Although the COVID-19 pandemic had long-lasting effects on dentistry, the lessons learned from this period could help the industry handle other future crises.
Barry Lyon, DDS, a chief dental officer for the division of orthodontics and pediatric dentistry for Dental Care Alliance, recently spoke with Becker's about the biggest ways the pandemic effected dentistry.
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.
Dr. Barry Lyon:
Although we knew it was within the realm of possibility, no one saw the pandemic coming, and no one could foresee the far-reaching effects it would have on dentistry. The impact on the profession was profound.
The pandemic’s effect on the ability of dentists to provide care greatly affected earnings. According to the American Dental Association, the average general dentist saw a 17.9% decrease in net income in 2020 compared to 2019, with specialists somewhat less affected. Older general dentists, those age 65 and older, saw a 27.5% decrease in net income. Clearly, this explains the boom in general practices seeking affiliations with DSOs in the following years.
Almost as significant, and certainly helping to hold back a return to pre-pandemic income levels, was "The Great Resignation," a never-before-seen phenomenon when a shortage of dental office employees seriously impacted the dentist’s income levels. This was particularly noteworthy regarding the inability of dentists to hire dental hygienists. By August 2021, less than half of dental hygienists that left employment during the pandemic had returned to work, according to the ADA. Similarly, the ability to hire, and consequently retain, dental assistants was also affected. These shortages hindered the ability of general dentists to meet the post-pandemic demand for dental care.
Dentistry has always been a resilient profession. It has been able to weather financial ups and downs better than other sectors of the economy. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median income for dentists in 2020 was $159,200, and in 2023, it was up to $170,910.
United Kingdom-based health intelligence and data analytics company Airfinity predicts a 27% chance of another pandemic within 10 years. The lessons learned in 2020 can only help dentistry endure.