U.S. dental spending up in 2021: ADA
An American Dental Association (ADA) Health Policy Institute analysis of data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services finds national dental expenditures increased by 11% from $146 billion in 2020 to $162 billion in 2021. ADA released the data on Dec. 16 in an email to members and subscribers.
HPI Chief Economist and Vice President Marko Vujicic said in the email that the data show that in 2021 it was full steam ahead for the dental economy.
Additional key findings include:
- Dental spending in 2021 was higher than its pre-pandemic level. COVID-19-related government relief program spending was $7 billion in 2021. Without these programs, HPI estimates that 2021 national dental spending would have been $155 billion, still above pre-pandemic levels.
- Government program spending increased by 25% from 2020 to 2021. Within government programs, Medicare and Medicaid spending each increased by about $2 billion. Private health insurance spending was up by 11% and out-of-pocket spending increased by 13%.
Read more on the Health Policy Institute’s website.
Related articles
Third AHEAD symposium invites policymakers, health professionals, and the disability community to the table to discuss improving oral health care for people with disabilities
Practice revenues between 2018 to 2022 increased by 2.2 percent compared with 2013 to 2017, while expenses rose by 7.7 percent over the same intervals.
The Blind Spot 11 January 2022
ADA Health Policy Institute confirmed a national dental expenditures decrement
Pandemic-related government relief program spending was $8.7 billion in 2020
ADA Health Policy Institute's new data analysis from several federal agencies found national dental expenditures decreased by 1.8% — from $145 billion in 2019 to $142.4 billion in 2020...
Monthly poll now being called Economic Outlook and Emerging Issues in Dentistry
The ADA Health Policy Institute’s monthly COVID-19 financial results poll is evolving for 2022, and the institute is recruiting dentists to join the new survey panel.In addition to asking some of...
Market 03 November 2021
Health Policy Institute report and survey: economic impact of the pandemic on Dentistry
Polling found patient volume at 90% of pre-COVID-19 levels in October
When asked to look ahead to the rest of the year, 3 in 4 dentists stated they’re very or somewhat confident in the recovery of their dental practice, according to the Health Policy Institute’s...
Read more
News 27 August 2026
adds same-day emergency dental care, onsite labs and Motto™ Clear Aligners to one of the busiest retail corridors in southwest Cook County.
News 27 August 2026
Launch party August 26 to introduce breakthrough technology for whole-body care to northern Utah
Editorials 27 August 2026
From California to Canada: CU Anschutz School of Dental Medicine at ADEA, GRC and IADR 2026
The CU Anschutz School of Dental Medicine will showcase a wide breadth of educational innovation, faculty development, clinical training and research at three major gatherings this
Oral surgery 27 August 2026
This peer-reviewed oral surgery article summarizes clinical evidence from International journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery (2026). It focuses on findings that may help dental professionals...
Copyright © 2026 - All Rights Reserved
ISSN 2767-1178