Here are five statistics Becker’s has reported on in recent months that could lead to opportunities for growth and progress in the dental industry:
1. Consumer dental spending has increased by 24% over the last 10 years, according to the American Dental Association’s “State of the U.S. Dental Economy” report for the second quarter of 2026.
2. Dentists’ confidence in their individual practices, the overall dental sector and the U.S. economy continues to rise, largely driven by the large demand for dental services. More than 60% of dentists recently reported being confident in their practices, while 50.2% said they are confident in the dental sector and 39.7% said they are confident in the U.S. economy as a whole.
3. The dental industry has seen slight improvements in employment growth over the last 12 months, according to the ADA’s “State of the U.S. Dental Economy” report. The total number of jobs grew 1.5% over the previous 12 months in June after two years of stagnation.
4. State lawmakers have continued advancing dental insurance reforms in 2026, with 14 states enacting 21 laws so far this year. Issues addressed in the legislation include dental loss ratios, virtual credit card payments, network leasing, assignment of benefits, retroactive claim denials and downcoding.
5. Several states have either approved or proposed legislation this year to expand Medicaid dental coverage for residents or increase reimbursements for dental providers.
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.
