The Practice Profitability Playbook: Part 3

Part 3: Clinical Control — Diagnose with Confidence, Present with Clarity

By: Dawn Patrick, Business Strategy Coach, IgniteDDS

Even the most profitable practice can struggle if patients don’t accept treatment consistently. Clinical Control ensures that your team delivers excellent care and communicates it effectively, so patients understand the value and say yes to recommended treatment.

Missed the previous weeks? Check them out here:
Part 1: Systems Control — The Foundation of a Low-Stress, High-Performing Practice
Part 2: Financial Control — Show Me the Money in Your Dental Practice

Key Goals for Clinical Control

1. Consistency Across Providers

Standardize how procedures are performed and documented to create predictable outcomes. Create an office Standard of Care that everyone is on board with.

2. Confident Case Presentation

Patients need clear, simple explanations of their treatment options — not dental jargon.

3. Team Alignment

The business team, hygiene team, and all providers must be on the same page to guide patients smoothly from consultation to treatment completion.

💡Coach’s Tip: Role-play scenarios at team meetings for maximum communication.

3-Step Case Conversation Framework

Step 1: Educate

Explain the diagnosis clearly, using visuals or intraoral images.

Step 2: Present Options

Give 1–2 treatment paths with pros, cons, and costs.

Step 3: Confirm Understanding & Next Steps

Ask the patient what questions they have and schedule treatment while they’re ready.

💡Coach’s Tip: Use simple, patient-friendly language. “We recommend this filling to prevent future problems” works better than complex dental terminology.

Implementation: Clinical Control Worksheet

To track and improve case acceptance, use a Clinical Control worksheet with the following sections:

1. Patient Name & Procedure – List recommended treatment.
2. Treatment Presented Date – Keep track of when each case was discussed.
3. Patient Questions/Concerns – Document objections or barriers.
4. Acceptance Status – Yes / No / Pending.
5. Follow-Up Actions – Team accountability for rescheduling, reminders, or additional education.

This worksheet ensures that every patient receives consistent information, and your team can identify gaps in case presentation or follow-up processes.

💡Coach’s Tip: When your team communicates clinical excellence clearly and consistently, patients are more confident, treatment acceptance goes up, and your practice’s production grows naturally.

Series Wrap-Up: Building a Profitable, Low-Stress Dental Practice

Congratulations! By mastering the three pillars:

1. Systems Control – Create a predictable, efficient office.
2. Financial Control – Collect more revenue while maintaining patient trust.
3. Clinical Control – Present treatment effectively and consistently.

You have the foundation for a profitable, low-stress, and thriving dental practice.

Next Steps for Your Team

1. Decide what you will measure as a team. Remember, what is measured can be improved.
2. Assign one team member to lead each area and be responsible for the tracking tool.
3. Start with one system, one financial tracking sheet, and one clinical case log. Getting started is key.
4. Review progress weekly and celebrate small wins — momentum builds fast.

If your practice feels a little chaotic, your systems aren’t as predictable as you’d like, or you’re simply ready for smoother, more profitable days — let’s talk.

I’m offering a complimentary deep-dive evaluation to help you identify what’s working, what’s not, and how to create a stress-free, high-performing practice.

📧 Email me at dawn.patrick@ignitedds.com to get started.