Dental practitioners from large group practices were more confident in the economic recovery of the dental industry and U.S. economy than those from smaller practices, according to new data from the American Dental Association.
The data was featured in the ADA's monthly poll providing insight into the economic challenges facing dental practices during a specific week.
Levels of confidence in recovery for the week of Feb. 14 by practice size:
Recovery of respondents' dental practice
Solo dentists
Very confident: 27.1 percent
Somewhat confident: 39.5 percent
Neither confident nor skeptical: 16.4 percent
Somewhat skeptical: 14.1 percent
Very skeptical: 2.9 percent
Two to nine dentists
Very confident: 38.5 percent
Somewhat confident: 38.3 percent
Neither confident nor skeptical: 12 percent
Somewhat skeptical: 9.6 percent
Very skeptical: 1.6 percent
Large group (10+ dentists)
Very confident:42.9 percent
Somewhat confident: 47.6 percent
Neither confident nor skeptical: 4.75 percent
Somewhat skeptical: 4.75 percent
Very skeptical: 0 percent
Dental care sector
Solo dentists
Very confident: 20.7 percent
Somewhat confident: 42.9 percent
Neither confident nor skeptical: 18.6 percent
Somewhat skeptical: 15.3 percent
Very skeptical: 2.5 percent
Two to nine dentists
Very confident: 26.9 percent
Somewhat confident: 44.7 percent
Neither confident nor skeptical: 16.4 percent
Somewhat skeptical: 10.6 percent
Very skeptical: 1.4 percent
Large group (10+ dentists)
Very confident: 28.6 percent
Somewhat confident: 47.6 percent
Neither confident nor skeptical: 19 percent
Somewhat skeptical: 4.8 percent
Very skeptical: 0 percent
U.S. economy
Solo dentists
Very confident: 5.9 percent
Somewhat confident: 24.9 percent
Neither confident nor skeptical: 20.7 percent
Somewhat skeptical: 31.9 percent
Very skeptical: 16.6 percent
Two to nine dentists
Very confident: 10.2 percent
Somewhat confident: 28.3 percent
Neither confident nor skeptical: 20.6 percent
Somewhat skeptical: 27.1 percent
Very skeptical: 13.8 percent
Large group (10+ dentists)
Very confident: 14.3 percent
Somewhat confident: 28.6 percent
Neither confident nor skeptical: 28.6 percent
Somewhat skeptical: 19 percent
Very skeptical: 9.5 percent