Industry Information about Dentists
During the 1990s, the number of professionally active dentists was declining. In 2000, there were 154,459 professionally active dentists in the United States. Roughly 4,000 new dentists graduate in an average year, however 6,000 retire. During the 1980s, there was what seemed to be an oversupply of dentists. This gave insurers the upper hand, offering patients for dentists in exchange for discounts. Due to the apparent decline in the number of dentists in the early 2000s, insurers had to compete for doctors with services they could provide. Total dental revenue in 2001 was around $65.5 billion, up 8 percent from an estimated $60 billion in 2000. Also in 2000, revenue increased 7.7 percent from $56.3 billion in 1999.
Recent Trends in Dentists
Health in America is continually improving, with more people being made aware of the positive effects of hygiene and an overall healthy lifestyle. The oral health industry continuously advances, because an increasing number of children and adults seek dental care. According to an American Dental Association news release, there's been a rise in dental visits by uninsured people, yet still much less than the percentage of people visiting with private insurance. Dentists in Los Angeles and dentists in Miami paved the way because of dental care giant, Safe Guard Health Enterprises, which came about in the late 90s.
Businesses in This Category
This category covers clinics and offices of licensed practitioners of dentistry with the degree of D.M.D., D.D.S., or D.D.Sc. Specifically included in this industry are the offices of dentists, dental surgeons, pediatric dentists, endodontists and orthodontists.