Why Your Aging A/R Keeps Growing (Even When Production Looks Good)

Written By Rebecca Cook

Let’s say your production numbers look strong this month. Schedules are full. Hygienists are booked out. Everything feels busy.

But then you run the A/R report…
And your 60–90+ day balances are climbing. Again.

What gives?

The Truth About Aging A/R in General Dentistry

At CDT Professionals, we see it all the time: practices that look successful on the surface, but under the hood, cash flow is unpredictable and outstanding claims keep piling up.

If that’s you, it’s not because you’re doing something wrong. It’s because you’re missing a few key systems.

Top 4 Reasons Aging A/R Sneaks Up on You

1. Claims Are “Out”—But No One Owns the Follow-Up
 If your claims go out but no one tracks their progress, denials and delays build up fast.

2. Patient Balances Get Lost in the Shuffle
 When front desk teams are busy checking in patients and answering calls, balances can slip through the cracks—especially if estimates were off.

3. No Time Set Aside for A/R Review
 Most practices don’t block out time to work their A/R. It becomes a “when we have time” task that never gets done.

4. EOBs Aren’t Matched to What Was Expected
 When no one’s comparing EOBs to the original estimate, underpayments and missed adjustments go unnoticed.

The “Good Month, Bad Collections” Pattern

Here’s what Rebecca Cook, CDT’s founder, has to say:

“We’ve seen clients with amazing production numbers—and thousands in unpaid claims. That’s not a billing disaster. It’s a systems gap. Once we tighten it up, the collections finally catch up to the work being done.”

Try This: 15-Minute A/R Check

✅ Pull your A/R report by aging buckets
✅ Highlight anything 60+ days that’s over $500
✅ Check how many claims have no follow-up note in Open Dental
✅ Review top 5 patient balances and why they haven’t been paid

If you’re seeing a pattern, it’s time for a new process—not just a new person.

How CDT Can Help

We offer A/R cleanup, structured follow-up systems, and full-service billing built for Open Dental. Whether you need temporary support or long-term partnership, we’ll help you:

  • Collect what you’ve earned

  • Get clear on what’s holding up payments

  • Give your team tools that work—without burning them out

Don’t let aging A/R drag down a growing practice. Let’s clean it up.
 CDT Professionals. Results without the chaos.


Rebecca Cook
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