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The 15 Key Numbers Every Future Practice Owner Needs to Know

 

The 15 Key Numbers Every Future Practice Owner Needs to Know

If you’re a dentist preparing to open your own practice, chances are your brain is juggling lease terms, floorplans, equipment specs—and about 12,000 other details.

But here’s a truth that could seriously change the game:

Not all numbers matter equally.

In fact, after working with hundreds of startup practices, we’ve found that just 15 key numbers truly shape your long-term profitability. And when you focus on these from the very beginning, you’ll make smarter decisions—and avoid the silent killers of growth.

In this episode of the Ideal Practices Podcast, we brought on industry expert Jon to break down the essential KPIs (key performance indicators) every new practice owner needs to track.

Spoiler: These aren’t “nice to know” stats. These are the metrics that drive profitable practices.

Why These 15 Dental KPIs Matter Now More Than Ever

Let’s face it: the dental landscape is shifting fast.

New grads are flooding the market, DSOs are scaling aggressively, and practice costs are climbing. But don’t let that rattle you.

Jon’s insights are data-backed, startup-specific, and totally actionable—even if you haven’t opened your doors yet.

He covers:

  • The metrics most dentists ignore (to their detriment)

  • How to protect your profit margins from Day One

  • What flat-line practices have in common—and how to avoid joining their ranks

Highlights From the Podcast

Here’s a preview of what you’ll walk away with:

  • The hidden opportunity behind the increase in dental grads

  • The #1 simple technique Jon recommends to fuel predictable growth

  • What an HVAC repair taught Jon about sustainable profitability

  • How to save $50,000 on supplies with one data-driven shift

  • The “sweet spot” for startup timing (and how to know if it’s now)

  • Why obsessing over fewer numbers = greater profits

Bonus Resources for Future Practice Owners

Ready to take this further?

Bottom line? Profitability isn’t just a post-opening goal. It’s something you build into your foundation—by tracking the right numbers from the start.

Let’s make sure you’re not just opening a practice… but building a business that thrives.

— Stephen Trutter