Dentists Offices & Clinics Industry Profile

About 130,000 dentists offices and clinics operate in the US, generating annual revenue of about $100 billion. No major companies dominate the industry, which is highly fragmented. The 50 largest offices generate about 5 percent of revenue.

The industry includes offices of dentists who practice general dentistry, as well as those of specialists in fields such as oral pathology, oral surgery, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, and periodontics.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Demand for dental services is driven largely by demographics. Children 5 to 19 and adults over 55 tend to need the most dental work. Large practices have advantages in marketing and in being able to offer a wider range of services. Small practices can compete successfully by providing superior service or by focusing on an underserved region. The industry is labor-intensive: annual revenue per employee is about $120,000.

PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY

Dentists practicing general dentistry provide amalgam and composite fillings, regular teeth cleanings, cosmetic dentistry, root canals, sealants, oral surgery, gum disease treatment, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) therapy, tobacco cessation and nutrition counseling, crowns and bridges, dentures, and dental implants.

Most dentists offices include dental hygienists and office staff. A typical office has one dentist and three employees (usually a receptionist and two hygienists). Insurance paperwork, bill collection, scheduling, and restocking supplies are the main concerns of the office staff. Typical equipment includes x-ray machines; chair-mounted systems such as drills, suction devices, and sprayers; and computer imaging systems.

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