We’ve all seen it, a practice with heart, talent, and potential... but struggling to grow past a ceiling. One of our Dental A Team clients was in that exact position just 3 years ago. Today? They grew from $750,000 to $2.4 million!
Here's how they did it and how you can replicate their path.
Where They Started
This practice began as a single-doctor office with two hygienists and a lean front/back office team. Like many private practices under $1M, they wanted to grow, but were hitting roadblocks:
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No formal systems or workflows
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Minimal leadership structure
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Little to no financial forecasting
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A team working hard, but not necessarily in alignment
The doctor had a clear vision: own their building, reduce clinical hours, and scale profitably. But vision alone wasn’t enough—they needed structure.
The Consulting Framework: 3 Phases That Drove Success
1. Systems First
We started with foundational systems:
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Daily morning huddles tied to KPIs
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Production and collection tracking by department
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Goal-setting that the full team participated in
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Standard operating procedures that built consistency
Result: The team began to self-manage and perform with purpose.
2. Build Leadership, Not Just Staff
Next came building a leadership team. We worked with the doctor to:
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Hire and train an empowered Office Manager
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Create quarterly focus goals
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Delegate metrics and accountability by role
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Coach the doctor to move from “boss” to “visionary leader”
The office manager became an operational partner. This shift freed the doctor to focus on growth, not daily fires.
3. Financial Projections with Accountability
With a big goal in sight—buying a building and doubling collections—we reverse-engineered a financial plan:
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When to hire an associate (based on projected demand and ramp-up time)
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Budgeting by department and category
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Expense controls tied to actual P&L reviews
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Team capacity planning to match revenue goals
Every decision was tied to numbers, not feelings.
What’s the Practice Like Today?
In just 3 years, the practice:
- Grew from $750K to $2.4M projected for 2025
- Doubled its clinical team size (2 doctors, 4 hygienists)
- Expanded the full team across front and back office
- Hired an associate at the right time with onboarding success
- Is on track to own their own building
This growth didn’t happen by accident. It was a result of consistent effort, clear data, and team-wide leadership.
What Can You Take Away?
If you’re feeling stuck or plateaued under $1M or $2M, here’s your action plan:
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Set a 3-year vision. Define exactly where you want your practice to go.
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Map out your financials. Reverse-engineer your production, collections, team size, and expenses.
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Get help implementing. Accountability and outside perspective drive follow-through.
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Train your team to lead. Don’t be the only one driving results.
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Track progress monthly. Numbers tell the story—review them often.
If you’re a practice owner with a big vision but feel stuck or unsure where to start, schedule a call!
Don't forget to check out our podcast for more tips on overcoming patient objections.
Last updated: July 2025
Written by Jacintha Ham, Dental A Team