Several changes are needed in order for dentistry to continue moving forward, according to Geith Kallas, DDS.
Dr. Kallas, the CEO of Smile Makers Dental Center in Tyson’s Corner, Va., recently spoke with Becker’s to discuss the challenges facing dentists and patients.
Editor’s note: Responses have been lightly edited for clarity and length.
Question: What factors are holding dentistry back from further growth and innovation?
Dr. Geith Kallas: The dental industry is experiencing significant advancements, but several factors are hindering its full potential for growth and innovation. Here are the key challenges:
Key factors limiting growth and innovation in dentistry:
1. High costs and financial barriers
- Dental education, equipment and practice setup require significant investment, limiting accessibility for new practitioners.
- High overhead costs (materials, technology and staffing) reduce profitability and discourage innovation.
- Insurance reimbursement models often lag behind advances in care, disincentivizing adoption of new techniques.
2. Regulatory and administrative burdens
- Strict licensing requirements and varying state regulations create inefficiencies and slow the integration of new technologies.
- Compliance with dental boards, insurance policies and government mandates diverts time and resources from innovation.
- Slow FDA approval processes for new materials and devices delay market availability.
- Absence of interstate dental licenses.
3. Resistance to change and fragmented industry structure
- Many dental practices are small, independent businesses with limited budgets for research and development, or advanced technology adoption.
- Dentists may be hesitant to adopt new methods due to a lack of training, fear of risk or skepticism about unproven innovations.
- The industry lacks centralized collaboration between researchers, manufacturers and clinicians, slowing progress.
4. Technological and educational gaps
- Limited integration of digital dentistry (AI, 3D printing and teledentistry) due to cost and training barriers.
- Dental curricula often emphasize traditional techniques over emerging technologies, leaving graduates unprepared for innovation.
- Patient awareness and demand for cutting-edge treatments remain low, reducing market incentives.
5. Workforce shortages and burnout
- Dentists and hygienists face high stress, leading to attrition and reduced capacity for forward-thinking initiatives.
- Rural and underserved areas struggle with provider shortages, limiting equitable access to advanced care.
6. Patient-related barriers
- Dental anxiety leads many patients to delay care, reducing demand for preventive and advanced treatments.
- Patients often prioritize affordability over cutting-edge procedures.
- Many people don’t understand the benefits of innovations like laser dentistry or minimally invasive techniques.
For dentistry to advance, stakeholders must address financial constraints, streamline regulations, increase insurance reimbursements, foster collaboration, modernize education, establish interstate dental licensure and incentivize technology adoption. Without systemic changes, progress will remain slow despite the potential for breakthroughs.
