Dental Practices NAICS 621210
Unlock access to the full platform with more than 900 industry reports and local economic insights.
Get access to this Industry Profile including 18+ chapters and more than 50 pages of industry research.
Industry Summary
The 120,488 Dental practices in the US are in the business of providing “oral health,” including hygiene or preventative care, restorative treatments, and oral surgery. 78% of dentists are in general dentistry, while orthodontists represent 5% and oral surgeons and pediatric dentists each represent 4%. The rest are specialty practices, such endodontists or periodontists. About half of dentists are in solo practices.
Weak Economy Lowers Demand
Demand for dental services had been thought to be “recession-proof,” but the past recession and recent pandemic saw a drop in dental appointments and billings.
New Treatment Technologies
Technological advances continue to increase quality, enhance patient comfort, and speed the delivery of dental treatments.
Recent Developments
Jun 3, 2025 - Many Still Lack Dental Insurance
- About 27% of US adults — an estimated 72 million people — do not have dental insurance, according to the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health. That is nearly three times the number of adults who lack health insurance (9.5%, or 26 million). Adults with lower incomes and education levels are more likely to lack dental insurance. About 40% of adults without a high school diploma and 38% of those earning under $30,000 annually are uninsured for dental care.
- Consumers now look to spend their health-care money on what will give them the greatest return on their investment, according to Dental Economics (DE). DE cites studies by Pricewaterhouse Coopers that “predict a $1 trillion shift away from traditional payers and providers to new ecosystems that expand beyond product partnerships to include closer connections with technology hyperscalers, AI disruptors, value-chain solution providers and patient-focused innovators.” Consumers, not insurance companies, are leading the way, according to DE. This means that the days of focusing on volume-driven, insurance-dependent and transactional patients are over.
- AI-driven automation in the front office is capable of eliminating inefficiencies, reducing costs, and enabling dental professionals to focus on what they do best, according to Dental Economics. Tools powered both by human billing experts and cutting-edge AI technology helps dental practices optimize their revenue operations and improve cash flow by ensuring that a claim meets the ever-changing rules and scrutiny criteria of each insurance company. They also help to advise the people that work chair side and in the front-office on how to submit undeniably perfect claims leading to up to 10% higher collection for work already performed which ends up being more than 30% additional profit for the practice.
- Dental practice employment and average wages for nonsupervisory employees decreased slightly during the first four months of 2025, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Dental Practices slightly raised their prices during 2024, according to the BLS. Dental practice sales are projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 4.98% from 2025 to 2029, faster than the growth of the overall economy, according to Inforum and the Interindustry Economic Research Fund.
Industry Revenue
Dental Practices
Industry Structure
Industry size & Structure
The average dental practice employs about 9 workers and generates about $1.3 million in annual revenue.
- There are about 120,488 dental practices in the US that employ 1,045,500 workers and generate annual revenue of $160 billion.
- Dentists must be licensed by their State to practice. This requires a bachelor's degree, 4 years of dental school, and passing written and practical exams. Specialty licenses typically require another 2-4 years of postgraduate education and up to 2 years of a residency program. These licensing requirements create a significant barrier to entry for the industry.
- 78% of dentists are in general dentistry. Orthodontists represent 5% and oral surgeons and pediatric dentists each represent 4%, with the rest in other specialties (endodontists, periodontists, etc.).
- The average practice has 1-2 dentists and about 2 dental hygienists and 3 dental assistants for each dentist.
Industry Forecast
Industry Forecast
Dental Practices Industry Growth
Source: Vertical IQ and Inforum
Vertical IQ Industry Report
For anyone actively digging deeper into a specific industry.
50+ pages of timely industry insights
18+ chapters
PDF delivered to your inbox
