What Is Cash Flow Prediction in a Dental Practice?
Cash flow prediction is the process of estimating a dental practice’s future cash inflows and outflows using historical trends and real-time data.
In DentPulse, this is powered by CFFP™ – Cash Flow Future Pairing, a proprietary method created by DentPulse founder, Shishir Khadka. CFFP™ pairs each future cash inflow with its corresponding future cash outflow, ensuring today’s cash remains intact and all future commitments are covered within a 13-week window.
Why Cash Flow Prediction Matters for Dental Practice Owners
Dental practices face unique timing challenges:
- NHS payments arrive monthly, often weeks after work is done
- Private treatments may be prepaid but delivered over several months
- High-value lab bills and tax liabilities can hit unexpectedly
Without accurate prediction:
- You can appear “cash-rich” now but be cash-poor in weeks
- Payroll, suppliers, and tax payments can cause overdraft use
- Expansion decisions might be made without enough liquidity
Example:
- Bank balance today: £82,000
- NHS payment due in 6 weeks
- £94,000 in scheduled outflows over the next 8 weeks
→ Without prediction, the £12,000 shortfall is only spotted when it’s too late.
What Cash Flow Prediction Tracks
| Element | Description |
| Confirmed Inflows | NHS contract income, plan membership fees, patient collections |
| Forecasted Inflows | Work in progress (WIP) expected to complete in period |
| Fixed Outflows | Payroll, rent, loans, leases |
| Variable Outflows | Labs, materials, marketing, utilities |
| One-Off Events | Equipment purchases, tax payments, clawbacks |
How DentPulse Predicts Cash Flow Automatically
| Feature | Function |
| CFFP™ Engine | Matches every inflow to the outflow it will fund |
| 13-Week Forecast View | Short-term liquidity roadmap |
| Scenario Planner | Tests impact of hires, equipment, or cost changes |
| Red–Amber–Green Alerts | Warns before cash dips below MCBTP™ |
| LIQUIDIQ™ Integration | Converts predictions into a live liquidity score |
DentPulse turns cash flow prediction into an always-on early warning system — replacing reactive firefighting with proactive planning.
DentPulse Tip™
A healthy bank balance today doesn’t guarantee a healthy balance in 6 weeks.
Cash flow prediction — especially with CFFP™ — shows you the real picture.
Related Glossary Terms
- CFFP™ – Cash Flow Future Pairing – Proprietary DentPulse pairing method
- MCBTP™ – Minimum Cash Balance to Protect – Your liquidity safety net
- LIQUIDIQ™ – Live liquidity scoring
- Cash Flow Gap – The shortfall between inflows and outflows
- 12-Week Cash Buffer – Your medium-term resilience measure
Glossary Summary Table
| Term | Meaning |
| Cash Flow Prediction | Estimating future inflows/outflows using historical and real-time data |
| DentPulse Advantage | Automated 13-week forecast with CFFP™ pairing |
| Purpose | Prevent shortfalls, protect liquidity, plan with confidence |
