What Is a Cash Flow Gap in Dental Practices?
A Cash Flow Gap is the time-based mismatch between when your cash inflows arrive and when your cash outflows are due — creating temporary shortfalls even in otherwise healthy, profitable dental practices.
It’s not about how much you earn — it’s about when money lands vs when bills hit.
Why Cash Flow Gaps Matter for Dental Practice Owners
Most dental practices don’t fail because they’re unprofitable.
They fail because cash leaves faster than it arrives.
Common culprits:
- Treatment paid in installments, but lab fees due upfront
- Associate payroll before patient payments clear
- NHS payments arriving quarterly, but monthly fixed costs don’t wait
- Finance or plan income delays vs. weekly supplier debits
Example:
You earn £34,000 in Invisalign starts this month.
But £19,000 is paid in installments, £6,000 of lab costs are due now, and you’ve already paid the associate £15,000.
Without timing logic, your bank feels squeezed — even when revenue looks fine.
What Causes Cash Flow Gaps in Dentistry?
| Cause | Example |
| Delayed Income | Payment plans, NHS clawbacks, insurance or finance delays |
| Upfront Outgoings | Lab bills, staff wages, loan repayments |
| Unearned Income | Deposits taken but not yet earned (deferred) |
| Drawing Schedules | Owner drawings that ignore future obligations |
| Unforecasted Costs | Equipment purchases, repair bills, associate overpayment |
This mismatch is what DentPulse solves using CFFP™ – Cash Flow Future Pairing.
How DentPulse Detects and Closes Cash Flow Gaps
| Feature | Function |
| CFFP™ Engine | Pairs future cash in vs. future cash out — by week or day |
| MCBTP™ Alerts | Flags when your cash reserves will fall below minimum safe levels |
| Timing Variance Tracker | Highlights earned income vs. received cash gaps |
| Pressure Forecast | Predicts upcoming shortfalls before they hit your bank |
| Income Lag Analysis | Shows how long it takes each treatment type to clear to bank |
DentPulse doesn’t just report gaps — it shows you where, when, and why they happen.
DentPulse Tip™
You don’t go broke because of profit.
You go broke because of timing.DentPulse helps you control that timing with predictive clarity — not gut feel or spreadsheet guesswork.
Related Glossary Terms
- CFFP™ – Cash Flow Future Pairing – DentPulse’s predictive cash logic
- MCBTP™ – Minimum Cash Before Timing Pressure – Liquidity safety floor
- Deferred Income – Earned later, received now
- 12-Week Cash Buffer – Operational window for surviving timing gaps
- Timing Logic – Aligns cash flow to real-world bill and pay schedules
Glossary Summary Table
| Term | Meaning |
| Cash Flow Gap | A mismatch in timing between income received and expenses due |
| Risk | Causes shortfalls even when profitable on paper |
| Common Triggers | Upfront costs, delayed income, poor forecast discipline |
| DentPulse Advantage | Predicts and neutralises timing gaps using CFFP™, buffer tracking, and liquidity alerts |
