The Dental Recession Continues for Most Dentists

The dental recession is still going strong. While the government recently declared the recession officially “over,” a mere 4% of dentists agree.

“We are finding that the recession has actually gotten worse,” said one dentist.

In fact, only 18% feel things are improving. For 78% of dentists and practices, the recession is still going strong.

Here are some dentist comments:

• “Still doing big cases, but fewer. Feeding the staff too. Going to survive, but it was a rough 2009, and 2010 has not been a lot better. It took a while to adapt.” (General dentist)
• “Down 40% over last 2 months. Across almost all dental offices we’ve talked to and almost all business.” (Pennsylvania dentist)
• “Forty years and worse business than ever. Almost no new patients and lost a dental hygiene day for first time in 38 years.” (California dentist)
• “We are working harder, but we are up 10% for the year.” (General dentist)
• “Definitively slowing down since beginning of September.” (Orthodontist)
• “We are finding that the recession has actually gotten worse.” (Pennsylvania dentist)
• “Yes, I feel that the recession is finally over, but I’m not holding my breath that there won’t be a double dip recession on the horizon. We are staying prepared just in case!” (Ohio prosthodontist)
• “How can the recession be over when the unemployment rate is at record highs?” (California dentist)
• “While I see some improvement, my schedule is so much lighter than two or three years ago. The majority of my patients choose to do only essential dental work and defer most cosmetic dentistry treatment.” (General dentist)
• “If we listened to everything the Government said we would all be taken for fools!” (Florida dentist)

Read more: Dentists Say the Recession Is Not Over