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What Is the Treatment Profit Optimizer Index™ in Dentistry?
The Treatment Profit Optimizer Index™ (TPOI™) is a proprietary DentPulse framework, created by Shishir Khadka, that measures and ranks the profitability of dental treatments.
It calculates profit margins by factoring in lab fees, material costs, clinician pay splits, chair time, and overhead allocation — giving owners clarity on which treatments add the most (and least) to their bottom line.
Why Does the Treatment Profit Optimizer Index™ Matter for Dental Practice Owners?
Many principals assume all revenue is good revenue. In reality, some treatments generate strong profit, while others drain resources.
Without clarity:
- Associates may focus on high-turnover but low-margin treatments
- Owners may underprice advanced treatments and lose hidden profit
- Growth strategies may chase volume instead of profitability
Example:
- Invisalign: £3,500 fee → £1,500 lab + £1,000 associate + £500 overhead → Profit = £500
- Implant: £2,500 fee → £600 lab + £750 associate + £400 overhead → Profit = £750
The Implant has a lower fee but higher margin per chair hour.
How Is the Treatment Profit Optimizer Index™ Calculated?
| Component | Description |
| Revenue | Fee charged for treatment |
| Variable Costs | Lab, materials, clinical time, associate % |
| Overhead Allocation | Chair, staff, utilities, support cost |
| Profit Margin | Revenue – (Variable Costs + Allocated Overheads) |
| TPOI™ Score | Margin normalised per chair hour |
How Does DentPulse Apply the TPOI™?
| Feature | Function |
| Profit Ranking | Ranks treatments by profit contribution, not just revenue |
| Chair-Time Overlay (PCPT™) | Links profitability to chair utilisation |
| Associate Overlay (APEX™) | Tracks which associates deliver profitable treatments |
| Scenario Planning | Models pricing changes or lab fee negotiations |
| Profit-to-Pocket™ Link | Shows how treatment-level profit flows into owner income |
DentPulse makes profitability granular, visual, and actionable at the treatment level.
DentPulse Tip™
“Not every £1,000 in revenue is equal.
The TPOI™ shows which treatments grow your wealth — and which quietly erode it.”
Related Glossary Terms
- Profit Triangle™ – associates, chairs, and treatments as profit drivers
- APEX™ – measures profit contribution per associate
- PCPT™ – tracks chair-level profit performance
- Profit-to-Pocket™ – links treatment profitability to owner take-home
- Variable Costs – labs, materials, and associate pay affecting margins
Glossary Summary Table
| Term | Meaning |
| Treatment Profit Optimizer Index™ (TPOI™) | Proprietary metric ranking treatment profitability |
| Purpose | Identify and optimise the most profitable treatments |
| Created by | Shishir Khadka, Founder of DentPulse |
| DentPulse Advantage | Automated profit ranking with associate + chair overlays |
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shishir Khadka