Non-DSO affiliated dental practices are more skeptical of the economic recovery of the dental industry and of the U.S. economy, according to a recent poll by the American Dental Association's Health Policy Institute.
The ADA group surveyed dentists in its monthly "Economic Outlook and Emerging Issues in Dentistry" poll. The most recent poll reflects the views of dentists during the week of May 16.
Confidence in economic recovery by DSO affiliation:
DSO
In the respondents' dental practice
Very confident: 36.4 percent
Somewhat confident: 36.4 percent
Neither confident nor skeptical: 18.2 percent
Somewhat skeptical: 9.1 percent
Very skeptical: 0 percent
In the dental care sector in general
Very confident: 27.3 percent
Somewhat confident: 41.8 percent
Neither confident nor skeptical: 14.5 percent
Somewhat skeptical: 16.4 percent
Very skeptical: 0 percent
In the U.S. economy
Very confident: 7.3 percent
Somewhat confident: 32.7 percent
Neither confident nor skeptical: 18.2 percent
Somewhat skeptical: 27.3 percent
Very skeptical: 14.5 percent
Non-DSO
In the respondents' dental practice
Very confident: 25.8 percent
Somewhat confident: 38.8 percent
Neither confident nor skeptical: 17.9 percent
Somewhat skeptical: 14.2 percent
Very skeptical: 3.3 percent
In the dental care sector in general
Very confident: 17 percent
Somewhat confident: 41.8 percent
Neither confident nor skeptical: 20.6 percent
Somewhat skeptical: 17.2 percent
Very skeptical: 3.4 percent
In the U.S. economy
Very confident: 3.1 percent
Somewhat confident: 18 percent
Neither confident nor skeptical: 17.5 percent
Somewhat skeptical: 34.6 percent
Very skeptical: 26.8 percent