Several dental practices are experiencing higher costs this year associated with staffing, supplies and operations.
Four dentists recently spoke with Becker's to discuss where they are seeing higher costs and how these price increases are affecting their practices.
Editor's note: Responses were lightly edited for clarity and length.
Question: In what areas are you seeing higher price tags at your practice this year?
Bill Choby, DMD. The Center for Dental Implants (Greensburg, Pa.): The higher price tags are most visible in the areas that reflect the higher energy costs, e.g. postage and package transport. These energy costs are also affecting the manufacturing of the materials we use everyday in the office. My office is very price-sensitive to retain our rate of productivity for our regular base of patients. However, insurance companies are also trying to walk the fine line between keeping us involved with reimbursement increases and happy patient subscribers. It has become a careful balancing act to keep the pipeline full.
Frank Clayton, DDS. Owner of Clayton Dental (Suwanne, Ga.): We are seeing higher expenses across the board, but especially in labor and lab costs. We haven't had to make any larger capital expenditures, so I can't speak for larger purchases, but for sure supply costs have increased.
Raul Escalante, DDS (San Marcos, Calif.): I've been in practice for 34 years now and it seems only lately I've noticed price increases. I believe I've noticed it more because they appear in almost everything, and everyone has given me a "price increase notice." From dental materials I purchased to staff salary, this past year and currently I've had to spend more to cover my overhead. Given that, I would say the biggest price increase has come from our building's owner's association. Year after year, they increase the association dues by 5-10%, which I understand. However, this past February they hit us with a 37% increase. Everyone I know complained, but the association wouldn't budge. They changed management companies and this is how they greeted us.
Michael Perpich, DDS. Northland Smiles (Deerwood and Little Falls, Minn.): [I'm seeing] several higher price tags. With the shortage in dental assistants and hygienists, the wages to retain those workers have increased. In addition, increases in rent and lab fees have made things difficult. These issues coupled with dental insurance reimbursements not increasing by the same amount have made it extremely hard on dentists to be profitable.