Dental Industry    Market Reports

The general theme, for the 1st Quarter 2010, is that some leading dental industry business indicators such as practice profitability, revenues and practice activity are beginning to reflect the stabilization and recovery experienced by the wider U.S. economy. The U.S. unemployment rate, which has recently seen a decrease during the 1st Quarter 2010, should start to ease major concerns within the dental industry particularly, as employment creation contributes to increase the pace of business activity in the dental practice. Nonetheless, taking into account the lag that is usually observed between post-recessionary expansion and employment growth, unemployment is not expected to diminish swiftly during 2010. This will likely dampen dentists’ expectations on the volumes and mix of certain dental procedures to be demanded by patients in the near future – a prediction that seems to be supported by this report’s findings. The 1st quarter 2010 edition of OMNIDEN^TM - AFG Research’s U.S. dental omnibus - which included several questions designed to gather dentists’ opinions regarding the current state of the U.S. economy and the way their practice has been affected by the current economic environment expands on two measures for tracking both the current and expected state of dental practice activity: the “AFG Research current dental activity index” and the “AFG Research dental activity expectations index”. Some degree of conservatism remains for expectations on overall business conditions and technology expenditures / investments – the proportion of practices holding expectations of improvement in business conditions and technological expenditures has decreased during the last 3 quarters (48% to 43% to 40% for business conditions and 25% to 21% to 20% for expenditures in technologies). Again, this may point out to a return to normal investment predispositions rather than a discouragement towards investment activities. The present quarter’s results also indicate that the number of “On the edge” dental practices is currently at an all time low since the beginning of this longitudinal tracking study. | more ...

The 4th Quarter 2009 U.S. Dental Patient Survey Report provides insight into the impact of the current economic situation on patients’ dental visit patterns, as well as changes to patient insurance coverage. Based on data collected as part of AFG Research’s U.S. Patient Dental Survey, a representative sample of 500 U.S. adults was surveyed during the month of December 2009. The sample was designed to maintain nationwide representation among U.S. adults (aged 18 and over). The last economic crisis has impacted the majority of American industries - the dental industry included. This report aims to address the extent to which patterns in dental visits have shifted, as well as the impact of the economy on patients’ insurance coverage. A significant proportion of U.S. adults surveyed indicated that the economic situation over the past 12 months had affected their dental visits in some way. Many among patients reduced the frequency of their dental visits. This report will help dental manufacturers and other dental industry participants in understanding the circumstances facing U.S. dental patients, the changes that have occurred in the dental market due to the economic situation and the impact this may have on the dental manufacturers’ business in 2010 and beyond. | more ...

The 4th Quarter 2009 U.S. Home Dental Care Products Report provides insight into the U.S. market for the following product categories: toothpaste, power toothbrush, manual toothbrush, mouthwash, dental floss, dry mouth oral moisturizer, canker sore treatment, cold sore treatment and take-home whitening / bleaching treatment. Based on data collected as part of AFG Research’s U.S. Patient Dental Survey, a representative sample of 500 U.S. adults was surveyed during the month of December 2009. The report aims to assess usage levels (consumer market penetration) for each of the nine home dental product categories included in the scope of this research. Additionally, both market awareness (aided) and market share are estimated for approximately 50 leading dental brands currently available in the U.S. home dental care consumer market. Dental manufacturers and others in the dental industry will be able to further assess home dental care product category usage as well as brand awareness / market share in each of the product categories included. | more ...

Multiple leading and lagging economic indicators are showing signs that the U.S. economy is stabilizing and moving towards the direction of gradual recovery. Serious concerns however remain about the pace and scope of the recovery with many predicting a lackluster recovery over the next year. The U.S. unemployment rate, which has reached a seemingly stable level of around 9.5 to 9.7% in the third quarter of 2009, should be a concern for the dental industry particularly, as job losses are generally related to the loss of business activity in the dental practice. Given recent and significant productivity gains and taking into account the lag that is usually observed between post-recessionary expansion and employment growth, unemployment is not expected to decrease before the end of 2009. This will likely have an adverse impact on both dental benefits and employer-sponsored dental plans. The 3rd quarter 2009 edition of OMNIDEN^TM - AFG Research’s U.S. dental omnibus - which included several questions designed to gather dentists’ opinions regarding the current state of the U.S. economy and the way their practice has been affected by the current economic environment also introduces two measures for tracking both the current and expected state of dental practice activity: the “AFG Research current dental activity index” and the “AFG Research dental activity expectations index”. Overall business conditions, as well as practice activity, revenues and profitability are perceived to be similar this quarter to the levels measured in the 2nd quarter of 2009. A majority of U.S. dentists expect however that overall business conditions and practice activity will ‘significantly improve’, ‘somewhat improve’ or ‘remain the same’ over the next 6 months. | more ...

AFG Research gathered product usage and attitudes among U.S. dentists across 6 consumable and 8 equipment categories. Results are made available as part of twelve new U.S. Market Snapshot Series™ 3rd Quarter 2009 reports. Specifically, AFG Research probed into U.S. dentists' attitudes towards various manufacturers, measured manufacturer brand usage, estimated the current penetration rate for each equipment category and estimated the market share and/or share of procedures for each manufacturer included in this research. The rate of growth for each equipment category was also estimated. Additional information about each of the twelve new U.S. Market Snapshot Series™ 3rd Quarter 2009 reports is available below:

• U.S. Market Snapshot Series™: Chairside CAD/CAM

• U.S. Market Snapshot Series™: CBCT & Digital Panoramic X-Ray

• U.S. Market Snapshot Series™: Digital X-Ray

• U.S. Market Snapshot Series™: Digital Impression Systems

• U.S. Market Snapshot Series™: Electric Handpieces

• U.S. Market Snapshot Series™: Hard/soft & Soft Tissue Lasers

• U.S. Market Snapshot Series™: Composite Materials

• U.S. Market Snapshot Series™: Flowable Composite Materials

• U.S. Market Snapshot Series™: Dental Adhesives

• U.S. Market Snapshot Series™: Dental Impression Materials

• U.S. Market Snapshot Series™: Dental Cements

• U.S. Market Snapshot Series™: Pit and Fissure Sealants

Some leading and lagging economic indicators are showing signs that the U.S. economy has stabilized in the 2nd quarter of 2009. Serious concerns remain however about the pace and scope of the recovery with many predicting a lackluster recovery during the 2nd half of 2009. Against this backdrop, there is growing optimism among U.S. dentists as indicated in the 2nd quarter 2009 edition of OMNIDEN^TM - AFG Research’s U.S. dental omnibus - which included several questions designed to gather dentists’ opinions regarding the current state of the U.S. economy and the way their practice has been affected by the current economic environment. It appears most evident as approximately one half of dentists (54%) surveyed are now expecting the economy to improve over the next 6 months, compared to only 20% in the 1st quarter of 2009. Their growing optimism is also reflected in the expected change in the volume of multiple dental procedures. Many dentists expect the volume of many procedures to remain the same or become slightly higher in the next 6 months, even for indirect procedures which were the most impacted during the downturn. The research also confirmed three underlying segments among U.S. dental practices: "On the edge", "Bandwagon" and "Robust". Perceptions of the U.S. economy, procedure volume (past and forecasted), as well as dental equipment / technology purchases are clearly different among each of these three segments. | more ...

The 1st quarter 2009 edition of OMNIDEN^TM - AFG Research’s U.S. dental omnibus - included several questions designed to gather dentists’ opinions regarding the current state of the U.S. economy and the way their practice has been affected by the current economic environment. Results for these questions are made available as part of a report titled: “Dentists and the U.S. Economy 1st Quarter 2009”. The report will help dental manufacturers and distributors to: a) assess the current business environment of the industry, b) better understand the ways in which dentists across the U.S. are coping with changes in the economic environment, c) identify key opportunities for adapting their business to better address the needs of their customers, and d) identify future trends and developments to better forecast business activity in 2009. The research points to three underlying segments among U.S. dental practices: "On the edge", "Bandwagon" and "Robust". Perceptions of the U.S. economy, procedure volume (past and forecasted), as well as dental equipment / technology purchases are clearly different among each of these three segments. | more ...

Toothpaste will continue to dominate the key consumer segment, while lower volume products such as whitening strips, floss and dentures lead gains. The professional segment will outpace the consumer market, spurred by more dental visits per year. Continuing urbanization, as well as government and private efforts to promote good hygiene in rural areas, will boost per capita consumption of dental products in China through 2012. Demand to increase 11% per year through 2012 Demand for dental products in China is expected to climb 11.0 percent per year through 2012 to ¥21.5 billion, driven by the increasing number of Chinese who are using dental products to improve their appearance and the growing popularity of professional dental care. Rising personal income levels will make dental products more affordable to consumers while government programs will increase awareness of the benefits of good oral care. Growth in professional market to outpace larger consumer market Consumer dental products – including toothpaste, whitening products, dental rinses and mouthwash, dental floss, and denture products -- account for about three-quarters of overall Chinese dental product demand. Toothpaste dominates the consumer dental product segment.  | more ...

The 4th quarter 2008 edition of OMNIDEN^TM - AFG Research’s U.S. dental omnibus - included several questions designed to gather dentists’ opinions regarding the current state of the U.S. economy and the way their practice has been affected by the current economic environment. Results for these questions are made available as part of a report titled: “Dentists and the U.S. Economy 4th Quarter 2008”. The report will help dental manufacturers and distributors to: a) assess the current business environment of the industry, b) better understand the ways in which dentists across the U.S. are coping with changes in the economic environment, c) identify key opportunities for adapting their business to better address the needs of their customers, and d) identify future trends and developments to better forecast business activity in 2009. | more ...

The "U.S. Dental Practice Management Software Market 4th Quarter 2008” report provides an overview of the Practice Management Software market and an outlook on market trends for the next 6 months. The report is based on data collected from a representative random sample of 250 dentists (GPs and specialists) across the U.S. during Q3 2008 and provides the most current and in-depth analysis of recent developments in this rapidly evolving product category. The report will help software providers and dental manufacturers to: a) identify the size of the market and the market share of various software vendors, b) assess the strengths and weaknesses of all major brands in the category *as reported by end-users*, c) better understand pricing perceptions for key systems, etc. | more ...

The U.S. dental product and material industry is analyzed in this study. It presents historical demand data (1997, 2002, 2007) and forecasts for 2012 and 2017 by product (e.g., prosthetics, fillings, orthodontic appliances, veneers, whiteners, adhesives and cements, sealants, toothpastes, mouthwash/dental rinses, dental gum); and raw material (metals, chemicals, ceramics, silica, polymers). The study also considers market environment factors, evaluates company market share and profiles leading industry competitors. Growth in demand will be aided by favorable population trends, continued interest in cosmetic dentistry and a greater perception of oral care as a requirement for good overall health. U.S. demand to grow 4.5% annually through 2012. Demand for dental products (excluding equipment) in the U.S. is forecast to rise 4.5 percent per year to nearly $11 billion in 2012. Solid growth in the over 55 population will provide opportunities, as older individuals are more likely to require repair and restorative dental products, such as crowns, bridges or dentures, than other segments of the population. In addition, individuals such as aging baby boomers and generation Xers are increasingly likely to engage in cosmetic procedures, such as whitening or veneers, in order to maintain a youthful appearance. In general, consumers are becoming more aware of the benefits of cosmetic dental procedures partially due to aggressive marketing. Cosmetic procedures are also becoming increasingly important to dental professionals as these treatments are highly profitable and allow practitioners to avoid interaction with insurance companies, since cosmetic procedures are typically excluded from coverage. The continued introduction of advanced over-the-counter dental products will also provide opportunities through the forecast period.  | more ...

The "U.S. Bite Registration Material Market 4th Quarter 2008” report provides an overview of the bite registration market. The report is based on data collected from a representative random sample of 250 dentists (GPs and specialists) across the U.S. during Q4 2008 and provides the most current and in-depth analysis of recent developments in the product category. The report will help dental manufacturers to: a) identify the size of the market and the market share of various manufacturers, b) assess the strengths and weaknesses of all major brands in the category, c) better understand price / value perceptions for various products / manufacturers, etc. | more ...

U.S. demand for medical and dental adhesives and sealants will rise 7.6 percent annually through 2011 driven by continuing new product development and increasing acceptance in surgical and consumer settings. Opportunities are expected for cyanoacrylate, polyethylene glycol and various plasma and protein types. This study analyzes the $1.2 billion U.S. market for medical and dental adhesives and sealants. It presents historical demand data (1996, 2001 and 2006) and forecasts for the years 2011 and 2016 by adhesive and sealant product (e.g. acrylic, cyanoacrylate, silicone, polyethylene glycol| collagen, fibrin, albumin), application (e.g. medical, dental) and market (primary care, dental offices, consumer). Much of this growth can be attributed to the aging US population, as older individuals are more likely to require surgical and dental procedures. Advances will also depend on continuing new product development and increasing acceptance of these materials in surgical and consumer settings. | more ...

This study analyzes the $2.4 billion U.S. dental equipment industry. It presents historical demand data for 1996, 2001 and 2006 and forecasts to 2011 and 2016 by product (e.g., hand instruments, lasers, imaging systems, instrument delivery systems, toothbrushes, seating, lighting); and market (e.g., dental offices, consumers, dental laboratories). U.S. demand for dental equipment will grow 3.8 percent annually through 2011, aided by favorable population trends and strong interest in technology updates. In general, advanced equipment such as lasers, intra-oral cameras, digital radiography and CAD/CAM systems will lead gains. Dental offices will remain the largest market and grow the fastest. Advanced technology to provide most rapid gains. In general, equipment that features advanced technology, such as lasers, intra-oral cameras, digital radiography and CAD/CAM systems, will provide the most rapid gains. Dentists are seeking higher tech equipment to improve office productivity, expand their procedure capabilities, and attract new patients with a state-of-the-art office appearance. Furniture and lighting are expected to achieve moderate growth, yet benefit from dental chair purchases, as dentists attempt to create comfortable settings for their patients. Lighting will benefit from a shift to higher value-added technologies, such as LED and fiber optics.
 | more ...