Choosing a dental consultant is a critical decision that can directly impact the future of your practice. Bringing in outside expertise can be a game-changer for navigating an expectation, practice transition, and more.
But here’s the catch: not all consultants understand the dental industry the way you need them to. Some offer generic advice. Others lack real-world experience with private practices. And some just aren’t a great fit.
So how do you separate the experts from the empty promises? It starts with asking the right questions. If you’re trying to figure out how to evaluate a dental consultant, you’re in the right place.
Below we share seven strategic, revealing questions to ask a dental consultant to help you make a confident, informed choice.
1. What Experience Do You Have with Dental Practices Like Mine?
Not every consultant has walked in the shoes of a practice owner, or even understands what makes a dental office tick. They should know the unique aspects of the industry and have experience with practices like yours.
Have they worked with startup practices? Multi-location offices? Fee-for-service models? Or maybe practices in small-town markets? This is one of the most important questions to ask a dental practice consultant because relevance matters. If they haven’t solved problems like yours, how can they help you solve them now?
2. Do You Offer Both Financial and Operational Consulting?
Some consultants focus solely on marketing or hiring. Others dive deep into your books but leave operational inefficiencies untouched. Ideally, your consultant should be fluent in both the numbers and the systems that drive them. You want someone who can help optimize cash flow, analyze profit margins, reduce inefficiencies, and spot risks before they become problems.
3. How Do You Tailor Your Services to Fit My Practice?
No two dental offices operate the same way, even if they offer the same services. Your consultant should recognize that. Instead of pulling solutions from a one-size-fits-all playbook, the best advisors take time to understand your goals, your team, your systems, and your local market. Ask them how they go about creating custom strategies. Do they ask about your specific pain points or jump right into a pitch? That tells you everything.
4. Which KPIs and Metrics Do You Focus On?
Dental practices generate a lot of data, but knowing which numbers matter is key. Ask which KPIs they use to measure performance and why. If they can’t clearly explain how metrics connect to outcomes, that’s a red flag. Remember: your numbers should be telling a story. A great consultant helps you read it and rewrite it for better results.
5. What Does Your Ongoing Support Look Like?
Some consultants do a one-time practice assessment and then disappear. Others build long-term relationships and act more like a strategic advisor. You need to know what kind of support you’re signing up for. Find out if they meet monthly and what their reporting process is. Furthermore, you need to know what happens if there’s an urgent issue in between. If you prefer consistency and accountability, this question is a must.
6. How Well Do You Understand Dental-Specific Tax and Compliance Issues?
Here’s a big one that’s often missed. A dental consultant might be great at workflow design or team training, but if they’re not well-versed in the financial and regulatory side of dentistry, you run a huge risk. Ask about their understanding of dental tax strategies, including Section 179, Section 199A, and how they help practices minimize liability while staying compliant. Especially if you’re searching for a dental consultant in Tennessee, make sure they understand both federal and state regulations that impact your practice.
7. Can I Speak with Some of Your Dental Clients?
References offer a real-world look at what it’s like to work with the consultant. Ask to speak with current or former clients, ideally ones with similar practice sizes or business goals. This is where you learn whether the consultant delivers results or just good presentations. Pay attention to how clients describe the consultant’s communication style, flexibility, and impact.
Why Davis & Cole is the Top Dental Consultant in Tennessee
If you’re searching for a qualified dental consultant in Tennessee to help you improve your practice, count on Davis & Cole. We’ve worked closely with dental professionals across North America who are serious about growing smarter, not just bigger. We blend financial expertise with industry insight, giving dentists a clearer path toward long-term success.
If you’re looking for a proven, proactive dental consultant in Tennessee, we’re ready to help you move forward with confidence.
Let’s talk. Book your consultation today and discover how Davis & Cole can help your dental practice thrive.
