10 Dental Practice Revenue Strategies
Running a dental practice isn’t just about providing great care—it’s also about making smart business decisions.
Many dentists struggle with revenue growth, due to underpricing, lack of marketing, or not offering high-demand services.
If you’re looking to increase dental practice revenue while maintaining top-notch patient care, these strategies will help you build a stronger, more successful practice.
1. Hire a Practice Consultant or Coach
Running a dental practice involves more than just patient care—scheduling, billing, marketing, staff management, and financial planning. Hiring a consultant can help you identify bottlenecks, optimize workflows, and improve profitability.
A consultant who specializes in case acceptance strategies, insurance negotiations, and team training. A well-structured practice ensures that every patient receives a great experience, leading to higher retention, and referrals can increase revenue.
🔹 Tip: Look for consultants with experience in dental practice management and proven success in increasing case acceptance and patient satisfaction.
2. Raise Fees Strategically
If your fees haven’t changed in a few years, you could be undervaluing your services. Many dental practices set their fees based on historical rates rather than current market trends.
Use resources like the National Dental Advisory Service (NDAS) Fee Report to compare your fees with those in your region.
In Canada, dentists can refer to the Ontario Dental Association (ODA) Suggested Fee Guide or provincial dental fee guides for pricing benchmarks.
Raising fees incrementally ensures that your practice remains competitive while covering rising overhead costs.
🔹 Tip: Inform patients in advance about fee adjustments and highlight the value of the services you provide, such as better technology, improved materials, and a highly trained team.
3. Understand Write-Offs and Their Impact
Insurance write-offs can significantly impact your bottom line. Many practices accept low-reimbursement insurance plans without realizing how much revenue they’re losing.
Track your adjusted production (what you bill vs. what you collect) and assess whether certain insurance contracts are profitable. Dropping unprofitable plans can increase collections without increasing patient volume.
🔹 Tip: Use dental practice management software to analyze insurance reimbursement rates and renegotiate contracts if needed.
4. Outsource to Maximize Efficiency
Time-consuming tasks like insurance billing, digital marketing, and IT support can slow down your team and reduce focus on patient care. Outsourcing these functions allows your staff to concentrate on patient interactions and treatment planning.
For example, dental billing companies handle insurance claims more efficiently, often leading to faster reimbursements and fewer denials. Similarly, professional marketing agencies can run targeted ads that bring in new patients.
🔹 Tip: If your team is overwhelmed with administrative work, consider outsourcing insurance verification, call handling, or social media management.
5. Use Social Media to Build Brand Awareness
Patients today search for dentists online before booking an appointment. Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok are powerful platforms to increase visibility and attract new patients.
22,682 American dentists were emailed an electronic survey. The poll had questions on social media usage in a dental office. 52% of dental offices use social media; Facebook is the most often used platform.
Many successful dental practices post before-and-after photos, share patient testimonials, and create educational videos on topics like teeth whitening, Invisalign, and dental implants. Social media also helps engage with your community and build trust before a patient ever steps into your office.
🔹 Tip: Consistency is key—post at least 3-4 times per week and use targeted ads to reach potential patients in your area.
6. Expand Services – Don’t Ignore Implants & Invisalign
High-demand procedures like dental implants, Invisalign, and sleep apnea treatments have higher profit margins than general dentistry. If you’re not offering these services, you could be missing out on significant revenue opportunities.
Many general dentists are now taking continuing education courses to provide these treatments in-house rather than referring patients to specialists. Expanding your services can increase case acceptance and patient retention.
🔹 Tip: Invest in training programs for implant placement, clear aligners, and cosmetic dentistry to offer more options to your patients.
7. Hire an Associate to Scale Your Practice
If your schedule is consistently full, hiring an associate allows you to increase patient capacity without overworking yourself. Many multi-doctor practices generate more revenue because they can offer expanded office hours and faster treatment availability.
Additionally, having an associate can help you focus on higher-value cases while they handle routine procedures like cleanings and fillings.
🔹 Tip: Before hiring, analyze your patient load and determine whether your practice has enough demand to support an additional provider.
8. Consider a Fee-for-Service or Membership Model
Insurance reimbursements can be restrictive, leading many dentists to shift to fee-for-service (FFS) models or in-house membership plans. FFS models allow you to set fair pricing and focus on patient care rather than insurance limitations.
Membership plans offer patients an affordable alternative to traditional insurance. Many practices charge a flat annual fee for cleanings, exams, and discounts on additional treatments, which increases patient loyalty and reduces dependence on insurance companies.
🔹 Tip: Clearly communicate the benefits of FFS or membership plans to patients, emphasizing quality care, flexible payment options, and exclusive discounts.
9. Invest in Continuing Education
Staying updated with the latest advancements in dentistry is crucial for increasing revenue. Continuing education allows you to offer specialized procedures that attract new patients and increase treatment acceptance.
Courses in laser dentistry, full-mouth rehabilitation, and digital dentistry can differentiate your practice and boost profitability. Many dental organizations offer hands-on training and certification programs that help dentists stay ahead in a competitive market.
🔹 Tip: Choose CE courses based on patient demand in your area. If many patients ask about Invisalign or cosmetic dentistry, consider getting certified in those areas.
10. Own Your Practice & Property
Many dental practice owners rent their office space, which results in high long-term costs with no return on investment. Owning your building provides financial stability, tax advantages, and potential appreciation over time.
While purchasing real estate requires an upfront investment, it eliminates rent payments and builds equity that can be leveraged for future expansion. Some dentists have even purchased office spaces and rented out extra units to generate additional income.
🔹 Tip: Work with a financial advisor to assess whether owning your property makes financial sense for your practice.
Bonus Tip: Join a Professional Community
Becoming part of a professional community, like TheSmileInsider.com, can provide valuable resources, networking opportunities, and support. For example, many practice owners find that being part of such communities helps them stay informed about industry trends and best practices. This can be a game-changer for growing your practice and staying ahead in the competitive dental industry.
By following these dental practice revenue strategies, dental practice owners can achieve financial success, improve efficiency, and enjoy a better work-life balance while delivering exceptional care to their patients.
Final Thoughts: Work Smarter, Not Harder
Running a profitable dental practice requires more than just clinical expertise—it’s about strategic planning, smart financial decisions, and effective marketing.
✔ Adjust fees strategically to align with market rates.
✔ Use social media to increase brand awareness and attract new patients.
✔ Invest in continuing education to offer high-value treatments.
✔ Consider a fee-for-service model or membership plans for financial independence.
✔ Hire an associate dentist to expand patient capacity and increase revenue.
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