Stop Guessing. Start Leading. How to Read Your KPIs and Make Better Business Decisions

Why do so many dental practice owners have access to plenty of numbers — but still struggle to know which ones should guide their decisions? In this episode of the Insurance Untangled Podcast, host Manjali Kulathunga sits down with Kristie Kapp, Co-Founder of EBITDent.co, to discuss how dental practice owners can stop guessing, start leading, and use their KPIs to make better business decisions. Kristie explains why the problem is not usually a lack of data. Most practices already have dashboards, reports, and performance metrics. The real challenge is knowing which numbers actually matter, how they connect to the profit and loss statement, and how to turn those insights into confident leadership decisions. The conversation explores the KPIs every practice owner should understand, the mistakes that happen when owners react emotionally to incomplete data, and how to create a rhythm of daily huddles, weekly meetings, and monthly scorecards that turns numbers into meaningful action. Kristie also shares how leaders can introduce KPIs without making the team feel watched or judged. Instead, the right numbers can create clarity, shared accountability, and a stronger sense of winning together. Whether you are a solo practice owner, managing a growing team, or trying to improve profitability without guessing your way through decisions, this episode will help you understand how to use your numbers as a leadership tool — not a source of pressure. Topics discussed include: • Why dental practices struggle to turn data into better decisions • Which KPIs matter most for practice profitability • How KPIs connect to the profit and loss statement • Common mistakes owners make when reviewing metrics • Why incomplete data can lead to poor business decisions • How to introduce KPIs without making the team feel judged • Creating shared accountability through numbers • The role of daily huddles, weekly meetings, and monthly scorecards • How to turn insight into action and lead with more confidence Connect with Kristie Kapp: Co-Founder, EBITDent.co Insurance Untangled is dedicated to helping dental practice owners navigate growth, operations, insurance, leadership, marketing, profitability, and smarter business decision-making through conversations with industry experts and successful practice leaders.