At Dental A Team, we believe that running a dental practice shouldn’t be overwhelming—it should be profitable, fulfilling, and aligned with your dream life. Kiera had the pleasure of joining Nick Zager and Remy Isdaner from Mirlo Real Estate Partners on the Dentalligentsia podcast, and our conversation was packed with actionable strategies for dentists at every stage of ownership. Whether you're a new owner, acquiring a practice, or scaling to multiple locations, this conversation is your roadmap to a thriving practice!
From Dental Assistant to Dental Consulting CEO
Kiera's journey started in high school, assisting in dental offices and eventually managing a multi-million dollar practice. But success on paper doesn’t always mean success in life. Long hours, burnout, and personal sacrifices made her realize: there has to be a better way. That realization led to the birth of Dental A Team, where we coach dentists and their teams to grow profitable, systematized practices—with joy.
KPI Clarity: Numbers to Track for a Thriving Practice
Too many dentists don’t know their key performance indicators (KPIs)—and that’s a problem. KPIs are like vitals for your practice. If you want to run a thriving dental business, start here:
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Production & Collections: Aim for a 98% collection rate.
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Overhead: Keep total payroll at 30% or less of collections.
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Case Acceptance: Track diagnosis vs. accepted treatment. Patients buy your confidence, not just your care.
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Accounts Receivable (AR): Monitor insurance and patient portions.
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Hygiene Production: Target 3–4x hourly pay in production.
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Reappointment Rates & New Patient Flow: These are your growth and retention lifelines.
Knowing your numbers empowers you to make smart hiring decisions, tighten cash flow, and scale sustainably.
Culture & Team: Creating a Thriving Practice
Hiring the right team is everything. For startups, this often means an experienced office manager who can take ownership from day one. For established practices, it's about identifying leadership gaps, investing in team development, and cultivating a culture of accountability.
Thriving practices don’t just talk about core values—they live them. From hiring to daily operations, your core values should guide every decision and every team interaction.
AI and the Future of Dentistry
If you're not already exploring AI, now's the time. Tools like Pearl and Overjet are revolutionizing diagnostics. Virtual assistants are reducing front office costs. And yes, billing is on the brink of automation.
AI won't replace the human touch in dentistry, but it will amplify efficiency and accuracy. Start small. Try one tool. But don’t ignore it—because the practices that adapt now will be miles ahead in 5 years.
DSO Decisions and Fee-for-Service Cautions
DSO offers are flooding inboxes—but don’t let a tough day tempt you into a long-term decision. Understand your EBITDA, know your exit goals, and explore options that match your personal and professional vision. The same caution goes for dropping insurance—have a rock-solid patient experience and retention system in place first.
Define What Success Looks Like for You
Whether it's owning five practices or working three days a week and surfing on Wednesdays, success looks different for everyone. The most important thing? Define it. Measure it. Build systems that support it.
Listen to the full episode for more behind-the-scenes stories, metrics, and insights.
And if you're ready to optimize your practice and live your dream life, let’s chat. Schedule a call!
Remember, thriving is not just about financial success—it's about building a practice that aligns with your life goals and brings fulfillment to you and your team. You deserve to thrive, and with the right mindset and strategy, you absolutely can!
