How Dental Practices Can Grow Their Business

As of 2026, the United States has over 800,000 dental professionals, including 200,000 dentists. However, as many as 35% of dentists feel that they are struggling to source both clientele and employees alike. On the employee side, dentists reported that only 40% of open dental hygienist positions were actually filled in Q3 of 2025. But the customer side is much more complex.

Because of worsening economic conditions, nearly 1 in 10 Americans change homes annually, which can mean that turning new customers into returning clients is difficult. In fact, it is estimated that 43% of new patients only visit that practice once. Furthermore, layoffs are rampant and people without dental benefits typically do not go to the dentist often. In 2023, around 13% of US patients reported the cost barriers to dental care were too high for them. This has a cascading effect, as the fewer people going to a specific dental practice means that that practice also gets less word-of-mouth referrals.

For many dentists, the answer to sourcing clientele is virtual. A virtual presence is crucial in the modern era of technology and often serves as a first point of contact. Fortunately, marketers like the Dental Marketing Guy make it easy to put your practice out there. With SEO, AI, and website design tools, your dental practice is sure to get a step ahead on the virtual front.

Source: Dental Marketing Guy