11 August 2023

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26% of dentists offer In-office dental plans: ADA

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Twenty-six percent of dentists offer an in-office dental plan to their patients – roughly the same proportion as reported in a June 2021 poll by the American Dental Association.

Results from the ADA Health Policy Institute's July Economic Outlook and Emerging Issues in Dentistry poll also indicated that awareness of these dental plans has improved, with fewer dentists saying they did not know what an in-office dental plan was.

The poll, which collected responses from approximately 950 practicing dentists between July 17-23, also revealed that the majority of these plans were administered directly by the dental practices. Most dentists said that five percent or less of their patients were enrolled in the in-office plan.

Other highlights from the report include:

• Dentists' confidence in their dental practice and the dental care sector declined slightly in July 2023. Confidence levels remain below a high point in 2021.
• Dentists' appointment schedules were 87% full in July 2023, a figure that has been steady throughout the year.
• Patient no-shows and late cancellations remained the most common factor for unfilled practice schedules in July 2023.
• More than one-third of dentists continue to report they are actively recruiting dental hygienists and assistants.
• Slightly more dentists report that recruitment of dental hygienists is very or extremely challenging in July 2023 compared to one year ago.

Learn more and join the Health Policy Institute's dentist panel on the organization's website.