U.S. Dental Services Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Specialty (General Dentistry, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Endodontics, Orthodontics, and Others), By Financing Source (Private Health Insurance, Public Health Insurance, and Out-of-pocket/Others), By Practice Type (Solo Practices, DSO/Group Practices, and Others), By Zone (Northeast, Midwest, South, and West), and Country Forecast, 2023-2030

The U.S. dental services market size was valued at USD 130.30 billion in 2022. The market is projected to grow from USD 136.56 billion in 2023 to USD 216.33 billion by 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.8% during the forecast period.

Dental services refer to the procedures conducted by the dental care professionals such as dentists for the diagnosis, prevention, and management of dental ailments. These services also include procedures that aid in the maintenance of oral health. Some of the types of dental services include general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and restorative dentistry amongst others.

In recent years, the U.S. has witnessed steady growth in dental services. The rising public awareness of oral health is a major factor behind the growth of the market. The growing prevalence of oral and dental disorders, increase in insurance coverage, surge in cosmetic dentistry procedures, and advancements in dental treatment are contributing to the growth in the number of visits to dentists in the U.S.

• As per the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research’s Oral Health in America - April 2022 report, around 50% of adults aged 45 to 64 are affected by periodontal (gum) disease, which is linked to nearly 60 other health issues, including diabetes, heart conditions, and Alzheimer's disease.

Furthermore, the players in the market are involved in various initiatives, such as the regional expansion of the centers and digital technology adoption in the centers to meet the growing demand for dental procedures.

• In November 2022, ProHEALTH Dental collaborated with Renew, a company operating in digital full-mouth restorative treatments for the expansion in the Northeast zone of the U.S. with digital services.


• In January 2022, SAGE DENTAL MANAGEMENT, LLC. opened four new comprehensive dental clinics in Saint Cloud, Winter Haven, Plant City, and Lakeland in central Florida.

Moreover, the increasing affiliations and collaborations between dental service organizations and dentists are also expected to aid the growth of the market in the upcoming years.

• In September 2022, Smile Brands Inc. collaborated with Aria Dental and Mike Majors, DDS, located in San Antonio, to offer staff administrative support and services.

COVID-19 IMPACT

Teledentistry Emerged as an Influential Force to Impart Education

The U.S. dental services market was negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The dental clinics were closed or had reduced hours, with only urgent and emergency services available, resulting in reduced routine care and preventive check-ups.

• As per the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality report of 2022, the pandemic had effectively shut down approximately 198,000 active dentists and dental specialists in the U.S.

The demand for these services also decreased due to the COVID-19 restrictions. The risk of viral transmission during dental procedures led to the postponement of several elective procedures, which further hindered the growth of the market in the U.S. and globally. However, alternative solutions such as teledentistry emerged during the pandemic to provide remote monitoring, consultation, education, and treatment. During the pandemic, teledentistry allowed dentists to prioritize cases and provide guidance without the need for in-person visits.

With restrictions eased, the patient volumes in dental clinics increased in late 2020. In 2021, dental clinics observed a surge in patients as postponed elective surgeries were rescheduled, leading to significant growth. By 2022, the market returned to pre-pandemic levels and is expected to grow in the coming years.

U.S. Dental Services Market Trends

Rising Popularity of Advanced Dental Treatments Identified as a Significant Market Trend

The growing popularity of advanced dental technologies has led to an increase in the number of individuals opting for these treatments due to the benefits they offer. The advancements in dental care, which include laser dentistry, same-day crowns, porcelain veneers, dental implants, clear aligners, and others, have led to a robust surge in demand for these procedures.

For example, the demand for invisible orthodontic products such as clear aligners is rapidly increasing owing to several benefits such as easy customization, easy removal, fewer side effects, and reduced visits to the dentist. This has led to a shifting focus of the market players toward launching innovative clear aligner products.

Teledentistry has also witnessed significant growth, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, as it saves time and costs for patients and expands the customer base for healthcare professionals. In addition, the use of advanced digital dentistry tools such as 3D imaging, intraoral scanners, and computer-aided design has become a notable trend, allowing for accurate and effective treatment of dental issues and attracting more patients seeking treatment.

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U.S. Dental Services Market Growth Factors

Growing Prevalence of Dental Ailments Coupled with Increasing Number of Dental Procedures to Drive Market Growth

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that nearly 47.2% of adults aged 30 years and above have some form of periodontal disease. Other dental ailments, including tooth decay and oral infections, have also been increasing due to various factors such as poor oral hygiene, unhealthy diets, and lifestyle choices. This growing prevalence of dental ailments is creating a greater demand for services and treatments in dentistry.

Moreover, various initiatives by government organizations are growing awareness of regular dental check-ups and preventive care among the aging population as well as increasing dental education, which is contributing to the increased number of dental procedures being performed.

• For instance, the Healthy People 2030 initiative by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services focuses on preventive care for people of all ages through screenings, dental check-ups, and vaccinations.

Furthermore, the increasing number of dental procedures being performed is also contributing to the growth of the dental industry. Technology adoption acts as a major role in making dental procedures more accessible and less invasive.

• In August 2021, SAGE DENTAL MANAGEMENT, LLC. incorporated AI-powered remote orthodontic treatment monitoring and digital intraoral scanning for esthetic dentistry in collaboration with Institut Straumann AG.

Overall, the mentioned factors are expected to drive growth in the U.S. dental industry in the coming years.

Increasing Number of Individuals Having Dental Insurance Coupled with Rise in Dental Spending to Augment Market Growth

Dental insurance in the U.S. has evolved over the years to meet changing needs, and there is a reduction in the number of individuals with no insurance. According to the data published by the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (OASH), the proportion of individuals with dental insurance was 72.5% in 2021.

In addition, the insurance coverage has expanded to provide more comprehensive coverage for a wide array of dental services, focusing on preventive care, including orthodontic coverage, with a larger network of dentist/service providers to reduce out-of-pocket expenses for patients. Furthermore, dental care expenditure in the U.S. is steadily growing as the number of procedures increases, especially in the orthodontics and aesthetics divisions.

• Dental care expenditure in the U.S. has increased from USD 146.0 billion in 2020 to USD 162.0 billion in 2021, an 11.0% increase in this period.

Thus, dental care expenditure and changes in insurance coverage are expected to boost the U.S. dental services market growth during the forecast period.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

High Cost of Dental Services May Impede Market Growth

While advancements in technology and dental treatment capabilities have greatly expanded in the last decade, the financial burden on patients continues to rise. In addition, the high cost of dental procedures results in a lower volume of elective and cosmetic dental procedures being conducted. Increasing costs of dental materials and equipment, lab fees, and labor costs are resulting in higher procedure costs, thus limiting the growth of the market.

• For instance, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index, between October 2021 and October 2022, dental costs increased by 5.4%.


• Similarly, according to an article published by Strategic Dentistry DBA DOCS Education in May 2021, around 74 million American individuals had no dental insurance coverage in 2019 which further results in delaying dental care treatments.

Thus, the limited access to affordable dental care is anticipated to impede the growth of the market in the U.S. up to a certain extent.

U.S. Dental Services Market Segmentation Analysis

By Specialty Analysis

General Dentistry Segment Held the Largest Share Due to the Rising Prevalence of Oral Diseases

Based on specialty, the market is segmented into general dentistry, oral & maxillofacial surgery, endodontics, orthodontics, and others.

The general dentistry segment dominated the market in 2022. The segment is experiencing growth due to the increasing number of patients visiting general dentists for oral diseases, including tooth decay, periodontal diseases, tooth loss, and oral cancers. In addition, the rise in the number of patient visits for preventive care and the maintenance of oral health are contributing to its expansion.

• According to the State of America’s Oral Health and Wellness Report by Delta Dental in 2022, 1 in 5 (20%) adults experienced an oral health issue in the U.S.

On the other hand, the orthodontics segment is expected to witness rapid expansion in the U.S. during the forecast period. The segment’s growth is attributed to the wider adoption of tooth alignment procedures. In addition, the introduction of efficient, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing orthodontic procedures is resulting in the growth of the segment.

The endodontics segment is slated to witness significant growth during the forecast period. Developments in digital imaging, minimally invasive procedures, and increasing dental implant surgeries are boosting the growth of the segment.

The oral & maxillofacial surgery segment is also expected to witness considerable growth in the near future owing to increasing focus on cosmetic surgery, including surgeries addressing jaw and facial irregularities.

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By Financing Source Analysis

Private Health Insurance Segment Held the Largest Share Due to the Rising Adoption

Based on financing source, the market is segmented into private health insurance, public health insurance, and out-of-pocket/ others.

The private health insurance segment accounted for the largest U.S. dental services market share in 2022. The segment’s growth in the country is expected to be driven by the wider dental services covered by private health insurance. However, Medicaid programs vary greatly in their coverage for adult dental benefits. This, resulting in private health insurance adoption over public health insurance, is likely to propel the segment during the forecast period.

• According to the American Dental Association’s Health Policy Institute report, in 2021, 61.0% of adults had private dental insurance.

The out-of-pocket/others segment generated significant revenue in 2022. While dental insurance in the U.S. covers many basic dental services, certain procedures are often excluded from coverage. Cosmetic dentistry and teeth whitening tend to fall outside of standard dental insurance policies. This lack of insurance coverage for such demanding services is resulting in increased out-of-pocket expenses.

By Practice Type Analysis

Solo Practices Segment to Hold Largest Share Due to Presence of Large Pool of Solo Practitioners

Based on practice type, the market is segmented into solo practices, DSO/group practices, and others.

In 2022, the solo practices segment dominated the market. The growth is attributed to the presence of a large pool of solo practitioners. The monetary benefits, such as dental practice ownership, autonomy, and personalized services offered by this model, increase its adoption in the U.S.

On the other hand, the shift toward the DSO model is expected to lead to the growth of the DSO/group practices segment rapidly and this segment is poised to hold the maximum share by the end of the forecast period. The interest of young professionals to reduce the burden related to lab facilities and administration is enabling them to adopt the DSO/group practices model. Moreover, strategic initiatives by DSOs for acquisitions and affiliations are expected to propel the segment’s growth.

• In September 2023, Dental365 acquired six practices in Pennsylvania, including Susquehanna Valley Dental Group in Middleburg, Back Mountain Dental in Shavertown, NEPA Dental in Wilkes-Barre, Polit & Costello Dentistry in Pittston, NEPA Dental West in Forty-Fort, and Coopersburg Dental in Coopersburg.


• Similarly, in January 2022, Heartland Dental offered affiliations to LWSS Family Dentistry. Through this, seven individual practices, 14 general dentists, three orthodontists, one pediatric dentist, and one dual-certified pediatric & orthodontist joined a network of Heartland Dental.

By Zone Analysis

South Segment Dominated Owing to the Huge Number of Dental Clinics

Based on zone, the market is segmented into Northeast, Midwest, South, and West.

The South zone captured the largest market share in 2022. The growth of this segment is owing to a huge number of dental clinics and expansion activities by the service providers. Besides this, DSOs are actively opening and acquiring clinics in the zone. Thus, the segment is poised to witness major growth during the forecast period.

• For instance, in October 2023, SAGE DENTAL MANAGEMENT, LLC. announced that it had opened 27 new practices since June 2023, including locations in Acworth, Kennesaw, Land O’ Lakes, Loganville, Siesta Row, Titusville, Warm Springs, and Wesley Chapel in the two states.

The West zone held a significant market share in 2022 owing to the large volume of patients visiting dental clinics. Furthermore, the increase in group practices and affiliations with dental service organizations is anticipated to accelerate the growth of this segment further over the forecast period.

• For instance, in April 2022, Radiate by McQuitty in Santa Fe, New Mexico, received affiliation from Smile Brands Inc. The group offers general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and emergency dental services to patients around Santa Fe.

The Northeast zone's growth is attributed to the adoption of advanced dental technologies in states such as New York and Massachusetts.

The Midwest zone is growing slowly due to the limited number of clinics, which leads to restricted access to the services in this zone.

List of Key Companies in U.S. Dental Services Market

Various Large Organizations Together Dominated the Market due to a Well-established Network

While no single organization held the maximum share, the players are segmented as large, medium and small-sized players based on the number of clinics.

The large players held a major share in 2022. The comparatively higher share of these DSOs is attributed to their strong geographical presence combined with strong collaborations, acquisitions, and other market penetration activities. Some of the large players include Heartland Dental, Aspen Dental Management, Inc., Pacific Dental Services, Smile Brands Inc., and others.

Medium-sized organizations, which include players such as Dental365, 42 NORTH DENTAL, and SAGE DENTAL MANAGEMENT, LLC., are focusing on the acquisition of smaller DSOs and solo practices.

• For instance, in October 2021, Aspen Dental Management, Inc. entered a multi-year partnership with SprintRay Inc. to add SprintRay Inc.’s state-of-the-art 3D printing technology to dental facilities across 45 states in the U.S.


• In October 2023, Dental365 acquired Quakertown Family Dental, located in Pennsylvania, to strengthen its position in the Pennsylvania zone.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• Heartland Dental (U.S.)


• Aspen Dental Management, Inc. (U.S.)


• Pacific Dental Services (U.S.)


• Dental Care Alliance (U.S.)


• Smile Brands Inc. (U.S.)


• Dental365 (U.S.)


• SAGE DENTAL MANAGEMENT, LLC. (U.S.)


• ProHEALTH Dental (U.S.)


• Bethesda Dental Group (U.S.)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• December 2023: Heartland Dental collaborated with VideaHealth, a dental A.I. software company in the U.S. Through the multi-year partnership, Heartland Dental will utilize VideaAI of VideaHealth for diagnostics and workflow.


• December 2023: Pacific Dental Services launched its first co-located dental-medical practice, Culver Smiles Dentistry, in southern California. The center was opened in collaboration with the regional service provider, MemorialCare.


• August 2023: ProHEALTH Dental collaborated with Northwell Health to provide oral health services across Long Island, New York City, and Westchester County.


• March 2023: Dental Care Alliance added Rivertown Dental Care in Columbus, Georgia, Evanston Dental Associates in Illinois, and East Village Dental Centre of Chicago joined the Dental Care Alliance network of clinics.


• November 2022: Smile Brands Inc. opened an office at Bentonville for its affiliate Monarch Dental. The new location offers full dental services, including general dentistry, oral surgery, periodontics, endodontics, and implants.

REPORT COVERAGE

An Infographic Representation of U.S. Dental Services Market

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The report provides a detailed analysis of the U.S. market. It focuses on key aspects such as competitive landscape, specialty, financing source, practice type, and zone. Besides this, the report offers insights into the industry and market trends and highlights key industry developments. In addition to the factors mentioned above, the report encompasses several factors that have contributed to the growth of the market in recent years.

Report Scope & Segmentation