While several strides have been made to improve access to care for pediatric dental patients, demand is expected to continue for providers in this field, according to Barry Lyon, DDS.
Dr. Lyon, a chief dental officer for the division of orthodontics and pediatric dentistry for Dental Care Alliance, recently spoke with Becker's about how the pediatric dental field has evolved.
Editor's note: This Q&A is part of a weekly series featuring Dr. Lyon focused on topics in the dental industry and DSO field. This response was lightly edited for clarity and length.
Question: How is the pediatric dental field expected to grow in the future?
Dr. Barry Lyon: The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry predicts the number of pediatric dentists in the U.S. will grow by more than 60% within the next decade. Historically, the number of pediatric dentists practicing in the US has almost doubled since 2001 and is projected to grow an additional 6% through 2028. Interestingly, since 2020, there has been a 5.9% increase in pediatric dentist compensation.
The demand for pediatric dental care is expected to be sustained over the next decade for a number of reasons. Rural and economically stunted areas of the country have a need for pediatric dental care that cannot be met because of an increase in the incidence of tooth decay and a shortage of providers in those areas. There has also been a spectacularly effective effort by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry to educate parents and pediatricians about children’s oral health. Finally, The Affordable Care Act gave dental benefits to as many as 8.7 million additional children, bringing demand for children’s dentists to unprecedented levels.