ROI of acquiring a new dental patient vs. recalling an existing patient:

Metric	New Patient	Existing Patient Recall
Acquisition Cost	$100–$400 per patient	$1–$10 per patient
First-Year Revenue	$300–$800+ (could be $2K+)	$200–$600
Lifetime Value (LTV)	$1,000–$10,000+	$2,000–$10,000+ (with loyalty)
Retention Rate (Yr 2+)	~25–50%	~70–95%
Conversion Time	1–3 weeks avg	1–5 days avg
ROI Estimate	~1.5x–4x	~6x–20x

Recalling Existing Dental Patients

Example:

• Cost: $2 (SMS or postcard)

• Revenue: $400 (cleaning + x-rays, possible upsell to fillings or whitening)

• ROI: 200x (gross)

Why it works:

• Dental visits are recurring (every 6 months or annually)

• Existing patients already have treatment plans, insurance on file, and relationship with hygienist/dentist

• Preventive care (cleanings) can uncover high-value follow-ups (crowns, implants)

Acquiring New Dental Patients

Example:

• Cost: $250 (Google Ads, mailer, promo)

• Revenue: $350 (exam + X-rays + loss-leader cleaning)

• ROI: ~1.4x gross (sometimes breakeven or loss on first visit)

Challenges:

• High CPC for competitive search terms ("dentist near me", "invisalign")

• Many patients switch providers often due to price/insurance

• Higher no-show rate for first-time visits

Strategic Insight:

Retention drives profitability, while acquisition drives growth.

Practice Stage	Focus Area
Start-up or expansion	New patient acquisition
Established practice	Patient recall optimization

Example ROI (1,000-patient base):

Scenario	Cost	Conversion	Revenue/patient	Total Revenue	ROI
Recall 400 patients	$1,200	30%	$400	$48,000	40x
Acquire 400 new	$100,000	30%	$500	$60,000	0.6x

Note: Many practices are willing to operate at a loss on acquisition if LTV is high — but it’s a long game.

How to Maximize Recall ROI:

• Automated recall through Careline AI

• Reactivation campaigns: patients who haven’t visited in 12–24 months

• Seasonal prompts: use-it-or-lose-it insurance reminders, holiday whitening promos

• Incomplete treatment reactivation: follow up on unscheduled procedures

• Recalling existing dental patients gives 5–20× higher ROI than acquiring new ones

• Still acquire new patients, but automate recall to protect cash flow and production

• Higher-value procedures (crowns, bridges, Invisalign) often come from returning patients