Summary: Planet DDS’s 2025 Dental Industry Outlook report reveals key statistics on orthodontic practices, including growth trends in production, case acceptance, and patient volume, despite broader economic pressures.

Key Takeaways:

  • 60% of orthodontic practices reported an increase in same-store production from 2023 to 2024, demonstrating resilience in the face of economic challenges.
  • Case acceptance rates in orthodontic practices averaged 64.4%, with patient volume varying widely between practices.
  • Orthodontic practices using automated claims processing achieved a 99% clean claim rate, improving operational efficiency and revenue cycles.

Newly released industry data shows that 60% of dental practices saw same-store production growth in 2024, despite economic challenges. Based on operational data from 3,400 practices, the first-of-its-kind 2025 Dental Industry Outlook report, produced by Planet DDS, breaks down key trends in case acceptance, patient volume, and revenue growth, giving DSOs and multi-location practices a clearer picture of where they stand. Beyond the numbers, the report explores broader industry shifts, including workforce trends, emerging technologies, and insights from over 20 industry leaders.

Treatment Case Acceptance & Completion Rates

  • Nearly half (49%) of practices had case acceptance rates between 40% and 70%.
  • However, the average case completion rate was 42%, reflecting how cost, urgency, and patient understanding of their treatment plan impact follow-through.

Patient Volume & Scheduling Efficiency

  • Patient volume varies significantly by practice size: 41.2% of practices see fewer than 19 new patients per month, while 16.6% report more than 80 new patient visits per month—a disparity driven by provider capacity, service offerings, and appointment availability.
  • 15.5% of patients cancel appointments in advance, impacting scheduling efficiency.
  • 7.4% of patients fail to show up without notice, creating revenue losses and operational inefficiencies.

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Revenue & Practice Performance

  • 60% of practices reported year-over-year same-store production growth in 2024, defying economic uncertainty. An analysis of 2,200 practices on Denticon practice management for at least 24 months reveals steady performance gains comparing 2023 quarterly data to 2024:
    ◦ Q1 2024: 2.4% growth
    ◦ Q2 2024: 3.2% growth
    ◦ Q3 2024: 5.5% growth
    ◦ Q4 2024: 4.6% growth
  • Average daily gross production per provider:
    ◦ $1,058 per hygienist
    ◦ $3,815 per dentist
    ◦ $8,436 per practice

Orthodontic Practice Data Insights

Included in the report is data from 1,500 orthodontic practices. Data related to these practices found:

  • Case acceptance rates for orthodontic practices averaged at 64.4%.
  • Number of new orthodontic patient consults varied widely but nearly 50% of practices see 100 to 399 new patients per month and less than 5% see more than 699 new patients per month.
  • In 2024, the average number of orthodontic patient starts was 203.5.
  • 60% of orthodontic practices reported an increase in same-store production from 2023 to 2024.
  • Orthodontic practices using automated claims processing achieved a 99% clean claim rate, reducing manual work and improving revenue cycles.

“The dental industry is transforming before our eyes,” said AJ Acierno, president of clinical operations at Smile Brands. “Advancements in AI, automation, and integrated platforms are reshaping everything from patient care to operational efficiency. DSOs that embrace these innovations are not just adapting; they’re leading the way in improving patient outcomes, streamlining workflows, and driving sustainable growth. The insights in this report provide a clear roadmap for navigating this evolution

In addition, the 2025 Dental Industry Outlook features insights from industry leaders, technology experts, and business strategists on the future of dentistry. The report covers the changing workforce, emerging technologies, and strategic business trends that are reshaping practice management and patient care. A few key highlights include:

  • Shifting demographics: The report highlights the growing presence of women in dentistry, with 57% of dentists entering the field now female, a significant change that is influencing practice leadership and patient care dynamics.
  • Dental hygiene trends: The dental hygienist shortage remains a pressing challenge, with 91% of practices struggling to hire hygienists and wages increasing by as much as 20% since 2000.

The 2025 Dental Industry Outlook was unveiled at the recent Planet DDS Orbit Conference in March 2025 and will be published by Planet DDS annually to provide ongoing benchmark data for DSOs and multi-location practices.

“The 2025 Dental Industry Outlook serves as a strategic compass, offering unprecedented visibility into key practice metrics,” said Eric Giesecke, CEO of Planet DDS. “It provides a clear picture of where the industry is and where it’s headed, and we hope that practices will use these insights to measure their performance and identify opportunities for growth.”

Planet DDS is a cloud-based dental solutions provider, serving over 13,000 practices and 118,000 customers in North America. The Planet DDS solutions suite includes Denticon Practice Management, Cloud 9 Ortho Practice Management, Apteryx Cloud Imaging, and Planet DDS Practice Marketing.

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