Dental Industry Trends: How Dental Practices, DSOs, and Specialties Performed in Q1 2025
- spiro26
- Apr 11
- 3 min read
The first quarter of 2025 offered a revealing snapshot into the evolving dental landscape in the United States. General practices, DSOs (Dental Support Organizations), and specialty providers such as orthodontists, oral surgeons, endodontists, and pediatric dentists experienced both tailwinds and challenges. While inflationary pressures and hiring shortages lingered, production remained strong in key areas, supported by technology, consolidation, and patient demand.
General Dental Practices: Resilient Production, Lower Confidence
Despite macroeconomic concerns, 60% of dental practices reported year-over-year same-store production growth in 2024, continuing into early 2025. However, dentists’ confidence in the U.S. economy plummeted, according to the ADA Health Policy Institute:
Only 34.9% of dentists were confident in the U.S. economy in Q1 2025, down from 56% in Q4 2024.
Confidence in the dental sector and their own practices also declined by 17 and 13 percentage points, respectively.
Additionally, 26.4% of dentists said they were not busy enough, and hiring challenges remained widespread:
67.8% of dentists were seeking hygienists
46.1% were recruiting dental assistants
54.8% found hiring hygienists “extremely challenging”
Source: American Dental Association, Health Policy Institute. Economic Outlook and Emerging Issues in Dentistry: Q1 2025.
DSOs: Expansion and Operational Excellence
DSOs continued their aggressive growth strategies through acquisitions and automation. The U.S. DSO market is projected to grow from $37.9 billion in 2024 to $44.7 billion in 2025, with a 17.9% CAGR, driven by:
AI-based diagnostics and scheduling
Integrated cloud-based software
Centralized billing and HR solutions
Notably, PepperPointe Partnerships expanded its network by over 35% in Virginia in a single-day growth event in January 2025, acquiring six general dentists and four dental practices.
Source:
Group Dentistry Now (Jan. 2025), “DSO and Dental Mergers”
DrBicuspid (Mar. 2025), “Top Trends for DSOs Heading into Spring 2025”
Orthodontics: Growth Anchored by Digital Tools
Orthodontic practices maintained steady growth, with 60% reporting year-over-year production increases, thanks to:
High demand for aligners and cosmetic treatments
AI-powered case management
99% clean claim rates via automation
Align Technology (maker of Invisalign) continues to dominate with innovations in intraoral scanning and clear aligner customization.
Source:
Orthodontic Products Online (March 2025), “Orthodontic Practices See Growth Amid Uncertainty”
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: High Demand, Low Supply
Oral surgeons remained in high demand due to implant placements, trauma care, and full-mouth reconstruction. However, the U.S. has fewer than 7,500 practicing oral surgeons, creating a bottleneck in access to care and referrals.
3D surgical planning, AI-guided procedures, and digital implant workflows continued to improve efficiency and case acceptance.
Source:
AMN Healthcare (Feb. 2025), “Fastest Growing Dental Specialties”
Endodontics: Stable Volume with Emphasis on Speed
Endodontists saw consistent demand for root canal therapy, particularly from general dentists referring complex molar cases. The focus remained on:
Shorter chair time
Digital apex locators and rotary file systems
Minimizing post-op pain and retreatment risk
Though data is limited, anecdotal reports suggest modest growth and solid profitability in this specialty.
Pediatric Dentistry: Rising Patient Volume and Preventive Focus
Pediatric dentists reported a 7.5% increase in patient volume in Q1 2025 over Q4 2024, driven by:
Greater public awareness of early dental visits
Insurance coverage for children under Medicaid and CHIP
Partnerships with schools and pediatricians
The ADA reported that 52% of general dentists now see children under age 1, yet over 67% still refer complex cases to pediatric dentists. Laser-assisted dentistry, behavior management techniques, and sedation dentistry remain critical differentiators for pediatric specialists.
Source:
ADA Health Policy Institute (April 2025), Q1 Specialist Breakout Report
Conclusion: A Sector in Transition
Q1 2025 affirmed that the dental sector continues to adapt and grow despite macroeconomic challenges. Practices and DSOs that invest in technology, staff development, and patient-centric models are seeing the strongest returns. Specialty fields, particularly orthodontics and pediatrics, are thriving, while oral surgery and hygiene staffing remain pain points for many operators.
The remainder of 2025 will test the industry’s ability to scale sustainably—but if Q1 is any indication, dentistry is moving forward with resilience and innovation.
Comments