Dentistry has always been an extraordinarily resilient industry. In a time of great upheaval, can it summon the old magic to ensure the best outcomes for doctors and patients alike?
By Rick Cohen and Chuck Cohen
IT FEELS AS THOUGH economists have been predicting an imminent recession for years. So far, it hasn’t materialized. Dentistry remains recession-resistant, if no longer recession-proof. The more exciting question now: When will the industry boom again like it did between 2000 and 2020? Novid Parsi explores what dentists and experts are saying about reigniting that growth, and what some practice owners are already doing to spark their own revenue upswings.
As we write this in early June, the latest driver of recession fears, President Trump’s tariffs, has eased somewhat, though businesses will likely be flummoxed for some time as the debate over the levies’ legality works its way through the federal courts. Industry veteran Lisa Randazzo talks to dentists about how they’re hedging against the uncertainty of possible price rises, with at least one saying, “I don’t feel the industry will be affected much.” That’s entirely possible considering, at Benco Dental, nearly half our products are American-made, and less than 9 percent come from China, where the proposed tariffs would hit hardest.
Which brings us to our annual 32 Most Influential People in Dentistry. This year’s No. 1 is Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the secretary of Health & Human Services, known for his controversial stance against water fluoridation. For a deep dive, we called on author and New York Times contributor Mark Caro to recap how we got here and where the fluoridation debate might go.
Beyond individuals, there are important trends to unpack. One shift: Public companies, once buoyed by high market caps and rapid industry growth, are being eclipsed by private firms whose leaders have more freedom to focus on long-term strategy without quarterly earnings pressure. Outside investors are buying into public companies while valuations are low, going all-in on dentistry’s seemingly endless ability to rebound.
Also notable are midmarket practices. They’re killing it, effectively scaling the efficiencies of larger DSOs for smaller clusters of offices, giving big competitors a run for their money. And the push for fairer insurance reimbursements and dental loss ratios continues, with the ADA playing a key role amid internal changes.
This month’s contributors, meanwhile, offer solutions for living and working smarter. Laurie Owens explains how dentists can leverage medical insurance to promote broader care. Dr. Vonetta Dotson shares simple brain-health tips (page 20). And if you’re planning a summer trip, fashion director Jeffrey Ampratwum offers advice to travel light yet still look stylish.
Certainly, this is a time of change. But change often boosts prosperity, as we’ve seen over and over since Incisal Edge’s first issue in 1997. Our 32 Most Influential list is essential reading to understand who’s driving that change—and how their actions affect your practice or institution, your investments and your career. Agree? Disagree? We’d love to hear from you.
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