77: The State of Dentistry in 2025: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities

Hey, everyone. This is an AI conversation covering our recent personally authored blog post on our Practice Orbit website. Enjoy.

Hey, everyone, and welcome back for another deep dive with us.

All right.

This time, we're going to be looking at the state of dentistry in 2025.

Okay.

We've got some recent surveys and reports that we're going to be pulling from.

Sounds good.

And, yeah, we'll be looking at everything from, you know, dentist compensation to the hottest locations to practice to some of the biggest challenges and. And emerging opportunities that dentists are facing today.

Okay.

So think of this as your personalized cheat sheet to understanding what's happening in the world of dentistry.

It really is a fascinating time to be in the industry. There's a lot of change happening, for sure.

For sure.

A lot of positive momentum, but also some headwinds that I think we should talk about.

Absolutely. Yeah. So let's jump right in and let's talk about money.

All right.

Let's talk about the financial health of dentistry. Are dentists raking it in or are they struggling to keep their practices afloat?

Well, you know, it's interesting. It's a bit of a mixed bag.

Okay.

There's a kind of a tale of two groups here.

Okay.

You know, we've got the practice owners, and then we've got the associate dentists.

Gotcha.

And it looks like there's a pretty significant income gap between the two.

Really?

Yeah. Over half of practice owners that were surveyed are happy with their compensation.

Okay.

But less than half of associates said the same thing.

Interesting. So why? Why is that?

Well, ownership is definitely a big factor. You know, if you look at the numbers, in 2024, the average income for a practice owner was $320,316.

Okay.

While associates averaged $225,929.

Gotcha.

So, you know, both groups are earning well above the national average.

That's good.

But there's still a noticeable difference there.

So is. Is owning a practice like the golden ticket to financial success in dentistry?

You know, it's definitely a major factor, but it's not the whole story. Practice size, location, even just how efficiently a practice is run can impact income.

Interesting.

We're seeing practice owners make anywhere from $100,000 to $8,100,000.

Wow. That is a huge range.

It is.

So some dentists are living the high life and others are barely getting by.

Yeah.

What contributes to such a big difference?

Well, specialization is definitely one factor.

Okay.

You know, dentists who focus on high demand areas like orthodontics or Cosmetic dentistry tend to command higher fees.

Makes sense.

And then location is also a big one.

Location, location, location.

Right, exactly. Just like in real estate, where you hang, your drill matters.

So where's the best place to be a dentist right now?

Well, right now, dentists in New Hampshire are enjoying the highest average salary in the country.

Huh. Interesting.

At $260,380.

New Hampshire of all places.

Yeah.

Why is that?

Well, costs of living and demand probably play a part.

Okay.

Some states just have a higher need for dental care, maybe due to an aging population or lower lack of access to affordable care in certain areas.

Right, yeah, that makes sense.

So, you know, it's not just about being a good dentist. It's about understanding the market.

Yeah. Being a good business person as well.

Exactly. You need to understand the demographics, the competition, the overall economic climate of the area.

For sure. For sure. Well, and speaking of rising salaries.

Yeah.

It's not just dentists in certain states who are seeing a boost. Dental hygienists are also doing pretty well.

Oh, yeah, absolutely.

And seeing their paychecks increase.

That's right.

Quite a bit.

They saw their average salary climb to $81,627 in 2024.

Wow.

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You know, it makes you wonder if this upward trend is happening for other support roles as well.

Yeah, you would think so. Like assistance office staff. You would think maybe they're seeing similar increases.

It's certainly possible. The demand for skilled dental professionals is high across the board.

Yeah, for sure. So we've talked about dentists. We've talked about hygienists.

Right.

But there's one other interesting data point I wanted to bring up.

Okay.

The report showed that insurance carriers actually offer the highest average dentist salary.

Oh, wow.

At $202,720.

That's interesting.

What do you make of that?

You know, that's a really good question. I think it might be because insurance companies employ a lot of experienced dentists who have specialized skills in claims review and policy development specialist. So, you know, these roles often require a deep understanding of dental procedures and coding, and that kind of expertise commands a premium in the job market.

Makes sense. It's not just about treating patients.

Right.

There's a whole administrative side to dentistry.

Exactly.

That requires specialized expertise as well.

There are many career paths within the industry.

Yeah, for sure. So overall, it seems like the financial outlook for dentistry is pretty positive.

I think so.

But there are definitely some variations based on factors like ownership, location, and specialization.

Absolutely.

So you got to be smart about.

It, got to be savvy. You got to make good business decisions to really maximize your earning potential.

For sure.

But it's a good time to be a dentist.

That's good to hear. Okay.

All right.

So. All right. So we've established that dentists are generally doing pretty well financially.

Yeah.

But, you know, I imagine there's always more to the story.

Right, right.

What about some of the challenges that dentists are facing these days?

Well, you know, it's not all smooth sailing.

Okay.

Some pretty significant headwinds that dentists are facing.

Yeah.

And I think the first one we need to talk about is staffing.

Staffing. Okay, so, like, finding and keeping good employees.

Exactly.

Is that really that big of a deal in dentistry?

It's a huge deal. It's actually the number one challenge cited by dentists in recent surveys.

Wow.

A whopping 62% of them say that staffing, recruitment, and retention.

Wow.

62% are their biggest headaches.

That's a lot of dentists struggling to like. It is build and maintain their team, so.

Yeah.

Well, what kind of staff are they having trouble finding?

Is it like, you know, it seems to be across the board. Hygienists, assistants, front office staff, Everyone is in high demand, and there just aren't enough qualified people to go around.

So it's a really tight labor market.

For dental professionals, and it's not just about finding people, it's about keeping them too. The dental industry is competitive these days. Practices are really having to get creative to attract and retain 10 talent.

Like what kind of things are they doing?

Well, we're seeing things like signing bonuses.

Okay.

More flexible schedules and even offering continuing education opportunities.

Interesting. So it's almost like dental practices are having to be more like tech startups in a way.

Yeah. I think that's a good analogy in.

Terms of how they're recruiting and retaining employees.

You know, free snacks, ping pong tables, the whole nine yards. Maybe not ping pong tables just yet.

Not yet, but.

But they're digging there. But yeah, they're having to think outside the box.

Box. Yeah, for sure. Okay, so staffing's a challenge. What else?

Okay, so another big one is insurance.

Oh, insurance. Of course.

It's a perennial headache for dentists.

Right.

In fact, 58% of dentists pointed to insurance reimbursements, denials, and issues with Medicaid and Medicare as their second biggest challenge.

So it's not just about getting patients in the door.

Right.

It's also about dealing with all the insurance stuff.

Exactly. It's a constant battle. Low reimbursement rates from insurance companies can really strain a practice's finances, especially for those who rely heavily on insurance based payments.

It's a tough balancing act.

It is.

Because you need to accept insurance to attract patients.

Right.

But then those low reimbursements can make it hard to stay profitable.

Exactly. It's a real dilemma.

Okay, so we've got staffing woes, we've got insurance headaches. Anything else that dentists should be bracing themselves for?

Well, yeah, the rising costs of everything is hitting Vental practices hard.

Of course. Yeah. Inflation's hitting everybody.

Yeah, Inflation doesn't discriminate.

Right.

We're seeing, you know, everything from staff wages and benefits to equipment and rent. It's all more expensive than ever.

So how much of a problem is this for dentists? I mean.

No, it's a significant concern.

Okay.

46% of dentists cited rising operational expenses.

Okay.

As a major challenge.

So almost half of dentists are feeling the squeeze.

Yeah, they're really having to get creative.

So what are they doing?

Well, you know, they're having to find ways to do more with less.

Okay.

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Seeing dentists streamline their operations, negotiate better deals with suppliers.

Right.

And even explore alternative staffing models.

Alternative staffing models? What does that even mean?

Well, it could involve things like hiring more part time staff.

Okay.

You know, cross training employees to handle multiple roles or even outsourcing some tasks.

Interesting.

It's all about, you know, finding ways to be more efficient and reduce overhead.

Right. So it's like they have to be savvy business people.

Yeah.

As well as skilled clinicians.

Absolutely. In today's environment, you have to be both to succeed.

Yeah, for sure. Okay, so we've talked about the good stuff. Financially, we've Talked about the challenges. Staffing, insurance, rising costs.

Yeah.

Paints kind of a complex picture of dentistry in 2025.

It does.

But it's not all doom and gloom, right?

No, not at all.

There's some exciting developments too.

Absolutely.

Especially when it comes to technology.

Yeah. There's a real sense of Artemis in the dent, and a lot of that has to do with the rapid pace of technological innovation.

So let's shift gears a little bit and talk about some of the exciting stuff.

Okay.

What are some of these technological advancements that are really changing the game in dentistry?

Well, one of the most talked about areas is AI driven diagnostics.

Okay. AI?

Yeah.

Artificial intelligence.

Exactly. We're seeing AI being used to analyze X rays.

Wow.

Detect early signs of disease, and even predict treatment outcomes.

So this is like actually happening now?

It's still early days, but adoption is definitely growing.

Okay.

And as AI technology becomes more sophisticated and user friendly.

Right.

I think we can expect to see it integrated into more and more dental practices.

So AI can actually help dentists make more accurate diagnoses and provide more personalized treatment plans?

Exactly. It's all about leveraging technology to improve patient care.

Wow. That's pretty amazing. Okay, what other tech trends are you seeing out there?

Well, another big one is teledentistry.

Oh, yeah, Teledentistry. Isn't that just like a virtual checkup?

It can be, but it's much more than that.

Okay.

Teledentistry can connect dentists with patients in remote areas, provide after hours consultations, and even facilitate collaboration between specialists.

So you're saying that teledentistry could actually help address some of the staffing shortages?

You know, that's a really interesting point, and I think you're right. It absolutely can.

Interesting.

You see, by using teledentistry. Yeah. A hygienist in an urban area could remotely supervise a dental assistant in a rural community. Expanding access to care and reducing the need for dentists to be physically present in every location.

So it's like a virtual dental team.

That's exactly the idea.

That could reach patients anywhere.

It's about breaking down geographical barriers.

Yeah.

And bringing dental care to more people.

That's awesome. Okay, so we've got AI for smarter diagnosis.

Yeah.

Teledentistry for expanding access to care. What else is on the horizon?

Well, digital impressions are becoming increasingly popular.

Digital impressions? Is that like.

Yeah. So instead of using those gooey, messy impression materials.

Oh, yeah.

Dentists can now use a digital scanner to create a 3D model of a patient's teeth.

So it's faster, cleaner, and more comfortable for the patient.

Exactly. Digital impressions are a game changer for both dentist and patient.

That's great.

They're more accurate, they're more efficient, and they eliminate the need for those unpleasant traditional impressions.

So digital dentistry is really the way of the future.

It's certainly gaining momentum.

Yeah.

And you know what's really fascinating is that all of these technologies often work together.

Okay.

So, for example, a digital impression can be combined with AI oh, wow. To create a customized treatment plan for clear aligners or even dental implants.

So it's not just about the individual technologies.

Right.

But how they work together.

It's about how they integrate to create a more seamless and personalized dental experience.

Yeah. And that kind of leads into another big trend that we've been seeing in dentistry.

What's that?

And that's the focus on patient experience.

Oh, yeah, absolutely.

So let's talk about that. Why is it so important today?

Well, in a world where patients have more choices than ever.

Right.

Creating a positive and memorable experience is crucial for attracting and retaining those patients.

Yeah, that makes sense. But what does that actually look like in practice?

Right.

What are dentists doing to enhance the patient experience?

Well, it's really about creating a welcoming and comfortable environment where patients feel heard and valued. You know, it's about providing personalized care, explaining procedures clearly, and offering flexible scheduling and payment options.

So it's not just about the clinical skills, it's about the human touch.

Absolutely. Patients are looking for dentists who listen to their concerns, understand their needs, and make them feel like they're more than just a of sense set of teeth.

Yeah. It's about building relationships, not just fixing cavities.

You got it. And you know what? Technology can actually play a role in enhancing the patient experience as well.

Oh, really? How so?

Well, think about things like online appointment scheduling, digital patient forms, and even virtual reality experiences. Wow. You know, these can all make dentistry less intimidating and more enjoyable for patients.

Okay, so technology isn't the enemy of patient experience.

Not at all. When used thoughtfully, technology can actually complement and enhance the. The human element of dentistry.

I like that. Okay, so we've covered a lot of ground here. We have challenges like staffing and rising costs, exciting opportunities in technology like AI and teledentistry.

Right.

And this focus on creating a positive.

Patient experience, it's a pretty dynamic picture of dentistry in 2025.

It really is.

It's an exciting time to be a part of this industry.

So before we wrap up.

Yeah.

I'M curious to get your take on something.

Okay.

Given all these trends that we've discussed, what do you think is going to be the most important skill for a successful dentist in the next five years?

That's a great question. You know, it's tough to choose just one because dentistry requires such a diverse skill set. But I think adaptability might be the most crucial skill moving forward.

Adaptability? Why is that?

Because the world is changing so rapidly. Technology is evolving, patient expectations are shifting, and the business of dentistry is becoming more complex. Dentists who are willing to embrace change, learn new skills, and adapt their practices to meet the evolving needs of their patients, those are the ones who are going to thrive in the years to come.

So it's not just about being a great clinician, it's about being a lifelong learner.

Exactly.

And embracing the unknown.

The future of dentistry belongs to those who are curious, adaptable, and always willing to push the boundaries of what's possible.

You know, it's really amazing to think about how much dentistry has changed even in just the last few years.

Yeah, absolutely.

And from what we've talked about today, it seems like the pace of change is only going to accelerate.

I agree. And I think it's important for dentists to remember that all these trends we've talked about.

Right.

They're all interconnected.

Okay.

So for example, embracing technology can actually help practices attract and retain skilled staff.

Oh, that's a great point. Yeah. It's not just about adopting the latest gadgets for the sake of it.

Right.

But it's about using those tools strategically to solve those real world problems.

Exactly.

Like we were talking about with delidentistry. It's not just a fancy way to do virtual checkups. It's really a powerful tool to expand access to care.

Absolutely.

Especially for patients in remote or underserved communities.

It's a win win for both patients and dentists. And it can also help address the challenges of rising costs by improving efficiency and streamlining workflows.

So it seems like technology can be a real ally for dentists.

I think so.

Who are trying to navigate all the challenges of this modern dental landscape. Yeah, but amidst all this high tech stuff, let's not forget about the human element.

Of course not. That's still at the heart of dentistry.

Yeah, for sure.

Patient experience is more important than ever.

Absolutely. In a world that's increasingly dominated by technology.

Right.

You know, that human touch, it becomes even more valuable.

I agree.

Patients are looking for dentists who listen to their concerns, understand their needs and provide personalized care.

And that's something technology can't replace.

Exactly.

It's about building relationships, creating a welcoming and comfortable environment, and making patients feel like they're more than just a set of teeth.

It's about building those connections.

It is.

So it seems like it's this balance of high tech and high touch that's really going to define the future of dentistry.

I think so. And that leads me to a final thought provoking question for you, our listener.

Okay, hit us with it.

Given all the advancements in technology and the evolving expectations of patients, what do you think will be the most important skill for a successful dentist in the next five years?

Ooh, that's a good one.

Is it mastering new technologies, building strong relationships, or something else entirely? We'd love to hear your thoughts.

Yeah, that's a great question to ponder. I think we've covered a lot of ground today. We have, you know, we've explored the financial side of dentistry. We've talked about challenges and opportunities facing professionals, and we've even gotten a glimpse into the future of the industry.

I think it's been a really fascinating discussion, and hopefully our deep dive has provided you with some valuable insights into this dynamic world of dentistry in 2025.

And if you want to learn more about any of the topics we discussed today, be sure to check out the show notes.

We'll include links to those reports and resources we talked about, and don't forget.

To let us know your thoughts on that final question.

Yeah, we'd love to hear from our listeners.

All right, well, thanks for joining us on this deep dive.

Thanks, everyone.

Keep those pearly whites shining and we'll catch you next time.