Many dentists track annual patient value (APV) but don’t use it to make a clear decision about what kind of practice they want to build. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt talks with Miranda Beason, ACT’s co-host and education leader, about what APV reveals about your business model, why it impacts stress and schedule design, and how to calculate it using your last 12 months of collections and active patient count.

You’ll learn what low versus high APV typically looks like in day-to-day operations, what changes when you start improving it, and the first step to take this week to decide whether your current model matches your vision—listen to Episode 1015 of The Best Practices Show!

Main Takeaways

1. APV is calculated by dividing the last 12 months of collections by your active patient count.
2. APV is not just a number; it reflects the business model your practice is operating within.
3. A low APV often correlates with a high-volume, low-margin practice that feels constantly busy and stressed.
4. A higher APV allows a practice to rely on fewer patient visits while improving collections and protecting time.
5. Write-offs and insurance contractual adjustments are major drivers of a lower APV and can limit profitability.
6. Improving APV typically requires greater consistency in diagnosis, a strong periodontal protocol, and intentional scheduling strategy.
7. The first step is awareness: calculate your APV and decide if it aligns with the type of practice you want to build.

Snippets

00:00 Metric Mondays Intro

01:24 Meet Miranda and The Big Question

02:58 What Annual Patient Value Means

05:11 How to Calculate APV

06:51 Low APV Warning Signs

09:01 High APV Benefits and Mindset Shift

13:38 Real World Results and Freedom

15:23 What to Do This Week

17:27 Resources and Final Wrap Up

Guest Bio/Guest Resources

Miranda Beeson has over 25 years of clinical dental hygiene, front office, practice administration, and speaking experience. She is enthusiastic about communication and loves helping others find the power that words can bring to their patient interactions and practice dynamics. As a Lead Practice Coach, she is driven to create opportunities to find value in experiences and cultivate new approaches.

Miranda graduated from Old Dominion University, and enjoys spending time with her husband, Chuck, and her children, Trent, Mallory, and Cassidy. Family time is the best time, and is often spent on a golf course, a volleyball court, or spending the day boating at the beach.

More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:

1. The Best Practices Show: https://www.actdental.com/podcast/
2. Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpa
3. Upcoming Events & Workshops: https://www.actdental.com/events/
4. Smile Source: https://www.smilesource.com/
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