In a recent episode of Beyond Bitewings, host Ash welcomed CJ Carroll from Dental Intelligence to talk about something many practice owners wrestle with: turning mountains of practice data into meaningful, actionable insights.

CJ works with more than 12,000 practices across the country and has seen firsthand how analytics can drive growth when used the right way. While every practice collects information through its management software, whether Dentrix, Eaglesoft, or Open Dental, most of that data stays buried. Dental Intelligence helps surface it in a clearer, more user-friendly way.

What Analytics Can Reveal

CJ highlighted a few key performance indicators (KPIs) that can shine a spotlight on both strengths and weak spots in a practice:

• Hygiene reappointment percentage: A measure that can make or break long-term patient retention.
• Provider pulse: A breakdown of production by provider, showing where inefficiencies or training opportunities might exist.
• Morning huddles: Reports designed to prepare the team for the day’s patients, making conversations more focused and productive.

For owners, these numbers also tie directly into compensation agreements with associates, helping ensure arrangements are fair and financially sustainable.

Accuracy Matters

As CJ explained, analytics are only as good as the data that goes in. One common mistake is leaving old treatment plans open in the system. While some practices think they need to “clean house” before using an analytics platform, CJ suggests the opposite: let the software expose those gaps so they can be addressed systematically over time.

Growing Without More Marketing Spend

A surprising takeaway was that many practices already have untapped growth potential sitting in their systems. Dental Intelligence often reveals outstanding treatment that hasn’t been scheduled or patients who haven’t been back in 18 months. Instead of sinking more money into marketing, a practice can reactivate these patients and see significant production gains.

Using Data for Smarter Management

Beyond tracking growth and retention, analytics can support bonus structures or compensation plans by tying completed tasks to actual production. That makes it easier for owners to evaluate whether incentive programs are really working.

Your practice already has the numbers it needs to grow. The challenge is translating that information into action. As CJ and Ash discussed, analytics can be a powerful tool for making better decisions, boosting patient retention, and supporting team performance without the guesswork.