As of 2023, the American Dental Association reports that there are approximately 202,304 registered dentists actively practicing across the United States. The dental laboratories industry has reached a market value of $7.0 billion. Notably, California, Florida, and New York are the states with the highest concentration of dental laboratories, housing 763, 448, and 340 labs respectively.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused widespread disruptions, including the temporary closure of dental clinics, which led to a significant backlog in dental treatments. This backlog has contributed to the growth of the dental treatment industry. Additionally, periodontal disease and dental caries are common, affecting more than half of the U.S. population. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that over $124 billion is spent annually on dental care in the country.
However, the dental laboratories industry faces notable challenges. The industry is characterized by a medium-high growth risk and intense competition. Over the past five years, from 2018 to 2023, the number of dental laboratories in the U.S. has declined by an average of 0.9% annually. By 2023, the total number of dental labs had decreased to 9,259, a 0.9% drop from the previous year.
To mitigate costs and maintain high-quality standards, many dentists and dental laboratories are increasingly outsourcing their cases to overseas facilities. This trend is driven by the attractive combination of lower costs and excellent quality available internationally.
Istar Dental Lab in China exemplifies this trend, offering a full range of dental lab services and specializing in outsourced dental cases. For more information about their offerings, interested parties are encouraged to inquire.
