Ten brutally honest questions every dental practice owner is asking about profit, patients and burnout

THE EXTREME BUSINESS AUTOPILOT© HIT PARADE: THE TOP 10 QUESTIONS FROM DENTAL PRACTICE OWNERS

Over the last 12 months, The Extreme Business Autopilot© has quietly answered hundreds of questions from dental practice owners and managers.

When you zoom out, the pattern is clear: the issues repeat — it’s the context that changes.

So here it is: the 10 most asked questions of 2025, counting down to number 1…

#10 – Where do we even start with marketing? Still the biggest gap and the biggest quick win. Most are overpaying agencies and underusing their own patient base. Fix recall. Collect reviews. Run internal and inbound campaigns.

#9 – Why are our surgeries half empty some days? Even growing practices leak capacity. Unused half days, vague diary rules and a lack of daily yield targets are the silent killers of profit.

#8 – Why are we busy, but still short of cash? Many practices work hard but still feel the squeeze. Pricing, plans and patient finance are rarely optimised. Dashboards are missing or ignored.

#7 – Why do associates underperform unless I chase them? There’s no substitute for clear targets, regular mentoring, and consequences. Without them, expectations slip — and results follow.

#6 – Why does nothing change after our meetings? You’ve had the discussion, made the agreement… then nothing happens. The missing pieces? Role clarity, accountability, and a consistent weekly rhythm.

#5 – We’ve got a TCO… but what do we do with them? A title isn’t enough. You need a designed patient journey, KPIs, and a clear handover process — not just someone “helping with consults”.

#4 – What do I do when growth just creates more strain? Scaling doesn’t always mean soaring. Hiring, onboarding, and managing the team adds pressure fast — especially when boundaries are unclear.

#3 – What’s my practice really worth – and is it even saleable? Nearly every owner is asking this quietly. It’s not just about EBITDA and multiples — it’s about sustainability and buyer appeal.

#2 – How do I find time to lead when I’m drowning in operations? From the front desk to the surgery, you're in everything. Leadership gets squeezed out, and the business stalls without strategic direction.

#1 – How do I keep myself well while I do this? The most honest question of all. Behind every decision is a human being who needs sleep, energy and purpose to keep going.

If any of these sound uncomfortably familiar, good — it means you’re not alone.

Awareness is the first step. Now pick one issue, one project, and one action for the next quarter. Then start.

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