More than half of dentists reported feeling confident in the economic conditions at their practices, the dental sector in general, and in the U.S. in the next six months but they anticipate challenges, according to the ADA Health Policy Institute (HPI).
Dentists anticipate the biggest obstacles in 2025 to be workforce shortages, insurance issues, and more, according to new data published January 13 from HPI.
Of the 896 respondents, about 56% reported feeling very or somewhat confident in the economic conditions in the U.S. within the next months while about 19% reported not feeling confident or skeptical. However, about 25% reported being somewhat or very skeptical about the U.S. economic conditions in the near future, according to the results.
As for the dental sector, dentists reported being slightly more optimistic about the economics. Approximately 63% felt very or somewhat confident about dentistry's economic conditions, while about 22% didn't feel skeptical or confident. About 17% reported feeling somewhat or very skeptical about the dental sector's economic conditions, according to the results.
Dentists reported being most enthusiastic about the economic conditions of their practices. Of the responses, about 68% reported feeling very or somewhat confident about the economic conditions at their practices in the next six months. Meanwhile, about 18% didn't feel confident or skeptical about the conditions, and approximately 14% reported being somewhat or very skeptical about future conditions, according to HPI.
Despite their thoughts about future economic conditions, more than 40% of dentists reported that they were very unlikely to make major equipment purchases and invest in software but were very or somewhat likely to drop out of some insurance networks.
In 2025, about 26% of dentists reported they were very or somewhat likely to purchase major equipment, and only about 21% were very or somewhat likely to invest in new software. Meanwhile, about 47% were very or somewhat likely to add staff.
Additionally, about 41% of dentists reported they were likely or somewhat likely to drop out of some insurance networks, according to HPI.
As for anticipated challenges in the near future, about 62% of the 728 respondents reported staffing, recruitment and retention, and workforce shortages as the biggest obstacle, according to HPI.
Furthermore, dentists reported the other biggest challenges were insurance issues and increasing expenses. Nearly 58% of dentists cited low insurance reimbursement, denials, Medicaid and Medicare issues as the second-biggest challenge, and approximately 46% reported rising expenses, including staff wages and benefits and equipment costs, and overhead costs as the third-largest obstacle.
Other challenges reported include maintaining patient volume and keeping appointment schedules full, according to the results.
