Overview

The 136,400 dental practices in the US are in the business of providing “oral health,” including hygiene or preventative care, restorative treatments, and oral surgery. 90% of dentists are in general dentistry, while oral surgeons and orthodontists each represent 4%. The rest are specialty practices, such as pediatric dentists or periodontists. Three out of four dentists are in solo practices.

Local Competition

While educational and licensing requirements, along with retirements, tend to restrict the supply of dentists, local competition for patients is intense in some geographical areas.

New Treatment Technologies

Technological advances continue to increase quality, enhance patient comfort, and speed the delivery of dental treatments.