How do orthodontic practices get more patients?

By fixing their actual constraint: more inquiries (GBP, reviews, local ads, referral relationships), a higher booking rate (phone process), or a higher close rate (TC process and financing presentation). Diagnose with one week of counting before buying anything.

How many new patient starts should a practice target?

Whatever your capacity absorbs profitably — the useful exercise is working backward: desired starts ÷ close rate ÷ booking rate = required inquiries, which prices your marketing precisely instead of by percentage rule.

What’s the fastest way to grow an orthodontic practice?

Usually the booking rate. Moving a front desk from 40% to 60% of calls booked adds double-digit consultations monthly at zero ad spend. The fastest paid lever is tightly-run local Google Ads, producing leads within weeks.

Do referrals still matter for orthodontic growth?

They’re the highest-closing inquiry source in the system. Referred families book and start above every paid channel’s rates — the referral program is the one “tactic” that touches all four numbers at once.

How to Grow Your Orthodontic Practice: The Four Numbers That Decide It

Booked To Capacity