In this episode, Dr. Marko Vujicic, Chief Economist and Vice President of the ADA Health Policy Institute (HPI), shares data-driven insights into the trends and challenges shaping dentistry in 2026. While the end of 2024 saw a surge in economic optimism, that confidence softened throughout 2025 amid tariffs, rising overhead costs, and broader national economic uncertainty—leaving many practices in a more cautious, “wait-and-see” mode.
Drawing from ADA HPI’s quarterly surveys, the discussion highlights that core concerns remain consistent: insurance pressures top the list, followed by persistent staffing shortages and increasing operational costs. Nearly 90% of practices continue to report hiring challenges, even with a growing pipeline of hygienist graduates and rebounding patient volumes. The episode explores whether technology can offset workforce gaps in a fundamentally hands-on…
