Dental ownership isn’t just about clinical excellence, it’s about developing the discipline to make business decisions that move the needle. Far too often, dentists find themselves overwhelmed by the “everything all at once” approach: building systems, fixing billing, driving new patients, motivating the team, improving leadership… it’s a Thanksgiving plate of too much.
But what if the key to progress is just 1% improvement at a time, in the right area?
What is the 1% Rule in Dental Practice Ownership?
The 1% Rule is the discipline of doing one focused action, daily or weekly, that compounds over time. It works in personal development, fitness, and most importantly, dental leadership.
When you focus on too many areas at once, you dilute your efforts and slow down results. But when you commit to just one high-impact improvement, everything else begins to follow.
How Do Top Practices Apply the 1% Rule?
High-performing practices don’t chase every new strategy. They discipline themselves to:
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Focus on one major operational goal (e.g., AR cleanup, collections, team accountability)
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Train their team members to each own one 1% improvement
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Eliminate distractions disguised as urgency (shiny marketing, side projects)
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Repeat the same priorities until mastered before moving on
Examples of 1% improvements:
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Collect balances before patients leave
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Call one past-due account per day
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Run one targeted AR report weekly
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Review one key system with a team member each morning
Leadership Isn’t About Hustle, It’s About Focus
It’s tempting to choose the “pumpkin pie” in business, fun projects like branding, new tech, or social media. But long-term success is built by eating the “protein” first: the foundational, sometimes dry tasks like billing, team meetings, and clear KPIs.
Every day, dental leaders choose between:
Ready to Apply the 1% Rule?
Ask yourself:
“If my practice could talk, what’s the one problem it wants fixed first?”
Then commit to just 1% progress in that area for 90 days.
Want accountability, support, and expert guidance to apply this inside your practice? The Dental A Team helps private practices simplify leadership, build systems, and increase profit, without chaos. Schedule a call or join our upcoming CEO Dentist Workshop to get your action plan in motion.
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Last updated: July 2025
Written by Jacintha Ham, Dental A Team