Insurance issues, the workforce shortage and increasing costs are some of dentists’ top concerns for their practices at the start of 2026, according to a survey from the American Dental Association.
More than half of respondents said low insurance reimbursements and staffing, recruiting and retention were among their top challenges this year.
The ADA’s Health Policy surveyed 751 respondents on the top three challenges they expect to face in 2026.
The responses were published in the organization’s “Economic Outlook and Emerging Issues in Dentistry” report for the fourth quarter of 2025.
Source: Reimbursements, staffing and expenses among dentists’ challenges for 2026 / Becker’s Dental