What Are the Profit Triangle Zones (Recover, Protect, Maximise)?
The Profit Triangle Zones are a diagnostic framework inside DentPulse, created by founder Shishir Khadka, to classify a dental practice’s profitability into three clear stages:
- Recover Zone (🔴) – urgent profit repair needed
- Protect Zone (🟡) – stable but vulnerable profit position
- Maximise Zone (🟢) – optimised profitability with headroom for growth
These zones are powered by PulseBenchmark™ and applied across the three levers of the Profit Triangle™ — Associates (APEX™), Chairs (PCPT™), and Treatments (Treatment Profitability Index™).
Why Do Profit Triangle Zones Matter for Dental Practice Owners?
Most principals don’t know whether their practice is underperforming, stable, or elite compared to benchmarks. The Profit Triangle Zones give clarity by turning complex financials into a traffic-light system that:
- Shows whether margins are dangerously low (Recover)
- Confirms stability but warns against complacency (Protect)
- Highlights practices ready to scale or exit at maximum value (Maximise)
Example:
- Net Profit Margin < 7.5% → Recover Zone (🔴)
- Net Profit Margin 7.5%–10% → Protect Zone (🟡)
- Net Profit Margin > 10% → Maximise Zone (🟢)
What Do the Zones Mean in Practice?
| Zone | Definition | Implication |
| Recover (🔴) | Net profit margin < 7.5% | Profit leaks, overhead creep, cash flow strain |
| Protect (🟡) | Net profit margin 7.5–10% | Stable but vulnerable — needs monitoring |
| Maximise (🟢) | Net profit margin > 10% | Healthy, scalable, attractive to buyers |
How Does DentPulse Apply Profit Triangle Zones?
| Feature | Function |
| PulseBenchmark™ | Classifies practices into zones automatically |
| ProfitLeaks Radar™ | Identifies quick wins in Recover Zone |
| APEX™ + PCPT™ Integration | Pinpoints which associates or chairs drag profit below benchmarks |
| Scenario Planning | Models how to move from Recover → Protect → Maximise |
| Profit-to-Pocket™ Overlay | Shows what each zone means for safe take-home income |
DentPulse transforms profit benchmarking into real-time zone diagnostics, guiding owners step by step toward maximisation.
DentPulse Tip™
“Every practice is in one of three zones.
The only question is — are you recovering, protecting, or maximising?”
Related Glossary Terms
- Profit Triangle™ – framework for optimising associates, chairs, and treatments
- PulseBenchmark™ – DentPulse’s proprietary benchmarking engine
- Profit-to-Pocket™ – translates zone performance into safe take-home pay
- ProfitLeaks Radar™ – tool to identify recoverable costs
- Net Profit Margin – benchmark driver for zone classification
Glossary Summary Table
| Term | Meaning |
| Recover Zone (🔴) | Net profit < 7.5% — urgent repair needed |
| Protect Zone (🟡) | Net profit 7.5–10% — stable but at risk |
| Maximise Zone (🟢) | Net profit > 10% — optimised and scalable |
| DentPulse Advantage | Real-time classification + actionable diagnostics |