New AACD survey measures pulse of cosmetic dentistry industry

A recent survey of dental professionals conducted by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) and Acuitim Marketing Research and Consultancy reveals that cosmetic procedures continue to bring life to dental practices.

The 2017 survey was conducted between October and December of 2017 and garnered responses from 363 dental professionals. The survey includes a snapshot of current cosmetic dental practice demographics, narrative summaries of key survey results, comparisons to 2015 data when applicable, and comparisons between AACD member and non-member respondents.

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Overall, the data presents encouraging findings relating to the profitability of offering cosmetic procedures, even though the average number of procedures performed by respondent practices is down about 15 percent from 2015. The amount the average cosmetic dentistry patient spent on services at respondents’ practices in the past year increased, with 45 percent of respondents selecting the top five tiers available in the survey ($2,500 to $20,000+), up eight points since 2015 and two points higher than 2013.

The 2017 survey findings also present encouraging findings relating to membership in the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). AACD General Members report charging 40 percent more than non-members for cosmetic procedures, and Accredited Members report charging 90 percent more than non-members for cosmetic procedures. Non-members reported average total revenues of $523,585 from all dentistry (cosmetic and non-cosmetic), while AACD General Members averaged twice that ($1,065,642). AACD Accredited Members’ revenues averaged $1,602,823, and 71 percent of AACD Accredited Members who responded are in practices with more than $1 million in revenues.

The results of the survey are reassuring for dentists who already offer cosmetic procedures in their practice and should be catalyzing for dentists who don’t. Sixty percent of respondents identified themselves as general dentists, strongly suggesting that cosmetic procedures are no longer exclusively in the realm of a few practitioners - though specialized training in cosmetic procedures and membership in the AACD offer a competitive advantage and tangible financial gains.

The AACD has conducted the biennial State of the Cosmetic Dentistry Industry Survey since 2004, and the data collected is used to determine the size and impact, in terms of procedures and revenues, of the cosmetic dentistry market. The State of the Cosmetic Dentistry Industry Survey Report provides valuable insights into the industry and can help dentists make informed decisions for the future of their practices - a future that continues to look bright.

The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry is a valuable resource for continuing education in comprehensive cosmetic dentistry. The AACD equips dentists with the skills and confidence they need to provide their patients predictable cosmetic results, which in turn translates to treating more cosmetic patients and being able to charge more for cosmetic procedures.

To download the State of the Cosmetic Dentistry Industry 2017 Report, visit www.aacd.com/2017survey.

To learn more about the benefits of AACD membership, visit www.aacd.com/join.