An evaluation of over 2,500 orthodontic practices highlights case acceptance charges, day by day manufacturing benchmarks, and key drivers for progress.
Planet DDS has launched its 2026 Dental Business Outlook: Deep Dive, a efficiency evaluation primarily based on information from greater than 8,500 dental practices, together with over 2,500 orthodontic practices working on Cloud 9 software program. The report identifies operational patterns separating the fastest-growing practices from the remainder of the sphere.
Orthodontic Observe Benchmarks
In line with the Cloud 9 evaluation, the typical orthodontic observe conducts 633.5 new affected person exams yearly and maintains a 68.3% case acceptance charge for remedy. The information notes that orthodontics represents the specialty with the best upside for progress.
The report categorizes orthodontic observe efficiency into 4 bands primarily based on day by day manufacturing:
- Finest Observe: $14,500 or extra (elite throughput)
- Sturdy: $9,400 to $14,500 (wholesome operations)
- At Threat: $5,900 to $9,400 (underperforming)
- Excessive Alternative: Lower than $5,900 (main leakage)
Throughout all supplier sorts, the typical day by day manufacturing for an orthodontist is $6,279.
Case Acceptance and Manufacturing Raise
The report particulars the manufacturing sensitivity associated to case acceptance inside the Cloud 9 community. A 5-point enchancment within the common case acceptance charge—elevating it to 73.3%—would lead to an estimated day by day manufacturing carry of $925,000 throughout the community, or an extra $942 per observe per day. A ten-point enchancment to 78.3% case acceptance may yield a $409 million annual carry throughout the community.
Basic Business Progress Drivers
Past specialty-specific information, the report outlines broader trade traits affecting all dental service organizations and solo practices. New affected person acquisition is recognized because the strongest progress predictor. Practices buying 75 or extra new sufferers per 30 days develop at 9.0%, almost double the speed of mid-volume practices. Progress charges speed up meaningfully as soon as a observe reaches about 35 new sufferers per 30 days.
Operational consistency can be a main issue. Probably the most constant practices develop by 6.1% and produce 28% extra income per day, whereas probably the most risky 10% of practices shrink by 3.4%.
Moreover, the report signifies that case completion, quite than case acceptance, acts as the first operational bottleneck. The trade common completion charge sits at 47%. Practices with a reasonable 10-to-30-point hole between acceptance and completion develop the quickest as a result of robust scheduling self-discipline, whereas practices with a 50-point hole or extra settle for circumstances they finally don’t full.
“The trade is splitting. One-third of practices grew by greater than 10% final yr. Almost 14% declined by greater than 10%. The center is getting squeezed. The practices which might be successful discovered the basics. That’s what is making the distinction,” says Eric Giesecke, chief govt officer of Planet DDS, in a launch.
The information was collected consecutively all through 2024 and 2025, masking $6.79 billion in gross manufacturing throughout 497 dental service organizations.
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