The future prospects of the traditional solo-doctor, private practice are bleak. There are a number of challenges facing the dental industry but there are four factors primarily responsible for the declining prosperity of the typical general dentist and more importantly, the doctor-patient replationship.
- Decreased or stagnant reimbursement from third party payers.
- Increased labor, technology, and supply costs.
- Increase student loan obligations.
- The emergence of direct to consumer appliances.