---
title: "What Is Key performance indicator? Dental Practice Glossary"
description: "A key performance indicator, or KPI, is a measurable number an owner tracks over time to judge how part of the business, such as growth or profitability, is..."
url: https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/key-performance-indicator
publisher: Copeland Consulting Services
email: drcopeland@joncopelanddds.com
contact: https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/contact
---

Practice management

# Key performance indicator

A key performance indicator, or KPI, is a measurable number an owner tracks over time to judge how part of the business, such as growth or profitability, is performing.

The ADA defines key performance indicators as measurable values used by business owners to assess the business' growth, profitability and other factors. It suggests tracking a limited number at first and reassessing them at least quarterly. The ADA also advises that KPIs tied to clinical production, appointments and overhead be tracked more often, since they are the core of the practice. A KPI is only useful when it is defined the same way each time and compared with the practice's own history or a fair [benchmark](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/benchmark). Common examples appear under [dental practice KPIs](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-practice-kpis).

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

## Related terms

-   [Dental practice KPIs](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-practice-kpis)
-   [Benchmark](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/benchmark)
-   [Practice analytics](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/practice-analytics)
-   [Production](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/production)

## 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)