As we move through 2026, many orthodontic practices are asking the same question: Are we keeping pace with the market?
To help answer that question, we analyzed performance across OrthoFi-powered, Michigan orthodontic practices from January through May 2026. The results provide an early look at how practices are performing and where growth opportunities may exist.
Michigan Orthodontic Performance Snapshot
Across participating Michigan practices, performance through May 2026 showed:
| Metric | Jan–May 2026 | Year-Over-Year Change |
| Total Starts | 5,507 | +0.7% |
| Total Production | $30.92M | +4.9% |
| Net Production per Start | $5,614 | +4.1% |
| Case Acceptance Rate | 76.4% | +3.9 pts |
Based on aggregated performance data from OrthoFi-powered orthodontic practices in Michigan. January–May 2026 compared to the same period in 2025.
The Most Important Story Isn’t Patient Volume
At first glance, start growth appears relatively flat. Michigan practices generated just 0.7% more starts than the prior year. However, total production increased 4.9%. That gap matters.
The strongest-performing practices aren’t relying solely on increased patient volume to drive growth. They’re generating more value from each start through stronger fee discipline, improved treatment presentation, and more effective financial conversations.
In other words, growth is being driven by performance, not simply traffic.
Net Production Per Start Continues to Climb
The average Michigan practice in our network generated $5,614 in net production per start, up 4.1% year-over-year.
This metric is one of the clearest indicators of practice economics because it reflects the combined impact of:
- Fee structure
- Discounting practices
- Insurance management
- Treatment mix
- Financial presentation
When production per start rises faster than patient volume, it often signals that practices are becoming more effective at protecting revenue while maintaining patient conversion.
For practice leaders, this raises an important question: How does your net production per start compare to the Michigan benchmark?
Even small differences can translate into significant annual revenue opportunities.
Case Acceptance Is Moving in the Right Direction
Case acceptance across Michigan practices reached 76.4%, an increase of 3.9 percentage points from the same period last year.
While that may seem modest, even a three-point improvement in conversion can have a meaningful impact on annual starts and production.
What’s driving the increase? The highest-performing practices are creating more consistent consultation experiences through:
- Clear treatment recommendations
- Flexible payment options
- Transparent financial conversations
- Defined follow-up processes
- Better visibility into pending patients
Success isn’t simply about finding better treatment coordinators. It’s about building systems that make every consultation more likely to convert.
What Should Practice Leaders Watch?
The first five months of 2026 suggest that Michigan practices are finding opportunities to improve performance even in a relatively stable patient volume environment.
Three metrics deserve particular attention:
- Net Production per Start
- Case Acceptance Rate
- Production Growth Relative to Start Growth
Together, these measures provide a more complete picture of practice performance than starts alone.
How Does Your Practice Compare?
Benchmarking is often the fastest way to identify opportunities for improvement. Understanding how your production, conversion rates, and fee structure compare to Michigan peers can help uncover revenue opportunities that may otherwise go unnoticed.
If you’d like to see where your practice stands today, we’d love to connect.
