Pediatric dentistry has emerged as one of the most resilient specialties in the dental industry, with a boost in workforce growth and financial stability.
The global pediatric dental market value is anticipated to reach more than $48 billion by 2033, driven by factors such as an increasing prevalence of dental disease in younger populations and government-supported oral health initiatives.
Pediatric dentistry is also the second fastest-growing dental specialty, according to AMN Healthcare. This is due to a growing focus on early intervention and preventive care, along with rising birth rates.
New data from the American Dental Association shows pediatric dentistry has seen the largest increase in the workforce since 2001. The number of pediatric dentists ballooned from 4,213 in 2001 to 9,312 in 2024.
Although specialty fields generally tend to fare better during economic downturns compared to general dentistry, the prioritization of children’s oral health could be a driving factor for the field’s resiliency, according to John Bell, CFO at Fireside Dental Co., a platform supporting independent pediatric dentists.
“I have four kids, and I think most parents, by and large, if they have to start making trade-offs, they’ll always sacrifice themselves before their kids,” Mr. Bell told Becker’s. “Our members have seen no drop in patient volume. It’s just the rising costs have cut into their profits. Most people in the industry know dentistry is almost fail proof. I think the number is 3% that go out of business. So it’s very resilient, very sustainable because, overall, there are such large profit margins. I think it’s that very steady patient volume, regardless of what’s going on in the economy, where a mom’s going to take care of her kids and take them to the doctor or the dentist, and she’s going to make that a priority. I think that’s one of the advantages for pediatric dentists.”
Barry Lyon, DDS, dental director for Main Street Children’s Dentistry and Orthodontics and Dental Care Alliance, told Becker’s that an influx of millennials is driving the specialty’s workforce growth.
“[Millennials] are socially conscious, they seek meaningful careers and they value experiences over possessions,” he said. “These are characteristics that are aligned with those caring about the well-being of children and wanting to make a difference in children’s lives.”
Dr. Lyon also expects demand for pediatric dentistry to continue should the federal government opt to remove fluoride from public water supplies. Despite the optimistic outlook, Dr. Lyon shared that pediatric dentists have the most to lose from fluoride removal and federal Medicaid cuts. He suggested that to remain stable and profitable, pediatric dentists should invest in new technologies and treatments such as artificial intelligence and laser therapy.
DSOs have also turned to pediatric dentistry in recent years to enhance patient care and spur growth. Boca Raton, Fla.-based Sage Dental launched its Sage Dental Kids brand in 2024 with the goal of keeping patients within its own network throughout their lifetime.
Several pediatric-focused DSOs also gained new funding from investors, including Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Vitana Pediatric & Orthodontic Partners, Denver-based Lone Peak Dental Group and The Woodlands, Texas-based Blue Cloud Pediatric Surgery Centers.
“Pediatric dentistry and orthodontics will be a big part of DSOs’ movement into specialty care,” Dr. Lyon told Becker’s in 2024. “Pediatric dentistry is especially attractive to DSOs because demand is very strong, operating costs are less than other specialty practices, there is a steady stream of recurring revenue through hygiene services and profits are greater.”
