What Is Cash Flow Analysis in Dental Practices?
Cash Flow Analysis is the process of reviewing how, when, and why money enters and leaves your dental practice — helping you identify patterns, leaks, and risks in your financial flow.
Unlike the P&L, which tracks profitability, cash flow analysis focuses on cleared funds — what hit the bank, what left it, and what the timing tells you about the health of your practice.
Why Cash Flow Analysis Matters for Dental Practice Owners?
If you’re profitable but still feel broke, cash flow analysis is where the truth lives.
Without it, you:
- Miss hidden outflows (e.g., refund spikes, lab creep, unclaimed direct debits)
- Can’t explain why a strong month still feels tight
- Mistake payment delays for real profitability
- Don’t see trends until it’s too late
Example:
You billed £98,000 in June — but £27,000 remains unpaid, £8,400 went to deposits for unstarted treatment, and £11,300 went to one-off equipment spend.
Your P&L says “great month.”
Your cash says “we’re £4,000 short.”
What Does Cash Flow Analysis Include?
| Component | Insight |
| Cash Inflows | Tracks source, timing, and reliability of income (e.g., plan vs. ad hoc) |
| Cash Outflows | Breaks down where money is going — fixed vs. variable vs. one-offs |
| Net Movement | Compares inflow vs. outflow to identify burn or surplus |
| Timing Variance | Measures gaps between income earned vs. income received |
| Recurring vs. Non-Recurring | Separates regular operating flow from unusual events |
🧠 This is the “Analyse” stage in DentPulse’s MAP Method™.
How DentPulse Performs Cash Flow Analysis Automatically
| Feature | Function |
| MAP Method™ Engine | Tracks inflow/outflow trends by category, type, and timing window |
| CFFP™ Pairing | Matches future outflows with expected inflows to test risk gaps |
| One-Off Detector | Highlights non-recurring expenses that distort cash availability |
| Income Variability Tracker | Scores consistency of inflow (e.g., plan income vs. private) |
| LIQUIDIQ™ Report | Turns your monthly cash health into a red–amber–green liquidity score |
DentPulse turns analysis into live insight — with zero spreadsheets or delay.
DentPulse Tip™
Your cash flow isn’t broken. Your visibility is.
DentPulse makes what’s really happening with your money easy to see, track, and act on — before stress hits your inbox.
Related Glossary Terms
- MAP Method™ – Manage, Analyse, Project: DentPulse’s cash strategy engine
- CFFP™ – Cash Flow Future Pairing – Forecasts inflow/outflow alignment
- Burn Rate – How fast you’re spending relative to income
- Income Variability Score – How predictable your inflow is month to month
- One-Off Expenses – Unusual costs that impact short-term cash
Glossary Summary Table
| Term | Meaning |
| Cash Flow Analysis | Diagnosing how, when, and why cash moves through your practice |
| Strategic Role | Understand patterns, find leaks, correct timing mismatches |
| Method | Part of the MAP Method™: Analyse stage |
| DentPulse Advantage | Turns raw cash data into live, colour-coded insights with zero manual tracking |
