Dentists are facing compounding factors fueling financial troubles for their practices this year.
Five notes:
1. Although several states have increased reimbursement rates for dental services, they are still not enough to keep up with the pace of inflation, according to data from the American Dental Association. The organization reported that reimbursement rates increased slightly in February. However, long-term trends show that rates are not keeping pace with overall inflation or the rise in practice expenses. Reimbursement rates in most states fall below 50% of dentist charges and 60% of private insurance reimbursement, according to 2025 data from the ADA.
Source: Why dental practice owners are feeling a financial squeeze in 2026 / Becker’s Dental