads
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Capterra – reviews and comparisons
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Dental Economics: Membership ROI – case studies and insights
Ready to Turn Retention into Recurring Revenue?
Schedule your BoomCloud™ demo
Build a plan your patients love
Scale your MRR, boost ARR, and finally sleep at night knowing your revenue is predictable
Let’s do this.
