One dentist in two reports decreased dental practice production in the past year – to the tune of nearly 20%, according to this survey.

But for 31%, dental production has increased by an average of 14%.

Here’s a sample of dentists’ thoughts on how production and collections have changed in recent years:

• “I am seeing half the new patients as ’08. It does not seem to matter how much I market.” (Texas dentist)
• “Things seem to be getting better.” (New York dentist)
• “We decreased overhead and thereby increased profit by $37,000.”
• “I feel slightly more optimistic about this year. I’ve implemented some newer skills, cosmetic dentistry, dental implants.” (General dentist)
• “Everything in dentistry is elective, excluding extractions, so we have to wait for the economy to get better. Looks like it’s got a long way to go.” (Indiana dentist)
• “More patients are doing larger treatment plans and are considering cosmetic dentistry and elective plans as opposed to need-based dentistry only.” (Tennessee dentist)
• “Production is gonna go down. More competitors are coming.” (California oral surgeon)
• “Not only is production down, but I have had to sign up with many PPO’s just to keep patients in the chair. And then it becomes not a question of production, but collections, considering an average 30% write-off on those patients.” (Ohio dentist)
• “Not as many clients scheduling are for their work. The primary reason is lack of funds. We have tried to approve them via dental credit cards, and most have not been able qualify.” (California dentist)
• “The beginning of 2010 was down in production and collections, so I approached a lender that I had a credit line with, to get an increase in the credit line. Not only was that request denied, but they reduced my current credit line. If the economy doesn’t show signs of turning around soon, many small businesses will fold. It’s scary.” (Arizona dentist)

Read more: Dental Production: Reduced Profits for 1 in 2 Dentists