What Are Fixed Expenses in a Dental Practice?
Fixed Expenses are the recurring bills that a dental practice must pay to “open the doors” each month, regardless of patient flow or income earned.
They represent the baseline overhead — costs that stay the same whether you see zero patients or one hundred.
Why Do Fixed Expenses Matter for Dental Practice Owners?
Fixed expenses are unavoidable. They must be paid each month, even if income dips due to cancellations, associate illness, or seasonal slowdowns.
If fixed expenses are too high relative to revenue, practices quickly run into cash flow pressure and reduced drawings.
Example:
- Monthly fixed expenses: £48,000
- February revenue: £41,000 (due to associate illness)
- Result: £7,000 deficit, covered via overdraft, tax delay, or reduced drawings.
What are the Common Fixed Expenses in Dental Practices
| Category | Examples |
| Premises | Rent, business rates, utilities |
| Staffing | Salaried reception/admin staff, employer NI |
| Technology | PMS software, CRM, imaging systems |
| Equipment | Lease or hire-purchase agreements |
| Overheads | Insurance, CQC fees, GDC registration, CPD |
| Marketing | Retainers, fixed ad spend contracts |
How Does DentPulse Track Fixed Expenses?
| Feature | Function |
| 12-Week Buffer | Uses fixed expenses to calculate survival window |
| MCBTP™ Integration | Minimum buffer needed before timing pressure builds |
| Cash Flow Forecasting | Predicts months when fixed expenses strain liquidity |
| PPP™ Alignment | Ensures drawings don’t breach fixed expense cover |
DentPulse makes fixed expenses transparent and survivable, not just a line on your P&L.
DentPulse Tip™
“Your fixed expenses are the bills you pay whether the chairs are full or empty.
They’re the weight your business carries every month — control them tightly.”
Related Glossary Terms
- Fixed Costs – treatment-linked fixed commitments
- 12-Week Cash Buffer – survival window based on fixed expenses
- MCBTP™ – Minimum Cash Balance to Protect
- Break-Even Analysis – uses fixed + variable inputs
- Variable Costs – change with patient activity
Glossary Summary Table
| Term | Meaning |
| Fixed Expenses | Recurring bills owed each month regardless of patient flow |
| Purpose | Baseline overhead for survival analysis |
| DentPulse Advantage | Tracks, forecasts, and protects liquidity against expense pressure |
