Improve Profitability through Clean Claims

With almost 11 ADA recognized dental specialties and having a burgeoning market share, the specialty dental business is here to make significant gains in the coming years as we take a cursory glance on the latest trends of the dental industry.

Listen to Ryan Arnold, Principal, Wisdom Teeth Guys as he explains the possibilities that lie ahead for Dental Specialty business and how he has paid attention on patient care,technology adoption and brand management to further sustainable practice growth for his specialty.

Dentistry's Inner Circle bg 37

Creating Sustainable Specialty Dental Businesses

Dentistry's Inner Circle Podcast

A series of podcasts from practice owners on how they navigated the change and successfully transitioned to CareStack. 

Expanding Dental Care beyond the Clinic

Expanding Dental Care Beyond the Clinic

Beatrice Perez

Ishtiaq Rouf

Dana Veach

Dr. Himesh Kana, DDS

Himesh Kana

 Penny Filipe

Promoted to Manager, Now What

Promoted to Manager, Now What?

The 2025 Mid-Year Dental Growth Report for Practices: Wins, Worries, and What’s Next

Wonderist Agency

Implant Marketing Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated—But It Does Have to Be Smart

DSO Group Blog: Boosting Call Conversions

DSOs Are Bleeding Value From Their Phone Lines: Dr. Scott Kalniz on the Call Conversion Crisis in Dentistry

Top Trends in Dental Software for 2025

Top Trends in Dental Software for 2025: What Practices Should Prepare For

Reducing patient no-shows and cancellations begins by accepting that 

it’s impossible to guarantee that your patients will always keep their appointments

. Once you accept that this falls outside your control, you can pool your efforts on the aspects that are within your control, and which help reduce no-shows and cancellations.

missed appointments cause a ripple effect

 that impacts your schedules, revenues, and the effectiveness of treatments. It strikes a serious blow to your bottom line. But with that said, there are 

effective safeguards you can put in place

 to address this issue. Before we explore these safeguards, let’s examine the key reasons behind no-shows and cancellations. 

Typically, patients miss their appointments when they:

Don’t understand the importance of keeping their appointments

Misunderstand when their appointment is scheduled

Self diagnose and decide to skip their appointments

Worry about bad news and try to avoid the situation

Have a shallow relationship with the provider

There is a wide range of reasons for patients to miss their appointments, but most can be mitigated with improved patient-provider communication and by implementing the following safeguards.

It became widely accepted as a care delivery method after the 2020 pandemic, but thanks to the convenience offered to patients, 

 is here to stay. Outside the initial check-up and actual treatment, consultations and routine post-op visits can be performed remotely. The virtual interactions offer patients the opportunity to 

receive treatment in the comfort of their living room

 or office. The added benefit of leveraging teledentistry is it adds one less reason for patients to rethink or opt out of their dental appointments. 

Another approach that has gained traction is using 

 to collect vital patient information. E-forms are a key feature of modern practice management software (PMS). This feature is now used widely to stay in line with the COVID-19 safety protocols. With this new norm, practices have completely replaced the clipboard and embraced digitization. Another fact that supports this approach is that 

98% of patients who take time to fill out online forms commit to their appointments

COVID-19 has added fuel to the fire of dental anxiety among patients. The risk of exposure is a valid fear. The best way for you to 

 is with communication and education. Ensure you convey the safety protocols and measures followed at your practice to reduce the risks from COVID-19. Launching targeted email campaigns, and updating relevant information on your practice website and 

convey your commitment to patient care and safety

 and encourage patients to follow through with their appointments.

When you provide your patients with the option to make payments in advance, it reduces the instances of no-shows and benefits your collections and accounts receivable. Get paid upfront instead of having to wait for 2-3 months. Paying cash in advance leads to 

. You can provide this option during patient checkout, especially when both you and your patient agree with the importance of scheduling the next appointment.

Offering upfront payment at this stage is apt, as the patient is likelier to take action and commit to their oral health. Another way to make it easy for them to pay is by providing an 

. Make sure that you inform your patient about your prepaid payment options. Market it through your campaigns, newsletters, and phone scripts.

Reminders are an effective way to reduce patient no-shows. Plan your 

and decide on a frequency that works best for your target clientele. Start off with a postcard, followed by email and text reminders. Add a phone reminder a few days before the scheduled appointment. Ensure that you cut down on reminders once you receive confirmation from your patients. Practice management software aids you to launch, coordinate and track your recall campaigns effectively.

reward patients who keep their appointments

. The reward initiatives can include discounts or gift cards. The benefits of such an approach are twofold. You encourage your patients to follow through on your appointments and 

convey how much you value their participation

. Moreover, curating such experiences helps you retain your customers.

Sometimes, patients simply forget an appointment. Send 

 that can include a “We missed you at the practice” message. Follow this up with a phone call to encourage them to reschedule immediately.

It is crucial that your patients know the impact of your treatments on their oral health. If your patients are not invested in the outcomes of your treatment plan, it is unlikely that they will uphold their commitments. 

 before every appointment. Remind them of the benefits of the procedure and the progress they’ve made so far. 

 of the scheduled appointment and ensure that they are fully onboard. A phone reminder before the appointment will help refresh what they already know about the 

Patients skip appointments because they owe your practice money or are worried the procedure will be too expensive. When this happens, it’s time to 

. It’s important that payments never come as a surprise to the patient. This causes anxiety in the patient, especially when they expect hidden expenses from each visit. When 

 and benefits are discussed upfront and agreed upon, patient no-shows due to financial concerns can be avoided. 

 allows you to effectively educate and communicate with your patients. Automating tasks like appointment reminders or confirmation/cancellation emails, filling last-minute openings, and sending online forms and other notifications to engage patients, practices can drastically cut revenue loss and staff workload while reducing patient no-shows and cancellations.

Eliminating No-Shows and Cancellations at Dental Office

For a dental practice, revenue cycle management is the equivalent of the body’s circulatory system and the heart of a practice’s financial success. The revenue cycle incorporates data capture, claims and denials management, and the collection of payments from both patient and insurance receivables. A healthy system works in concert with industry best practices and technical solutions to optimize efficiencies, identify “leaks” and improve operational workflows. As every practice is unique, it is difficult to prescribe a “one size fits all” approach. However, there are key performance indicators, which can and should be followed to measure practice performance. There are several potential KPIs which provide valuable insight into the collection’s performance and financial health of practice including, but not limited to: Collections percentage, Production growth, Aging accounts receivable, Days sales outstanding, Adjustments percentage, and Credit balances. 

Since 2011, the dental industry has experienced a steady and upward trend in aging receivables, with the majority of balances aged greater than 90 days. The good news is that CareStack offers a solution that combines modern technology, effective processes, and industry expertise to kick start the heart and breathe life back into the revenue cycle.

Revenue Cycle Playbook for Dental Professional

Revenue Cycle Playbook for Dental Professionals

From small, solo practices to large, multi-location clinics, these case studies demonstrate the versatility and value of CareStack in improving the patient experience and driving practice . 

Picture this: It is a Monday morning in a busy dental office somewhere in Ohio. The phone is buzzing nonstop, the waiting room is packed, and the practice owner is sipping coffee while scanning the monthly marketing report. The numbers look… fine. Not terrible, not amazing. But one question lingers:

“Are we actually on track to hit our new patient goals this year?”

Turns out, that question is not unique. When we surveyed 38 dental practices across the country, from general practitioners to oral surgeons, most admitted they are asking the same thing.

Who We Heard From: Dental Practices Across the U.S.

Our 2025 Mid-Year Growth Survey captured insights from 38 dental practices across the U.S. These are not just stats on a page but real stories from dental practice owners balancing patient care with business growth. Here is how the mix breaks down:

: The backbone of dentistry, setting the pace for growth across the industry.

: The “one-stop shops” juggling multiple services and marketing them all at once.

: Masters of trust and long-term loyalty, starting with a child’s first visit.

: Specialists relying on referrals and reputation for high-stakes cases.

: The root canal experts, thriving on strong referral ties.

On average, these practices run about 1.8 locations each.

Are Dental Practices on Track With Patient Growth in 2025?

Here is some good news: 79% of dental practices began 2025 with clear new patient growth targets. That shows that the “let’s just see what happens” approach is being ditched by modern dental practices. Dentistry is starting to act more like a business with defined goals and accountability.

The twist? Only 40% of dental practices have passed the halfway point toward those targets.

When asked how confident they feel about finishing the year strong:

 are cautiously optimistic, waiting to see how the second half plays out.

 are worried their current strategies just will not cut it.

The takeaway: having a target already sets you apart. Growth does not happen by accident, and a roadmap beats wandering any day.

Dental Marketing Budgets: Where Practices Are Spending

90% of dental practices invest real dollars into marketing, with most spending between $25,000 and $50,000 per location. On paper, that looks solid.

But here is the catch. 58% say they are not happy with the return. That is the equivalent of buying a fancy fishing rod, casting every day, and still coming home without dinner. The effort is there, but the strategy is off.

Many practices are casting wide nets for visibility instead of tracking what actually hooks patients. Without sharper targeting and smarter tracking, marketing dollars slip away fast.

Every dental practice surveyed has some sort of social media presence. But only 29% post 2-3 times a week, which is just enough to stay relevant. The rest? A couple of posts a month. That is like entering a marathon in flip-flops. You are technically in the race, but you are not really running.

76% are on Google Business Profile, Facebook, and Instagram, which are now the bare minimum. But too many practices treat their pages like digital waiting rooms. Quiet. Predictable. Forgettable.

Social media should not be wallpaper. It should grab attention, show personality, and make patients feel like they know you before they ever book. Otherwise, it is like renting a billboard and leaving it blank.

Dental Marketing Agencies: Partner or Passenger?

55% of dental practices hire a marketing agency, expecting a pit crew to tune up their growth engine. But nearly 20% say they have no idea what their agency is actually doing.

It is like paying a personal trainer who claps while you lift invisible weights. You are sweating, but are you getting results?

Too many agencies churn out content without driving growth. Only 52% of dental practices post weekly on social media, even with agencies on board. That is not enough.

Consistency wins trust. Patients may not book today, but if they see you show up regularly with value and warmth, you will be the one they remember when it matters.

Paid Ads for Dentists: Precision Over Budget

Two-thirds of practices are putting their ad dollars into Google Ads, with Meta trailing far behind at 8%. Direct mail still makes an appearance, surprisingly holding the same slice as Meta.

18% admit they do not know which channel requires more of their budget. That is like playing poker without looking at your cards.

The top performers are not spending more; they are spending smarter. They run intent-driven campaigns, track every click to booked appointments, and fine-tune strategies weekly. As Kyle Kazak, Co-founder of Deploy, LLC, puts it: 

”Success with dental paid ads isn’t about bigger budgets, it’s about smarter strategy. The best results come from aligning campaigns with patient intent, tracking clicks to booked appointments, and refining weekly. Google and Meta drive growth when treated as performance tools, not just visibility platforms.”

Translation: clicks are nice, but booked patients are better.

Top Dental Practice Growth Challenges in 2025

Every dental practice dreams of growth, but here are the biggest hurdles:

: With a dentist on every corner, visibility alone is not enough. Differentiation is the name of the game.

: Agencies that deliver vague reports instead of real results are a major frustration.

: Some dental practices expect champagne results on a soda budget.

: Changing communities are reshaping patient needs, from senior care to pediatric growth.

The message is clear. Winning practices move quickly, adapt to shifts, and make sure every dollar works harder.

What High-Performing Dental Practices Do Differently

The standouts in our survey are not spending recklessly. About 60% of confident dental practices invest $25,000 to $50,000 per location, but with sharp precision. They know which KPIs matter, track them in real time, and adjust strategies quickly. Marketing is treated as a growth engine, not just an expense.

Agencies play a big role, but not always a positive one. 19% of practices working with an agency or consultant report dissatisfaction. Why? Because hiring an agency is not a growth strategy on its own. The high performers treat agencies as partners, setting clear KPIs, reviewing results, and aligning every dollar with business goals.

Here is the twist: 29% of dental practices without an agency have already hit more than half of their new patient growth targets. By owning their marketing, testing campaigns, and staying close to the data, they are often moving faster than peers who rely too heavily on outside help.

General practitioners are setting the pace, with 45% already past half their goals thanks to hands-on marketing. Specialists also show strong momentum, with 42% halfway there by staying focused on their niche.

The contrast is clear: Generalists often go solo, Specialists lean on agencies, but the winners in both groups stay intentional and disciplined.

Generalists vs. Specialists: Same Struggles, Different Path

For General Practitioners, the story is a little lopsided. About 55% aren’t happy with the return on their digital marketing spend, which is kind of like paying for a premium gym but never seeing the abs. To make matters trickier, 23% admit they don’t even know which channel eats up the most budget. And here’s the kicker: over half of GPs don’t work with an agency or consultant at all. That means they’re juggling fillings, follow-ups, and Facebook ads solo, which rarely leads to gold-standard results.

Specialty practices, meanwhile, play in a different lane. You’d think their niche services would give them an edge, but 63% are just as frustrated with their ROI. The twist is that nearly 70% of specialists partner with agencies or consultants. The problem? Many of those partnerships fall flat, weighed down by fuzzy strategy, poor alignment, or campaigns that simply fizzle. Add in the fact that half of specialty practices post less than once a week on social media, and it’s no wonder they struggle to stay visible in a world where attention spans refresh faster than TikTok feeds.

The contrast is clear: GPs tend to go solo and wrestle with focus, while specialists lean on agencies but stumble on consistency. Different playbooks, same headaches. The real takeaway? Whether you’re a GP or a specialist, it is not about how much you spend; it is about being intentional, consistent, and actually making your strategy work as hard as you do.

How Dental Practices Can Finish 2025 Stronger

Our survey makes one thing clear: dentists are ambitious, but execution is where growth slips. Budgets are flowing, intent is high, but strategies are not sharp enough, and tracking is not tight enough.

The good news? Turning the year around does not require a complete overhaul. It just takes tightening a few bolts:

: Target smarter, optimize weekly, and make agencies prove their value.

: Post with consistency and personality, not just placeholders.

: In crowded markets, being memorable matters more than just being visible.

The second half of 2025 is a chance to flip the script. Practices that move with clarity, consistency, and creativity will not only finish strong but roll into 2026 with serious momentum. Want the full breakdown of wins, worries, and what’s next for dental growth this year? Read the complete 2025 Mid-Year Dental Growth Survey Report.



Looking for the best cloud-based dental software?

Book a demo with us!

Download the Full Report for Free

The Doers Podcast just landed a new episode, press play.

This time, Dan Hall sits down with Dr. Rasheeda Johnson, the powerhouse behind Dent Care Now, a same-day, after-hours, emergency-first dental practice that’s rewriting the rules.

She’s not just treating toothaches. She’s delivering relief, restoring confidence, and proving that “urgent” can also mean exceptional. From serving a single patient a day to running multiple high-demand locations, Dr. Johnson’s journey is a masterclass in hustle, heart, and scaling without losing your spark. 

Hosted by Dan Hall, VP of Sales at CareStack, this episode gets real about building a practice around people’s lives, the challenges of growth, and why going the extra mile might just be the future of dentistry.

It’s fast-paced. It’s inspiring. And it’ll make you rethink what’s possible when care comes first.

EP 05 | Rasheeda Johnson, DentCare Now

CareStack presents The Doers Podcast. In this series of candid interviews with successful entrepreneurs and changemakers in U.S. dentistry, we dive deep into their journeys, what drives them, and the insights they've gained along the way.

This time we’re joined by Dr. Penelope Chang, a cosmetic dentist, digital smile artist, and mentor who is redefining modern dentistry through every handcrafted restoration. From stained glass and lampwork to chairside CAD/CAM and AI diagnostics, Dr. Chang shares how creativity, precision, and patient empathy drive her thriving New Jersey practice.

Hosted by Dan Hall, VP of Sales at CareStack, this conversation explores the quieter, intentional side of dentistry: the kind built on trust, precision, and a whole lot of heart.
This is a conversation about control, creativity, and the kind of dentistry that leaves a mark far beyond the smile.

If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to blend tech, leadership, and legacy into one practice, this one’s for you.

New episodes drop on the first Friday of every month.

Hit play and keep doing the work.

EP 04  |  Penelope Chang, DDS | Cosmetic and Family Dentistry, Tenafly, NJ

CareStack presents The Doers Podcast. In this series of candid interviews with successful entrepreneurs and changemakers in U.S. dentistry, we dive deep into their journeys, what drives them, and the insights they've gained along the way.

Hosted by Dan Hall, VP of Sales at CareStack, this episode features Mike McCarthy, a 25-year industry veteran, renowned dental consultant, and one of the most sought-after speakers in the dental space. Known as the “CEO Whisperer,” Mike shares his unconventional path into dentistry, the shifts he's witnessed over the decades, and his mission to elevate the profession by bridging the gap between clinical care and business acumen. From tackling inefficiencies in practice operations to harnessing AI and championing the patient experience, Mike’s insights offer a masterclass for leaders navigating the future of dental care.

The Doers Podcast | EP 03 | Katie Post

EP 03 | Michael McCarthy | Healthcare Strategy & AI Consultant

CareStack presents the The Doers Podcast. In this series of candid interviews with successful entrepreneurs in US dentistry, we will dive deep into their personalities, how thy got started, their success formulae and their life lessons. Hosted by Dan Hall, VP-Sales at CareStack, this episode of The Doers Podcast features Tim and Alex Otto, founders of Alcan Dental Cooperative and Kids Tooth Team in Austin, TX. Watch them talk about finding their life's calling in dentistry, and about upending the PE-led model of building DSOs with a co-operative structure for growth.

The Doers Podcast – EP 02: Dr. Alex Otto & Tim Otto, Alcan Dental Cooperative

EP 02 | Dr. Alex Otto and Tim Otto, Alcan Dental Cooperative

By Laura Maly, Co-Founder of Wonderist Agency

After more than a decade in dental marketing, I’ve realized something simple but powerful: marketing, at its core, is not that complicated. Whether you're promoting general dentistry or high-value services like dental implants, success comes down to four essential steps.


Implant Marketing

If you're marketing implants and not laser-focused on each of these, you're leaving serious money on the table. Let’s break it down.


1. Tell Your Story—With Intention and Authenticity

Dental implants aren’t cheap. They take time, trust, and genuine commitment from patients. Your marketing needs to 

Too many practices still rely on stock imagery and stale websites, even after investing heavily in stunning office design and cutting-edge technology. If your online presence doesn’t match the in-person experience, you're creating a disconnect that turns potential patients away.

 Real photos, real videos, and real patient stories. When practices replace stock imagery with custom content, we’ve seen up to 

. Consistent brand presentation across platforms can boost revenue by 

So if you're going to market implants, skip the generic. Showcase 

 you deliver. Don’t just say you’re different—

Not everyone is an implant patient. They’re adults who are seeking a solution: to replace a missing tooth, to get out of pain, to improve their confidence.

So where are they? Online, searching, scrolling, asking questions. You need to meet them where they are—whether that's on Google, social media, or even in their inbox.

 on your site that answer common questions (cost, process, longevity, bone grafting, etc.).

 Use paid search to direct prospective patients to focused, high-converting 

 Make it easy to take the next step with calls to action like “Take the Implant Quiz” or “Schedule a Free Consultation.”

When done right, this shows Google that you're an expert in implants and shows patients that you're the provider they can trust.


Here’s the hard truth: most dental practices don’t treat leads like leads. If someone calls your office, fills out a form, or chats on your site, and you don’t respond—or worse, you lose them after the first phone call—you’ve wasted your marketing dollars.

Think about how retail brands nurture potential customers: emails, texts, promotions, and retargeting. Dental practices need to start thinking the same way.

 (customer relationship management tool) that collects 

A way to re-engage warm leads, especially if your schedule falls apart.

If you've built a solid pipeline, even a single text like “We have 3 open implant consultation spots this Friday” can drive bookings.


This is where it all comes together—and where most practices fall short. Marketing shouldn’t be a guessing game. You need real numbers.

At Wonderist, we’ve partnered with CareStack to integrate real-time ROI tracking. That means we can now say:

“We sent 75 leads. 32 scheduled. That’s $121,000 in production already—and rising.”

Not only can we track where your patients came from (Google Ads, SEO, web, etc.), but we can also drill into which channels are performing best and how to optimize further. This level of clarity is a game changer.


Dental implants represent one of the most significant growth opportunities in private practice today. But success doesn’t happen by chance—it happens by 

So if you want to win in implant marketing, remember:

—and don’t let them fall through the cracks.

 become one of the most powerful drivers of growth in your practice.

Dentcare Now, a leading provider of general, restorative, cosmetic, and urgent dental care, is dedicated to offering high-quality treatments with state-of-the-art dental technology. Their mission is to provide patients with exceptional care while making dental procedures as accessible and stress-free as possible.

One of the biggest challenges was ensuring that patients—especially those in emergency situations—had access to financing options that would allow them to receive necessary care without financial hesitation.

After evaluating multiple third-party financing solutions, they discovered Sunbit integration. The seamless, digital-first experience was exactly what they needed to improve treatment accessibility and streamline their internal workflow.

Before implementing Sunbit, Dentcare Now had experience with several third-party financing solutions, including Cherry, CareCredit, Alphaeon, LendingClub, and Proceed. While these options helped some patients, Dentcare Now reported that they often came with cumbersome application processes, additional verification steps, and phone calls that slowed down approvals. The extra friction in the financing process often led to frustration for both patients and staff.


Dentcare Now needed a financing option that

Had a high approval rate, especially for patients with urgent dental needs.

Offered a fast and frictionless application process.

Integrated directly into their CareStack system to simplify their workflow.

By integrating Sunbit with CareStack, Dentcare Now transformed the way it offers financing to its patients. The ability to send a prequalification or checkout link directly to a patient’s phone from within CareStack significantly streamlined the financing process. Patients could see their payment plan options instantly, making it easier for them to move forward with treatment.

: Patients could apply lightning fast without filling out lengthy forms or making phone calls.

: Many patients, including those with subprime credit scores, were able to qualify for financing.

: Staff could send prequalification links directly from CareStack with a single tap.

: Patients were already familiar with this type of payment structure from other everyday purchases, making adoption easy.



Dr. Dominique Bonner

CareStack integration

Since implementing Sunbit through CareStack, Dentcare Now has seen remarkable improvements in both patient financing adoption and operational efficiency.



Sunbit and CareStack

How Sunbit and CareStack Helped Dentcare Now Increase Case Acceptance and Streamline Patient Payments

In the high-stakes world of Dental Support Organizations (DSOs), enterprise value isn’t just built in the operatory—it’s determined well before a patient ever sits in the chair. For Dr. Scott Kalniz, a seasoned operator and thought leader in the DSO space, one blind spot is quietly eroding revenue across the industry: 

Dr. Scott Kalniz

between 27–43% of inbound calls fail to convert into booked appointments

. Considering that every new patient adds $1,200–$1,300 on average to yearly production, losing out on the opportunity to convert patients significantly impacts practice productivity. Even more, the implications ripple far beyond lost production—they undercut marketing ROI, damage patient trust, and ultimately chip away at a DSO’s valuation.

Dr. Kalniz is no stranger to this problem. He began his career as a solo practitioner, eventually acquiring multiple practices and forming a substantial dental group which was later sold to a DSO, where he served as Director of Development, contributing to its expansion to over 50 locations. He later partnered with a private equity firm to establish a new DSO, serving as CEO and Chief Dental Officer. Under his leadership, the organization grew to encompass more than 110 locations across 12 states within five years.

After all those years optimizing performance across multi-location groups, Dr. Kalniz views the issue through both an operational and strategic lens.

Browse Content

Explore All