Do You Have a Production Addiction? It’s Time For a Financial Intervention

Are you producing more than ever… but still not seeing it in your bank account? If that hits close to home, this might just be the wake-up call your dental practice needs. Episode 2 of the NextLevel Practice Podcast takes on dental practice profitability, showing you how to earn more without working longer hours.

Host and CEO Kelly Dahmer pulls back the curtain on one of the biggest financial traps dentists fall into: the addiction to production. We’re talking about dentists who are crushing their numbers—but still feeling broke.

Let’s break down what’s really happening, why it’s not your fault, and what to do about it.

Why Dentists Feel Stuck—Even When They’re “Successful”

More than 60% of dentists report living paycheck to paycheck—even when they own their practice.

Why? Because they’ve been trained to focus on production, not profit.

You can produce $2 million a year and still barely bring home six figures. That’s not just frustrating—it’s unsustainable.

Dentists across the country are stuck on the same hamster wheel:
More ops. More hours. More patients.

And still… not enough in the bank.

You Don’t Need More Production—You Need a Mindset Shift

Take Dr. Susan, for example. She was producing over $2.1 million annually.
But her take-home? Just $150k.

She was burned out, overworked, and felt guilty about making money. She thought “doing more” was the answer.

But here’s what actually changed everything:

• • She kept the same hours

• • She raised her fees—fairly and confidently.

• • She tightened up her financial systems.

• • Her team learned how to talk about money and value with patients.

• • She stopped discounting and writing off treatment.

Six months later? Her take-home pay had doubled—with zero extra hours.

3 Simple Steps to Rewire Your Money Mindset

Want to start shifting from production to profit today? Try these:

1. Know Your Real Hourly Worth

Take your actual take-home pay, divide it by hours worked.
Shocked? That number is your truth. If it’s lower than expected, it’s time to restructure.

2. Create a “Profit First” Practice

Before chasing higher production, ask:

• • Are you collecting all you’re owed?

• • Are you enforcing payment policies?

• • Are you eliminating unnecessary write-offs?

Start there.

3. Challenge Your Hidden Beliefs About Money

Many dentists carry subconscious beliefs like “Making money is greedy,” or “Success means sacrifice.”  It’s time to rewrite those scripts. A profitable practice doesn’t mean giving up your values—or your life.

From Burnout to Breakthrough: It’s Time for a New Way

Too many dentists are trapped in a cycle of burnout—believing their only option is to work harder, add more chairs, extend hours, or see more patients. But that path only leads to exhaustion, not freedom.

Here’s the truth: You became a dentist to help people, build a great life, and create lasting impact—not to hustle for every dollar.

The breakthrough comes when you realize that your systems, beliefs, and financial boundaries are more important than production alone.

When your money mindset aligns with your mission, everything starts working with you—not against you.

You get to:

• • Build a team that believes in the value of care

• • Create financial clarity and consistency

• • Finally take home what you’re actually worth

This episode of the NextLevel Practice Podcast isn’t just another pep talk—it’s a practical, proven path out of production addiction and into profitability.

Recap: What You Learned in Episode 2

Let’s sum it up:

• • Production ≠ Profit: Stop chasing volume and start chasing value.

• • You can earn more—without working more—by upgrading your systems and mindset.

• • Your money beliefs shape your practice. Change them, and your whole business transforms.

Bonus: Benchmark Your Practice Expenses

Want to see how your overhead stacks up against the top 10% of practices?
Download our Practice Expense Benchmarks

This simple tool helps you identify where your money’s leaking—and where you can instantly tighten up.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between production and profit in a dental practice?
Production refers to how much revenue your practice generates, but profit is what you actually take home after expenses. Many dentists get stuck chasing production numbers, but the real goal is to increase profit by improving financial systems and aligning with your values.

Why are so many dentists struggling financially despite high production?
It’s often because they focus too much on increasing production (more hours, more patients) without addressing the financial systems that impact their bottom line. Without proper financial management, you can still feel financially strained even with high production.

How can I change my money mindset in dentistry?
Start by challenging subconscious beliefs like “making money is greedy.” Shift to a “profit first” mentality—focus on collecting all that you’re owed, tightening up financial systems, and setting fair pricing. This mindset shift will improve both your practice’s financial health and your personal well-being.

How can I earn more without working more hours?
You can earn more by raising your fees, tightening financial systems, eliminating unnecessary write-offs, and empowering your team to communicate value with patients. It’s about working smarter, not harder.

Listen & Subscribe to the NextLevel Practice Podcast

If this episode gave you a new perspective, share it with a colleague, and don’t miss what’s coming next.

Subscribe now to the NextLevel Practice Podcast—your no-fluff guide to building a practice that’s profitable, purposeful, and sustainable.

Available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.