MEDIUMIndustryTier 1
The orthodontic workforce has expanded by 17% since 2001
SourceBecker's Dental + DSO ReviewTier 1Hard News
By Cameron Cortigiano
Originally at beckersdental.com
Summary & scoring by The Bell Brief (Dr. Jennifer Bell) using the Drill-Down Protocol (Drill-Down Score) — not the original publisher.
Why it matters for dental
Orthodontic workforce growth outpaces total dentist growth by a wide margin, signaling more competition for specialist referrals and possible downward pressure on case fees for practice owners and DSOs.
Key points
- American Dental Association Health Policy Institute counted 10,844 orthodontists and dentofacial orthopedists active in the U.S. in 2025.
- Orthodontic workforce grew 17% between 2001 and 2025, rising from 9,265 to 10,844 practitioners.
- Total U.S. general-practice and specialty dentists grew 26% over the same period.
- Year-end counts show a modest decline from 10,921 in 2021 to 10,844 in 2025.
Who should care
OwnerDSOSpecialist
Read the original on Becker's Dental + DSO Review
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