By Heidi Mount – Dental Business Coach for Profit-Driven Dentists
One of the most common questions I get as a Dental Business Coach is:
“How can I lower my overhead without cutting corners?”
It’s a great question—and the good news is, you don’t need to sacrifice patient care to increase your profitability. In fact, the easiest and fastest way to lower your overhead is simple:
Raise Your Collections By Making More Profit
Before you start slashing costs, first make sure you're collecting what you already earned. So many dental practices leave money on the table every day.
Here’s some ways to increase collections and lower overhead:
- Charge for every procedure you perform (no more freebies!)
- Drop low-paying insurance plans that drain your time and profit
- Use the most competitive bank merchant services—stop overpaying on transaction fees
- Implement better systems for billing and follow-ups so payments don’t fall through the cracks
When you collect more, your fixed costs automatically take up a smaller percentage of revenue. That’s a win.
Daily Cost-Cutters That Add Up Fast
These small changes may seem insignificant—but over time, they can make a big dent in your overhead.
- Use vinyl gloves for quick, low-risk appointments like denture adjustments or hygiene exams
- Install motion sensor lights and always turn off lights during lunch or after hours
- Go paperless—printing is expensive and outdated
- Only use plastic chair covers when absolutely necessary
- Compare merchant service fees regularly and switch to the most cost-effective option
These are just a few of the practical strategies I help dentists implement in my Dental Business Coaching programs.
Evaluate Every Line Item in Your Budget
As a Dental Business Coach, I always encourage my clients to do a line-by-line audit of their expenses at least twice per year.
Ask yourself:
- Do we need this subscription/service?
- Are we paying for outdated technology?
- Are our supply costs creeping up without us noticing?
- Are there price-matching opportunities with suppliers?
Treat every dollar like an employee. If it’s not working for you—it’s got to go.
Invest in Help That Multiplies Your Time
Spending money can feel counterintuitive when you’re trying to lower overhead, but some strategic hires actually increase profitability.
- Hire a helper or personal assistant for 8 hours/week to handle non-clinical, low-value tasks. This frees you and your team up for productive, billable work. (Trust me, buy back your time!)
- Bring in specialists to work in your office. Not only do they increase your case acceptance, but they also keep patients in-house instead of referring out.
Remember: smart delegation lowers overhead by increasing efficiency.
Tighten Up Time Clocks and Payroll
Payroll is one of the biggest expenses in any dental office. It needs to be managed with intention.
- Establish a clear clock-in/clock-out policy
- Monitor for unnecessary overtime, hours or extended breaks
- Use scheduling software that optimizes coverage based on demand
I’ve worked with many dentists as a Dental Business Coach who lowered their payroll costs by simply creating accountability and transparency.
Final Thought from Your Dental Business Coach
Overhead doesn’t shrink on its own—and it’s not your team’s responsibility to fully manage it. It’s your role as the business owner to lead with strategy and data.
The great news is:
You don’t need to work harder—you just need to work smarter.
And that’s exactly what I help dentists do.
Want to Lower Overhead and Boost Profit in Your Practice?
As a seasoned Dental Business Coach, I’ve helped thousands of dental practices across the U.S. cut costs, grow collections, and increase profitability—without burnout or overwhelm.
Ready to uncover the hidden profits in your practice?
Schedule your FREE Practice Analysis right here.
Let’s lower your overhead and raise your income—together.
Live with intention,
Heidi Mount
Dental Business Coach | Profit Strategy Expert for Dentists
