Common KPIs for Dental Practices You Should Be Tracking
- johnry8
- Oct 8
- 2 min read
Many dental practice owners focus solely on patient numbers or revenue without looking deeper into what is driving success. The right KPIs give you a clearer picture of your business health. They help you identify what is working, where you can improve and how to plan for growth. Without tracking these numbers, you might miss warning signs that could affect your profitability or patient satisfaction.
1. Patient Retention Rate
Your current patients are your most asset. Tracking patient retention shows you how well you are keeping them engaged and satisfied. Best practices:
Offer follow-up reminders and recall appointments
Build strong patient relationships through consistent communication
Track cancellations and no-shows
2. New Patient Growth
Monitoring how many new patients you attract each month gives you insights into your marketing effectiveness.
Tips:
Ask new patients how they heard about you
Strengthen referral programs
Invest in online visibility such as Google Business Profile and targeted ads
3. Treatment Acceptance Rate
This measures how often patients accept the treatment plans you present. To improve acceptance:
Clearly explain treatment benefits and costs
Provide written treatment plans for transparency
Offer flexible payment options
4. Revenue Per Patient
Understanding how much each patient contributes to your revenue helps you identify upselling opportunities and service mix adjustments.
Things to do:
Review your service pricing regularly
Offer complementary services such as whitening or preventive treatments
Encourage regular check-ups and maintenance visits
5. Average Appointment Value
This KPI shows the average revenue you generate per appointment.
6. Chair Utilisation Rate
This tells you how efficiently your appointment time is being used. If the rate is low, you could be missing opportunities to serve more patients.
Tip: Reduce no-shows with friendly reminders. Offer flexible scheduling or same-day emergency slots to fill unexpected gaps.
7. Accounts Receivable Days
Cash flow is the heartbeat of your practice. Tracking how long it takes to collect payments will help you avoid unnecessary delays.
Tip: Offer convenient payment options such as online or contactless payments. Follow up promptly and politely on overdue accounts.
Best practices:
Schedule procedures efficiently to maximise chair time
Combine treatments when possible
Use your team’s skills effectively to increase productivity
Ready to track the right KPIs for your dental practice?