KPIs Every Entrepreneur (and Dentist) Should Track for Financial Freedom
Luxury brands don’t leave excellence to chance. They measure it. Every detail of craftsmanship, every client interaction, every innovation is tied to KPIs and OKRs.
Dentistry — and entrepreneurship in general — should be no different. Yet here’s the hard truth:
A 2024 ADA Health Policy Institute study shows the median planned retirement age for dentists is 69 — seven years later than the average American worker.
Why? Because too many measure revenue, but not freedom.
This isn’t just a dentistry problem. It’s an entrepreneur problem. Whether you’re a founder, a startup leader, or a business owner, financial freedom comes from tracking the right metrics.
The Dental Reality Check (2024 Data)
Dentists are high earners — but many aren’t financially free. According to the ADA Health Policy Institute (2024):
The median planned retirement age is 69, compared to 62 for the average U.S. worker.
73% expect to rely on retirement savings, and 55% expect to rely on selling their practice as part of retirement income.
Yet fewer than 20% feel very confident they’ll have enough to maintain their lifestyle.
Translation: practice sales alone are not a retirement plan. Debt, late planning, and measuring the wrong numbers keep freedom out of reach.
Macro vs. Micro KPIs: The Full Picture
When I coach dentists and entrepreneurs, I separate KPIs into two categories: macro (big picture, CEO-level outcomes) and micro (system-level levers). Both matter.
Macro KPIs – The Destination
These are the scoreboard metrics. They tell you if your business model is healthy and if you’re moving toward freedom.
Operating Income (profit after expenses)
Cashflow (how much is left after debt service and expenses)
Net Worth Growth (personal + practice assets over time)
Debt-to-Income Ratio (how much of revenue is consumed by obligations)
Exit Value (what the practice or company could realistically sell for)
👉 These answer: Are we winning the long game?
Micro KPIs – The Inputs
These are the levers your team pulls daily. They roll up into the P&L and ultimately drive the macro results.
Hygiene Production vs. Hygiene Salary → measures ROI of the hygiene department
Hygiene Production as % of Total Production → tracks balance between hygiene and doctor-driven revenue
Restorative Production → shows consistency of doctor-side productivity
Restorative Production per Exam → case acceptance and communication efficiency
Other critical micro levers I watch with clients:
Case Acceptance %
Same-Day Treatment %
AR Days Outstanding
Production per Hour
Recall Reappointment %
Overhead by Category
→ These answer: Are our systems strong enough to support growth?
My Story: Taking the Plunge
When I graduated in 2013, I carried $427,000 in student loans at 7.8% interest.
By 2015, I was making $350K as an associate. My parents and financial advisor told me: Don’t risk it. Don’t buy.
But I took the plunge.
I purchased a small practice for $400K, generating just $30K/month in revenue.
On paper: risky.
In hindsight: no risk at all.
Within 4 years:
I was debt-free
I purchased my second home
I remodeled it with cash
I began funding my retirement
I was a baby dentist with a baby mindset — but I had a willingness to take control and win. That combined with mentors and coaches made me unstoppable.
Today, I oversee $25M in revenue across my partner practices, helping dentists and entrepreneurs:
Build net worth
Decrease debt
Protect quality of life while scaling
Final Thought: Excellence is Measured
Excellence isn’t just about your clinical results, your brand image, or your revenue.
It’s about whether you’ve built a future that is:
✔️ Debt-free
✔️ Scalable
✔️ Sustainable
Revenue doesn’t equal freedom.
Micro KPIs build the systems.
Macro KPIs prove the outcomes.
The right KPIs don’t just measure success — they create it.
– Dr. Megan Shelton
Shelton Solutions
Open your mind, optimize your systems, improve your life.
If you’re a dentist or entrepreneur questioning your next move:
→ Are you tracking KPIs that guarantee freedom, or just growth?
Because what you measure is what you build.
