2019 State of the Industry Survey Shows Persistent Growth Potential
A recent survey of dental professionals conducted by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) reveals that cosmetic procedures continue to boost production in dental practices. The AACD has conducted the biennial State of the Cosmetic Dentistry Industry Survey for the past 13 years, and the data collected is used to determine the size and impact, in terms of procedures and revenues, of the cosmetic dentistry market. While times are tough for dental professionals right now, the 2019 State of the Industry Survey supports earlier data that the field of cosmetic dentistry will continue to thrive and grow. The AACD is encouraged to share the results in preparation for the period of recovery and demand surge post-COVID, which is sure to come.
The 2019 survey conducted between January 13 and January 27, includes a snapshot of current dentist and practice demographics, plus promising findings relating to the growth of cosmetic dentistry as a whole. In fact, the average number of cosmetic procedures of most types increased from 2017. Patients are most frequently electing bonding treatments, crowns or bridgework, and implants – procedure types that survey respondents say have either stayed the same or generated more revenue from the previous year to the present. The expectation held by most respondents is that these procedures will continue to generate the same amount of revenue or more in the coming years.
The 2019 findings also show that material preferences among cosmetic dentists are slowly evolving; the number of practice transitions has remained steady from previous years; and there is a growing belief that the use of digital or CAD/CAM technology will increase in the coming years. The biggest disruptor to the industry as respondents saw it? More corporate dentistry—about 34% are currently concerned with the growth of corporate-owned dental practices.
A consistent finding with each iteration of this survey, AACD Accredited members’ practices average $1.6 million in revenue, compared to $1.2 million for General members and $800,000 for nonmembers. This may suggest that, as more and more general dentists add cosmetic procedures to their repertoire, AACD membership may be the differentiating factor for discerning cosmetic patients.
While we have entered a stressful time to practice dentistry, the AACD is encouraged to share this report as a glimmer of hope of what is to come as soon as we reach the other side. The AACD began conducting the State of the Industry survey in 2007. The survey asks questions about the cosmetic dental practice and the most frequently performed cosmetic procedures. This data is then analyzed and compared to historical survey data to present an overall picture of the cosmetic dentistry industry. The survey findings can then be used to inform decisions you make for your practice.
To download and read the survey results, click here: https://bit.ly/2ThbzG4
About the AACD
The AACD is the world’s largest non-profit member organization dedicated to advancing excellence in comprehensive oral care, combining art and science to optimally improve dental health, esthetics, and function. Comprised of more than 5,000 cosmetic dental professionals in 70 countries worldwide, the AACD fulfills its mission by offering superior educational opportunities, promoting and supporting the respected Accreditation and Fellowship credentials, serving as a user-friendly and inviting forum for the creative exchange of knowledge and ideas, and providing accurate and useful information to the public and the profession.
