Expanding your range of services is one of the most powerful and sustainable ways to boost your dental practice revenue by 50%. It enables you to increase the average revenue per patient, attract new patient demographics, and retain more services in-house rather than referring them out to specialists.
Many practices are already operating at or near full capacity, but they’re not maximizing the value of each patient visit. By adding high-margin services and responding to emerging patient needs, you can grow revenue significantly without increasing your patient volume.
Add High-Value, High-Demand Procedures
Certain services not only deliver higher fees but are also in strong patient demand. These include:
1. Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic treatments are often elective, cash-based, and high-margin.
- Teeth Whitening: Simple to implement with take-home kits or in-office systems like Zoom Whitening. Add-ons like whitening touch-ups are recurring revenue.
- Veneers and Bonding: Requires precise esthetic skills but offers large case fees ($1,000–$2,500 per tooth).
- Tooth Contouring or Smile Design: Many adults seek non-invasive cosmetic upgrades; position these services as lifestyle-enhancing, not medically necessary.
Marketing Tip: Bundle services (e.g., “Smile Makeover Packages”) and feature before-and-after photos on your website and social media.
2. Invisalign and Clear Aligners
Adding clear aligner therapy can easily generate tens of thousands in added revenue per year.
- Case fees range from $3,000 to $7,000.
- Aligners can often be managed by your existing team with proper training.
- Align Tech, SureSmile, or ClearCorrect provide support and educational resources.
Stat: According to Invisalign, practices see a 20–30% increase in production within the first year of offering aligners.
3. Dental Implants
Implants are among the highest-ticket procedures in dentistry.
- Even a single-tooth replacement can bring in $3,000–$6,000.
- Full arch restorations (All-on-4 or All-on-6) can reach $25,000–$40,000 per case.
If you’re not placing implants yourself:
- Train through reputable CE providers like the Misch Institute, Implant Pathway, or ICOI.
- Start with simple cases, then expand as your confidence and equipment grow.
- Alternatively, bring in a visiting oral surgeon or periodontist to do the surgical part, and you handle the restoration.
Add Specialty Services Without Hiring Full-Time Staff
If hiring a full-time specialist isn’t feasible, consider offering limited in-house specialist availability by contracting on specific days:
- Endodontics: Root canals are high-value but often referred out. Bringing them in-house prevents revenue leakage.
- Periodontics: Many practices miss out on periodontal surgery or laser-assisted treatment.
- Oral Surgery: Third molar extractions and surgical extractions can be scheduled in monthly blocks.
Patients love the convenience of not having to visit a second office, and you retain control of the experience and outcomes.
Integrate Wellness and Preventive Services
Patients are increasingly seeking holistic care. Integrating wellness options enhances your value proposition:
1. Sleep Apnea and Airway Dentistry
- Custom oral appliances for sleep apnea (OSA) are in demand and often covered by medical insurance.
- Training and certification (through AADSM or similar) can enable you to offer sleep studies, assessments, and appliance therapy.
- Billing medical insurance for sleep devices opens up new revenue streams.
Revenue Impact: Oral appliance therapy can range from $2,000–$4,000 per case, with little lab or material cost.
2. Oral Cancer Screenings and Saliva Testing
- Use adjunctive diagnostic tools like VELscope, Identafi, or OralID.
- Offer salivary diagnostics for inflammation, HPV, or bacterial loads.
Positioning these as part of routine wellness adds value and builds patient trust.
Offer In-House Membership Plans
If a large percentage of your patient base is uninsured or underinsured, creating your own membership plan can dramatically improve treatment acceptance and retention.
Annual plans might include:
2 cleanings
X-rays and exams
Discounts on all other services (10–20%)
Charge $25–40/month or $300–500/year.
Services like Kleer, BoomCloud, or Smile Advantage can help set this up.
Revenue Boost: Members spend 2–3x more annually than non-members due to improved retention and trust.
Pediatric, Geriatric, or Sedation Dentistry
Broadening the types of patients you serve can increase patient flow and open up underserved segments.
- Pediatric Dentistry: Consider offering early orthodontic assessments, sealants, fluoride treatments, and nitrous sedation.
- Geriatric Dentistry: Mobile services, implant-supported dentures, and special needs care.
- Sedation Dentistry: Adding nitrous, oral, or IV sedation can expand your reach to fearful or medically complex patients.
Patients are often willing to travel further for these specialized services, improving regional visibility.
Bundle and Upsell Treatments
Train your team to ethically bundle or recommend complementary treatments:
- Whitening after Invisalign
- Fluoride with cleanings
- Bite guards after major restorative work
- Sealants for adult molars at high risk
These small add-ons can increase the average transaction size significantly without extending chair time.
Invest in Training and CE
Adding new services starts with confidence and skill. Here’s how to get there:
- Dedicate a portion of your budget to continuing education (at least $3,000–$5,000 annually).
- Attend workshops and hands-on courses (e.g., Spear Education, Kois Center, Pankey Institute).
- Join a clinical mastermind group or study club to fast-track implementation.
Also, ensure your team is trained, front desk should understand how to explain new services and financing; assistants and hygienists should be prepared to support the procedures.
Promote New Services Effectively
Simply adding a service doesn’t mean patients will know or ask for it. Market your expanded offerings through:
- Website updates with landing pages for each new service
- Email campaigns to existing patients
- In-office signage and chairside conversations
- Social media promotions with educational videos or case stories
Don’t assume patients know what’s possible — educate them consistently and clearly.
Summary: Unlock Revenue by Expanding What You Offer
Adding new services is more than diversification — it’s an investment in the future relevance, competitiveness, and profitability of your practice. When done thoughtfully, it increases:
- Revenue per visit
- Patient retention
- Referral opportunities
- Practice valuation (if you plan to sell or expand)
Start by identifying 2–3 services that align with your patient base and skills, implement them with proper training, and market them effectively. Over time, service expansion can account for a major share of your 50% revenue growth goal.