
With all dental professionals looking to earn more money this year, make 2025 the year we work smarter, not harder, says Alan Clarke.
It’s so easy to get caught up in the details and lose sight of the bigger picture. Trust me, I’ve been there more times than I can count. That patient who drains your energy, or the staff drama that consumes your free moments. Or perhaps the laughter that gets a bit too much, and before you know it, you’ve lost track of time. But in dentistry, especially as an associate, it’s vital to remain strategic.
Let 2025 be the year of strategic thinking! Let me make this crystal clear: I’m all for ethics – finances should never interfere with your ethical commitment to your patients. If you’re reading this, I know you’re the kind of associate who always puts patient care first and makes decisions with their best interests at heart.
I’m also a practice owner of Paste Dental in Belfast, and here’s something you should understand: you are your own business as an associate too. That’s a crucial realisation. Just like me, you’re operating within your own space, as part of your own brand. Now, let’s shift gears and talk about earning money – good money. Yes, the ‘dirty’ word in dentistry, right?
But in 2025, let’s get strategic about your income. Work smarter, not harder!
Let’s reflect on some key questions
- What are your financial goals for this year?
- Do you want to earn £10k a month, £20k, or is £5k enough?
- What pension contribution would you like to make?
- How much do you need for a house deposit/business class flights?
- What’s your CPD budget and strategy? How will investing in your education help you level up your earnings?
- What are your childcare costs/nursing home fees? We all have responsibilities outside of ourselves.
These questions are more than just numbers – they’re the foundation for creating a strategy that works for you.
Focus on daily yield
To hit your financial targets, you need to keep track of your daily earnings and focus on treatments that bring the highest return.
A good friend of mine once gave me this analogy: think of your day like a jar. Fill it with rocks, pebbles, and sand.
- Rocks: high-value, high-income treatments that bring the most profit
- Examples: implant surgery, composite bonding, smile makeovers, comprehensive dentistry
- Pebbles: important but lower-revenue treatments
- Examples: restorative dentistry, periodontal care
- Sand: the smaller, lower-value treatments
- Examples: routine check-ups, repairing broken teeth.
The goal is to fill your day, starting with as many ‘rocks’ as possible, before we fill the jar with pebbles and then sand! Aim to hit 75% of your target by lunchtime – anything after that is a bonus.
Set your earnings target
If your daily target is £1,000 take home, break it down: calculate your gross earnings, subtract your practice percentage, and remember to factor in lab fees. Knowing exactly what you need to earn each day will help you stay focused.
Use your team to maximum effect
Your team is your greatest resource, so use them to help you succeed:
- Nurses: empower your nurse to assist with case presentations, patient communication, and ensuring everything runs smoothly
- Upselling: be confident in presenting treatments that improve patient outcomes and increase revenue
- Time management: efficient time management is essential for maximising productivity while still providing excellent care.
In the end, earning £1k a day isn’t just about the numbers – it’s about aligning your income with your values, your purpose, and the lifestyle you want to create. Yes, dentistry is a rewarding and often lucrative career, but it’s also only one part of your bigger story.
I encourage you to take a step back and ask yourself: why are you doing this? What drives you beyond the practice? Are you working towards more than just a financial goal? How do your values shape the way you approach your work, and how can they help you live a balanced, fulfilling life?
Remember, you are more than your job. Your career is just one piece of the puzzle – don’t forget to nurture the other parts of your life, too. Your health, relationships, passions, and personal growth are just as important. In fact, when you find alignment between your financial goals and your deeper purpose, that’s when you truly begin to thrive. So, as you move into 2025 with your strategy in place, don’t just think about the numbers. Think about the life you want to lead – and how earning well can support that. Because at the end of the day, life is more than your career.
Stay strategic, stay focused, and most importantly, stay true to who you are.
Key takeaways
- Target small changes: small, consistent improvements can lead to big results over time
- Every patient should be financially generating: whether it’s a check-up or a full smile makeover, make sure every interaction has value, do not work for free. Unfortunately the NHS has relied on this culture, but free work untimely devalues public perception of your skills
- Charge for your time: communication is key – your time is your most valuable asset
- Follow what you enjoy, but be strategic: pursue the treatments you’re passionate about, but align them with profitability.
Follow Dentistry.co.uk on Instagram to keep up with all the latest dental news and trends.