New patient acquisition is the top driver of dental practice growth, according to a recent analysis of more than 8,500 dental practices.
Consistent new patient acquisition is the strongest predictor of long-term dental practice growth, outperforming case acceptance, treatment completion and chair utilization, according to a July 31 news release in which The Scheduling Institute highlighted findings from a Planet DDS analysis.
Planet DDS analyzed data from more than 8,500 dental practices and 497 DSOs using its Denticon and Cloud 9 practice management platforms throughout 2025.
Here are five things to know:
- Sixty-three percent of practices grew revenue during the analysis period, with about one-third growing more than 10%.
- Nearly 14% of dental practices declined by more than 10%, a disparity the report attributed to operational execution rather than geography, marketing budgets or technology investment.
- Practices averaging 75 or more new patients a month grew about 9% annually, nearly double the rate of practices averaging fewer than 35. About 40% of practices attracted fewer than 20 new patients a month, while about 18% consistently brought in 80 or more.
- The most consistent 10% of practices grew 6.1% annually, while the least consistent 10% declined 3.4%. Stable practices averaged about $9,927 in daily production, compared with about $7,189 for practices with more volatile schedules.
- Case acceptance averaged 58% industry-wide, but treatment completion averaged just 47%. Planet DDS estimated that a five-percentage-point improvement in case acceptance across Denticon-based practices could generate about $1 billion in additional annual production without added facilities, providers or marketing spend.
At the Becker's 5th Annual Future of Dentistry Roundtable, taking place September 14-15 in Chicago, dental leaders and executives will gain insights into emerging technologies, practice growth strategies and the evolving landscape of dental care delivery, with a focus on innovation, patient experience and operational excellence. Apply for complimentary registration now.