Dentistry
Your Patients' Gums Are Killing Them Silently - And You're Missing the Revenue in It
A 56-year-old patient comes in for his routine cleaning. You note: bleeding on probing, 4-5mm pockets in the posterior region, some bone loss visible...
Public
Welcome to The Dental Signal
Opinionated takes on dental practice economics, M&A trends, and operator insights for practice owners and DSO leaders. No consultants. No vendor pitches.
Practice Economics
Q1 2026 M&A deal flow preview: mid-market is hot, solo practices aren't.
Q1 2026 M&A deal flow preview: mid-market is hot, solo practices aren't. Dental M&A pipeline for Q1 2026 shows consolidation appetite concentrated on...
Dental Practice Management
Five states expanded Medicaid dental in early 2026. Here's what it means.
Five states expanded Medicaid dental in early 2026. Here's what it means. Colorado, Kentucky, Maryland, New Mexico, and Minnesota all expanded Medicaid denta...
Dental Practice
February production dip: it's not just the weather
February production typically dips 8 to 12 percent below the prior month. Every practice owner expects it. Most think it's patient behavior.
Dentistry
Credentialing Delays Cost New Associates $8K-15K in Lost Production. Fix This Process
You just hired a great associate. They start in four weeks.
Dental Practice
The solo practice premium: why independents are worth more per chair
Private equity firms are paying 9x EBITDA for group practices. That same metric for independent dental practices is 11x to 13x. Why are they paying 20 to 40 ...
Dental Practice
Dental benefit plan design is getting worse, not better
Insurance carriers raised premiums 6. 8 percent for 2026. They didn't raise patient benefits. In fact, they narrowed them. Deductibles stayed flat.
Dental Practice
Dental Practice Working Capital: How Much Do You Actually Need
Dental practices need 3-6 months of operating expenses in working capital reserves, but 80% operate with inadequate cushion, risking crisis.
Dental Practice
Your patient data is worth $250/record on the dark web
Healthcare data breaches hit 725 incidents in 2025. Dental practices accounted for 34 of them. When a breach happens, your patient records sell for between $...
Dentistry
Practice management AI features went mainstream in early 2026. Your PMS is learning about you.
Practice management AI features went mainstream in early 2026. Your PMS is learning about you.
Dental Practice
Dental Office ADA Compliance Costs: What's Required
ADA compliance costs $6,500-15,000 for most practices and is essential to avoid lawsuits and settlements that can reach $225,000.