The Practice Profitability Playbook: Part 2

Part 2: Financial Control — Show Me the Money in Your Dental Practice

By: Dawn Patrick, Business Strategy Coach, IgniteDDS


Money makes a practice run, but too often, practices struggle to collect what they earn. Without strong financial control, even busy offices can leave revenue on the table.

Financial Control is the system that ensures your practice gets paid efficiently, transparently, and consistently, while your patients feel confident and cared for.


Key Goals for Financial Control

1. Understand how money flows through your practice

Every procedure, every payment, and every insurance claim impacts your bottom line. Tracking these numbers gives clarity.

2. Strengthen collections and payment systems

Ensure your team knows how to collect payments professionally — without awkwardness.

3. Empower your team for confident financial conversations

Patients respond best when fees and options are communicated clearly and consistently.


3 Key Numbers Every Dentist Should Track

  1. Average Production per Provider – Are you meeting your goals?
  2. Case Acceptance Rate – How often do patients say yes to recommended treatment?
  3. Outstanding Balances & Collections – Who owes what, and how quickly are you collecting?

Managing AR balances and outstanding insurance claims is KEY to keeping your financial house in order. Tracking these consistently prevents small losses from adding up.


Implementation: Financial Control Worksheet

Create worksheets to track:

  • Daily production per provider and practice collections
  • Treatment presented and accepted

Goal: Identify leaks and improve financial conversations.


Complimentary Worksheet

╰┈➤ˎˊ˗ I’ve created a Treatment Plan Tracker as your first measurement tool. Click here for instant access!


Coach’s Tip

“What gets measured gets improved!”

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.

Photo by Kindel Media

Dawn Patrick

Dawn Patrick

Dawn has 30+ years of dental experience spanning all facets of dentistry including pediatric, cosmetic, complete health, and sleep. During her career, Dawn enjoyed 25 years in practice management including marketing, team training, and consulting. She joined IgniteDDS in June 2022 as Director of Operations. Dawn enjoys working directly with teams and customers to create a win-win. She is passionate about creating systems and processes that allow teams to excel. In her spare time, Dawn enjoys time with family, her two Goldendoodles, and traveling with her husband, Jon.