---
title: "What Is Dental practice optimization? Dental Practice Glossary"
description: "Dental practice optimization means changing the schedule, systems, staffing or costs of a practice so it runs more smoothly, usually after measuring where the..."
url: https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-practice-optimization
publisher: Copeland Consulting Services
email: drcopeland@joncopelanddds.com
contact: https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/contact
---

Practice management

# Dental practice optimization

Dental practice optimization means changing the schedule, systems, staffing or costs of a practice so it runs more smoothly, usually after measuring where the current setup falls short.

Dental practice optimization is a plain label for improving how a practice runs. It is not a standard or a certification. The ADA advises that the first step in setting useful targets is an objective and comprehensive evaluation of the business. After that, the owner picks a small set of numbers to follow. The ADA suggests starting with a limited number of factors and reassessing them at least quarterly. Common targets include the schedule, [case acceptance](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/case-acceptance), [collections](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/collections) and [overhead](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/overhead). Any change should be checked against the numbers that came before it, so the owner can tell whether the change helped.

[Next stepPractice consulting with Dr. Copeland](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/contact?topic=consulting)

## Related terms

-   [Dental practice consultant](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-practice-consultant)
-   [Key performance indicator](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/key-performance-indicator)
-   [Practice assessment](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/practice-assessment)
-   [Workflow](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/workflow)

## Sources

1.  [ADA, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)](https://www.ada.org/resources/practice/practice-management/measuring-success20160428t155202)
2.  [ADA, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)](https://www.ada.org/resources/practice/practice-management/measuring-success20160428t155202)

## Talk with Dr. Copeland

[Contact Dr. Copeland](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/contact)[Email](mailto:drcopeland@joncopelanddds.com)