Here are three new trends dental industry leaders are tracking that could lead to future hurdles for providers and DSO executives:
Increasing ED visits
Hospital emergency departments are seeing an increasing number of pediatric patients seeking treatment for dental issues.
ED visits for dental issues unrelated to physical trauma increased by 57.9% among children 14 and under, according to a 2025 report from CareQuest Institute for Oral Health.
A spokesperson for Children’s Hospital Colorado also recently told KFF Health News that nontraumatic dental cases jumped 175% in the ED between 2010 and 2025. Pediatric dentists at the hospital said they are treating not just more patients, but more severe cases, with children now frequently arriving with widespread tooth decay rather than isolated cavities.
While the shortage of pediatric dental providers and deteriorating oral health has fueled the increase in ED visits in recent years, federal policy changes could exacerbate this issue further, particularly with Medicaid cuts under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Dental assistant shortage
Dentalpost’s 2026 Dental Salary Survey Report pointed to future challenges with recruiting and retaining dental assistants, showing that improvements in compensation, culture and workload are needed for stable retention.
According to the report, dental assistants are the likeliest dental professionals to be seeking new opportunities, with 47% considering changing jobs within the next two years. Among those considering changing jobs, 84% cite higher pay as a primary motivation, followed by better benefits and seeking a more appreciative employer. Only 54% of dental assistants said they are “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with their current work, compared to 57% last year.
More dentists reported trying to recruit dental assistants compared to hygienists over the last two years, according to the American Dental Association’s “State of the U.S. economy” report for the first quarter of 2026. During the first quarter, 36.7% of dentists reported recruiting dental assistants. Nearly 70% of dentists described recruitment as “Very” or “Extremely Challenging.”
Some of the challenges dentists are experiencing with hiring dental assistants include a shortage of qualified applicants and demand for high wages and benefits.
Low private practice supply
Sixty-nine percent of DSOs expect to increase their acquisition activity this year, but fewer available practices could put a wrench in those plans, according to TUSK Practice Sales’ “Dental Market Report” for the second quarter of 2026.
The DSO field is experiencing a high-demand, low-supply environment that TUSK expects to continue for the next nine months. TUSK stated that DSOs will likely become more selective of their deals, placing more scrutiny on financials, operations and practice performance projections.
However, the advisory firm reported that several states have more than 40% of active dentists aged 55 and older, representing one of the largest potential seller pools in the dental M&A market to date. This means the market could soon shift to favor DSOs once those dentists begin the sales process.
At the Becker's 5th Annual Future of Dentistry Roundtable, taking place September 14-15 in Chicago, dental leaders and executives will gain insights into emerging technologies, practice growth strategies and the evolving landscape of dental care delivery, with a focus on innovation, patient experience and operational excellence. Apply for complimentary registration now.
