The dental industry is quickly evolving to respond to the needs of patients and dental professionals, while also dealing with issues that could threaten its advancements.
Here are five trends reshaping the dental industry in 2025:
Artificial intelligence
Private practices and DSOs are continuing to invest heavily in new technologies that will improve efficiency and clinical care, especially artificial intelligence.
More dentistry are moving toward AI technologies as they realize its potential for practice enhancements. Additionally, more patients are taking up a preference for this technology as well.
Four out of 10 dental patients indicated they would switch their dentist to one that utilizes AI, according to a recent survey conducted by dental AI company Overjet. About one-third of the survey’s 1,000 respondents said their dentist currently uses AI to analyze X-rays. More than 40% believe that it is “important” or “very important” for their dentist to use the latest dental technology, including dental AI.
Several DSOs have implemented AI within their networks, with many executives believing that AI is one of the most prominent trends in the industry today.
Parkview Dental Partners CEO Rene Sauterieg referred to AI as a critical opportunity for all industries.
“Everyone needs to keep in mind that today’s version of AI is the worst it will ever be,” he told Becker’s. “It will only improve from here, and that could be additional support for our dentists, customer service support and revenue cycle support. There are a lot of ways to help leverage this to help [team members] be more effective and more efficient, so Parkview is continuously monitoring the AI space for new opportunities.”
Interstate dental staffing compacts
Two interstate dental compacts have come into play recently as states look for new ways to alleviate dental workforce shortages. These compacts allow dental professionals to more easily work in different states.
The Council of State Governments partnered with the Department of Defense, the American Dental Association and the American Dental Hygienists’ Association to create the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact. This compact increases license portability across member states for dentists and hygienists, removing the need for dental professionals to gain a license in each individual state.
The compact was officially activated in April 2024, with the commission having its first meeting the following August. Ten states have joined the interstate Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact, while 16 have legislation pending to join the compact.
The American Association of Dental Boards drafted its own compact in 2023. The Dental and Dental Hygienist Licensure Compact offers a voluntary, expedited pathway to licensure for dentists and dental hygienists who qualify. The compact has yet to be enacted in any state, but eight states have introduced legislation to join the compact so far.
Dental loss ratios
Dental loss ratios are gaining steam across the U.S. as states introduce legislation and dental organizations press federal agencies to create ratios for dental plans.
Eighty-three percent of dentists indicated they support requiring dental plans in their state to spend a percentage of premiums they collect on dental care for subscribers, according to a 2022 poll by the American Dental Association’s Health Policy Institute.
A first-of-its-kind initiative to add a loss ratio for dental insurers that matched that of medical insurers was greenlighted by Massachusetts voters in November 2022. This law requires carriers to spend at least 83% of premium payments on patient care and not on profits, salaries or administrative costs. Since then, several other states have passed or introduced legislation to implement their own dental loss ratios.
The National Council of Insurance Legislators adopted model legislation for a dental loss ratio in January 2024, with language approved by the American Dental Association and National Association of Dental Plans.
The ADA has suggested that CMS and HHS create a specific loss ratio for dental plans. It has also argued that optional dental benefits should be included in medical loss ratio calculations under Medicare Advantage.
Fluoride debate
Several states and cities have taken measures to end water fluoridation after a report from the National Toxicology Program sparked nationwide debate.
Last year, the NTP concluded in a report that higher levels of fluoride exposure are associated with lower IQ in children. Although being heavily contested by state and national dental organizations and criticized for its research methods, the report has still led legislators and other members of the public to question the safety of fluoride. Many cities have voted to end their water fluoridation programs, while Florida and Tennessee are considering statewide bans. Utah legislators passed a ban earlier this month, setting it up to be the first state to prohibit water fluoridation statewide.
Financial experts have predicted that ending water fluoridation could boost sales for suppliers of dental hygiene products and increase dental visits as consumers seek to improve their oral health. However, many dentists are not pleased with this possibility, sharing that removing fluoride from public water sources could have detrimental negative effects on the dental industry and public health.
“From a public health perspective, continuing fluoridation will save money in dental care expenditures 14 times greater than the cost of the fluoridation. No dentist wants to perform avoidable procedures on patients,” Corey Anderson, DDS, told Becker’s. “It is known that teeth are less susceptible to decay with fluoridation. The irreversible harm that comes from stopping fluoridation is completely unnecessary. Ending fluoridation benefits no one in the long run, and will increase toothlessness and diminish quality of life for patients.”
Unlicensed dentistry
Cases of unlicensed dentistry being performed on patients are on the rise, particularly with services such as veneers and braces.
Becker’s has reported on several cases of unlicensed dentistry in various states in recent years. This issue has led dentists and dental organizations to increase education and spread awareness about patients seeking care from unlicensed individuals.
The North Carolina Board of Dental Examiners reported receiving more complaints about veneer techs — individuals who are not licensed to perform dental work — in September. Bobby White, CEO of the dental board, said the board has filed at least 12 injunctions in the past year and a half against individuals who are accused of practicing dentistry without a license. In addition to an increase in veneer technicians, the board has also seen an uptick in reports of unlicensed dentists installing braces.
The American Dental Association also warned the public against visiting veneer techs earlier this year.
To combat this issue, the Illinois State Dental Society and the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulations launched a campaign to educate residents about the risks associated with unlicensed dentistry. The campaign, called “Fake Dentist, Real Risk – Verify Before You Trust,” aims to educate Illinois residents and push them to only seek care from licensed dentists. It also promotes verifying dental licenses and resources for reporting unlicensed services.