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In this episode, we shift the focus from chasing new patients to strengthening one of the most overlooked drivers of growth—patient retention. Many practices are working hard to bring patients in, while unknowingly allowing just as many to slip out the back door.

When recall systems are inconsistent or over-reliant on email and text, patients fall through the cracks. And without clear tracking, most practices don't even realize how many they've lost.

We discuss how poor retention impacts production, schedule stability, and long-term growth—and what practice owners and teams must do to re-engage overdue patients, clean up their systems, and create a more reliable path to growth.

If you want a fuller schedule, stronger patient relationships, and better results without constantly increasing your marketing spend, this episode will challenge how you think about retention.

What You'll Learn • Why most practices don't know their true patient retention rate • How ineffective recall systems quietly reduce production • The risks of relying only on email and text communication

Special Thanks to Our Sponsors: 📣 Identity Dental Marketing – Strategic, ethical, brand-aligned marketing that works. Learn more at identitydental.com

📊 Practice by Numbers – A unified platform that brings performance, workflows, and insights into one system—creating accountability without pressure and helping practices make smarter, data-driven decisions. Learn more at practicebynumbers.com

📲 Join the conversation! What has made the biggest impact on patient retention in your practice? Share your experience in the Dental Drill Bits Facebook Group—we may feature it in a future episode.

Upcoming Event Front Desk Pro In-Person Seminar May 8, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana

www.classicpractice.com

Promo code for $100 off tuition: Secret Sauce