General practice dentists saw a 17.9 percent drop in net income in 2020 compared to 2019, according to an analysis from the American Dental Association's Health Policy Institute.
The analysis estimates the effect the COVID-19 pandemic has had on dentist net incomes using data from the ADA Health Policy Institute's Survey of Dental Practice.
Three more report findings:
1. Compared to general practice dentists, specialist dentists saw smaller declines in both net income and hours worked.
2. Female dentists saw a larger drop in net income and hours worked than their male counterparts. The data clearly show that female dentists bore a more significant economic toll than their male counterparts, the researchers wrote.
3. Income reduction was parallel to a drop in hours worked, with the decline in hours worked largest for female dentists and older dentists.