Best paid specialty?

[TarheelDDS]

I was reading around on some dental economics stuff and I got curious...

Excluding OMFS, what specialty makes the most?

I have always had the mindset they all have around the same income.

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[caffeinehigh]

If you're going into a speciality just for the $ then I'd suggest you just do a GPR and go out as a GP.

Granted specialists makes more then GP on average, but if you were a competent GP able to handle implants, sinus lift and other grafting procedures, as well as complex cases I see no reason why income would be a problem for you.

In the end, the people who make the most income run the best businesses, take care of their patients, and do quality work. They don't necessarily have more letters after their names....

 

[DrReo]

I was reading around on some dental economics stuff and I got curious...

Excluding OMFS, what specialty makes the most?

I have always had the mindset they all have around the same income.

Perio. These guys are managing soft tissue like no tomorrow, placing implants and running to the bank.

 

[browncrack]

Perio really isn't too bad. I thought it seemed kind of dull but the more exposure to it I have, the more I enjoy it.

 

[anonymousername]

if you keep your practice small with a decent pt load like the guy I shadowed.

You, your assistant, maybe a secretary, and a bucket full of cash.

but for actual dental work to income ratio...i would think that ortho is the best because the assistants can do so much.

 

[Palmetto914]

I've seen consistent reports that show peds being a very lucrative specialty...I don't know any specialists, though.

 

[NewNameForGoogleBot]

Endo

 

[lotexigeus]

Our dean told us it was pedo. Baby-boomers paying cash for their grandkids.

 

[TarheelDDS]

Seems like they all must get paid in the same range, because everybody has a different answer 😛.


I do agree with the comments on ortho however, always seemed like the best choice to me.

 

[DIRTIE]

Endo, nothing comes close except of course those surgeons. $1100 patient (average root canal) * 7/day= roughly 8K/day minus 50% overhead expenses= 4K x 4 days/wk= 16K wk x 50 wks yr= 800k/ yr something like that. Sounds crazy huh.

 

[jay47]

Gp probably has the POTENTIAL to make the most, although on average they rarely do because reputation is half the game (Dorfman,etc...)
Pedo depends a LOT on how fast you are, probably most stressful of specialties IMO.

Endo will make a lot on average, but probably never the most because work is so precise and assistants can't do much. Overhead is low though.

Ortho has assistants to everything and probably has the least working days, but markets are saturated in different areas.

Perio can make as much money as they want, but again assistants can't do much and have to have lots of connections for implant cases= longer time to get to high earning level.

I noticed no one mentioned Prosthodontics, although surprisingly I heard it can make the most- but I don't know how that is possible.

Each has pros and cons.

 

[armorshell]

I noticed no one mentioned Prosthodontics, although surprisingly I heard it can make the most- but I don't know how that is possible.

Prosth is the same as GP in your analysis, just think of them as a highly-trained GP (focused on fixed/removable/implant)

 

[Guy Smiley]

My vote is for pedo though you do have to work fast and hard to earn it.

As my example:

Listing Code: LALEBORI SALE PENDING
State: Louisiana
Location: Baton Rouge Area (Pediatric)
Opportunity Description:
Large PEDO practice located in Baton Rouge area. This well established practice collects over $3,000,000 per year. The 8 operatories are fully equipped to provide the best care for its patients. Great hygiene production. Experienced staff. Host is looking for partnership or someone to buy the practice. Host will stay on to insure the transition is successful. Owner financing will be considered. Tremendous opportunity for the right doctor. Call PARAGON today for a complete financial analysis and appraisal.

Click triangle icon to request information
on this practice opportunity. Click here to see consultant's personal web page

 

[okieduck]

Endo, nothing comes close except of course those surgeons. $1100 patient (average root canal) * 7/day= roughly 8K/day minus 50% overhead expenses= 4K x 4 days/wk= 16K wk x 50 wks yr= 800k/ yr something like that. Sounds crazy huh.

Except, overhead for those guys is less than 50%. Way less. Minimal staff, supplies consist of Gutta percha and files. Not a bad gig, but you've got to be talented.

 

[DrReo]

My vote is for pedo though you do have to work fast and hard to earn it.

As my example:

Listing Code: LALEBORI SALE PENDING
State: Louisiana
Location: Baton Rouge Area (Pediatric)
Opportunity Description:
Large PEDO practice located in Baton Rouge area. This well established practice collects over $3,000,000 per year. The 8 operatories are fully equipped to provide the best care for its patients. Great hygiene production. Experienced staff. Host is looking for partnership or someone to buy the practice. Host will stay on to insure the transition is successful. Owner financing will be considered. Tremendous opportunity for the right doctor. Call PARAGON today for a complete financial analysis and appraisal.

Click triangle icon to request information
on this practice opportunity. Click here to see consultant's personal web page

Listing Code: MSRYJAMC
State: Mississippi
Location: DeSoto County (Pediatric)
Opportunity Description:
Well established PEDO practice with a great reputation in one of the fastest growing areas in MS. Practice was established in 1971. Doctor is ready to retire. Over 2800 active patients (defined as seen in the past 24 months). Practice produces nearly $400,000.00 annually on 4 days per week. Contact PARAGON for a complete financial analysis and appraisal.

 

[jay47]

Except, overhead for those guys is less than 50%. Way less. Minimal staff, supplies consist of Gutta percha and files. Not a bad gig, but you've got to be talented.

Yeah I thought it was closer to around 25%

 

[DrReo]

Yeah I though it was closer to around 25%

Wasn't the last average for endo overhead ~43%?

 

[jay47]

My vote is for pedo though you do have to work fast and hard to earn it.

As my example:

Listing Code: LALEBORI SALE PENDING
State: Louisiana
Location: Baton Rouge Area (Pediatric)
Opportunity Description:
Large PEDO practice located in Baton Rouge area. This well established practice collects over $3,000,000 per year. The 8 operatories are fully equipped to provide the best care for its patients. Great hygiene production. Experienced staff. Host is looking for partnership or someone to buy the practice. Host will stay on to insure the transition is successful. Owner financing will be considered. Tremendous opportunity for the right doctor. Call PARAGON today for a complete financial analysis and appraisal.

Click triangle icon to request information
on this practice opportunity. Click here to see consultant's personal web page

Oh, we forgot to mention that overhead was 80%, sorry and that was for 2 doctors, not one.

 

[jay47]

Wasn't the last average for endo overhead ~43%?

I have no idea man, you are probably closer than me. I heard that number being thrown around by someone. 25% does seem really low. I am pretty sure that endo has the lowest overhead though.

 

[DrReo]

I have no idea man, you are probably closer than me. I heard that number being thrown around by someone. 25% does seem really low. I am pretty sure that endo has the lowest overhead though.

I can't find the ADA article I read that on.

 

[og2]

I have no idea man, you are probably closer than me. I heard that number being thrown around by someone. 25% does seem really low. I am pretty sure that endo has the lowest overhead though.

yeah, u're right that it's the lowest overhead. we had a dental CPA firm come in the other week and he quoted the 43% overhead for endo. not bad 👍

 

[TarheelDDS]

Yeah I think you can say any specialty makes the most "if you're talented and work really hard at it."

It seems so far that the best is endo...

 

[eventualOMFS]

Gp probably has the POTENTIAL to make the most, although on average they rarely do because reputation is half the game (Dorfman,etc...)
Pedo depends a LOT on how fast you are, probably most stressful of specialties IMO.

Endo will make a lot on average, but probably never the most because work is so precise and assistants can't do much. Overhead is low though.

Ortho has assistants to everything and probably has the least working days, but markets are saturated in different areas.

Perio can make as much money as they want, but again assistants can't do much and have to have lots of connections for implant cases= longer time to get to high earning level.

I noticed no one mentioned Prosthodontics, although surprisingly I heard it can make the most- but I don't know how that is possible.

Each has pros and cons.

This is the best reply I have seen. I'd like to add a few of my own thoughts.

OMFS is #1 for potential and average income. But that doesn't seem to be part of the discussion.

Pedos can indeed make a lot of $$. But it is also very difficult work. If you have the gift and the desire to do it, then you get rewarded. But again, it is stressful, and it takes a very particular personality. These residencies are not a "decision" in the same sense that ortho/endo/perio are....you really need to have that special ability. There's a reason that GPs refer so much Pedo out to the specialists.

Endo has long been extremely lucrative, particularly due to the crazy-low overhead. It is oft-knocked for being repetitious - but if you enjoy something, doing the same thing over and over might be ideal. One problem on the horizon for Endo is that dental implants are making people more 'okay' with losing a tooth. When people hear about their friend who had a $1k root canal, then an expensive apicoectomy, and THEN a dental implant....some pts are skipping right to the dental implant. This has Endo worried - which is why you now see endodontists in implant placement CE courses (crazy times).

Ortho is lower stress - almost no chance of medical emergency in your office. A very different type of dental practice. It can also be easily influenced by the economy - many orthodontists do extremely well, but some new grads are having a tough time finding enough pts.

Perio is an odd duck. They can be very successful, but some don't seem to be - in many cases, it seems to be a function of how many implants the doc places. It's an easier residency to get.

Prosthodontics is, in my opinion, something you do for the love and NOT the money. As mentioned, a prosth is little more than a GP with advanced training in prosthetics - the earning potential is not much more than a GP, especially considering the opportunity cost of residency. Some prosth practices end up looking a lot like GP practices.

Discussing specialties is fun stuff.

 

[mike3kgt]

Prosthodontics is, in my opinion, something you do for the love and NOT the money. As mentioned, a prosth is little more than a GP with advanced training in prosthetics - the earning potential is not much more than a GP, especially considering the opportunity cost of residency. Some prosth practices end up looking a lot like GP practices.

This is true but not complete. You have to do it because you love what you do, but you do have a higher rate of return as compared to GP. An endodontist is essentially a GP with "a little more training in endodontics" and a periodontist is essentially a GP with "a little more training in periodontal surgery." Pros is essentially a GP that charges a lot more .

According to American College of Prosthodontists 2008 survey:

Mean Total Gross Billings of Pros practices: $1,180,255
Mean Net Income of Prosthodontists: $309,776

According to ADA 2008 Survey on Dental Practice:

Mean Total Gross Billings of GP practices: $838,930
Mean Net Income of General Dentists: $205,960

Not too shabby.

Also here is a reference from JADA:
Nash KD, Pfeifer DL. Private practice and the economic rate of return for residency training as a prosthodontist. J Am Dent Assoc. 2005 Aug;136(8):1154-62.

 

[Slack3r]

Are specialists at all concerned with the increase in CE courses to allow GP's to essentially encroach on "their turf"? I doubt specialists will ever go the way of the dodo as there will always be cases too complicated for someone with a few weekend classes to handle. However, it seems like more and more GPs are expanding their practices with basic "specialist procedures", won't this eventually hurt specialists?

 

[Mackchops]

I like using Pros as an example since it's the restorative specialty and closest relative of traditional general dentistry. Two words of wisdom:

1) You don't know what you don't know. Until you learn it in residency.

2) Assuming you spend 60 hours a week x 50 weeks a year x 3 years in Pros residency, you're committing yourself to 9000 hours of "CE" as it were in concentrated prosthodontic training.

If you "believe" in the value of education and wide knowledge base, there's no substitute for residency training. Same holds true for the other specialties. Should a GP with CE training attempt a BSSO? Probably not. And I'd argue that the reason (besides licensing) is that the bar is raised. The risks are higher. What's the worst that can happen to a GP attempting a 16-unit FPD... The patient's jaw starts to hurt? Sure, an OS could botch a surgery just like a Pros could botch a FMR -- but the additional training is there to both help prevent problems and to better manage them if and when they come along. And for that reason, I believe that any education to the level of residency training is invaluable. Now, whether it makes financial sense for the dentist is an entirely different question.

 

[Teethandtrees]

Is there a reason why no one mentions oral pathology? I mean...it IS separate. Or dental public health? Why doesn't anyone want to do THAT??

 

[OceanDMD]

Is there a reason why no one mentions oral pathology? I mean...it IS separate. Or dental public health? Why doesn't anyone want to do THAT??

Why dont you go reread the OP. Do you really think public health or oral path are higher paying than the traditional specialties?

 

[mike3kgt]

What's the worst that can happen to a GP attempting a 16-unit FPD... The patient's jaw starts to hurt?

True, FMR may not have as much intra-operative risks and sequale, but I have personally met several dentists who have had their license suspended or brought in front of the dental board because they botched up a FMR. As a prosthodontist, if you botch a FMR, you may have a leg to stand on (in terms of your scope and training) but as a GP, the attorney will challenge you every time and will discredit your education and background.

No, your patient won't die from a poor crown margin or a denture sore, but you better believe there is great risk (and great reward) when doing complex, full mouth dentistry.

 

[eventualOMFS]

Is there a reason why no one mentions oral pathology? I mean...it IS separate. Or dental public health? Why doesn't anyone want to do THAT??

Do one of these if you LOVE it or if you wake up one day and find that you can't hold a handpiece without your hand shaking uncontrollably. I guess you could also do it if you wanted to teach it (though that would fall under the LOVE reasoning too).

Don't do it for financial gain - it's a losing proposition.

 

[mike3kgt]

Do one of these if you LOVE it or if you wake up one day and find that you can't hold a handpiece without your hand shaking uncontrollably. I guess you could also do it if you wanted to teach it (though that would fall under the LOVE reasoning too).

Don't do it for financial gain - it's a losing proposition.

You can make oral path, oral radiology, and dental anesthesia work financially very well. You'd be surprised at how well these folks do. Oral path is always in demand, albeit, you will probably be in academics. Dental Radiology is rising in demand thanks to CT scan increases and the liability factor. Dental anesthesia is rising in demand due to increased levels of 'sedation practices'.

Now public health on the other hand... hahahahahahahahahahahahaha..............😀

 

[jetlyting]

no matter how much you make---you can spend it. Believe me I've been there. I am a GP and learned about things I like to do from CE. I have a permit for IV sedation, learned implants, perio surgery, endo, botox for TMJ, juvederm lip filler, TMJ splints, have an I-CAT--you can diagnose sleep apnea/snoring immediately, I do sleep studies(my ENT friend owns a sleep lab, and if you get CBCT an ENT will be your best friend also), pedo (I have a dentist anesthesiologist come into my office and knock them out!!!!!! kids are like a light switch to me, they're either on or their off,) ortho.....sinus lifts, grafting...etc all from CE. I refer out as little as possible. You can take it to the limit if you are very self-driven. If you do love a particular part of dentistry---I would specialize. I like the option to refer or do it myself. If they're pretty healthy and nice, I'll do it. PITA goes to specialist. Either way, it takes years to earning the big bucks. In my office the specialists (OMS and Perio) come in and work for me.

 

[Teethandtrees]

Why dont you go reread the OP. Do you really think public health or oral path are higher paying than the traditional specialties?

I actually read somewhere that oral pathologists make an exceptionally decent living.
Besides, the thought of doing the same thing everyday without the potential to learn something new is my problem with traditional specialities. Everything evens out in the end except for OMFS and I'm not wasting my time doing that. Might as well have gone to medical school.
And yes, I know that public health won't make you hundreds of thousands. You can stop laughing now mike3kgt 🙂

 

[CanuckDDS]

no matter how much you make---you can spend it. Believe me I've been there. I am a GP and learned about things I like to do from CE. I have a permit for IV sedation, learned implants, perio surgery, endo, botox for TMJ, juvederm lip filler, TMJ splints, have an I-CAT--you can diagnose sleep apnea/snoring immediately, I do sleep studies(my ENT friend owns a sleep lab, and if you get CBCT an ENT will be your best friend also), pedo (I have a dentist anesthesiologist come into my office and knock them out!!!!!! kids are like a light switch to me, they're either on or their off,) ortho.....sinus lifts, grafting...etc all from CE. I refer out as little as possible. You can take it to the limit if you are very self-driven. If you do love a particular part of dentistry---I would specialize. I like the option to refer or do it myself. If they're pretty healthy and nice, I'll do it. PITA goes to specialist. Either way, it takes years to earning the big bucks. In my office the specialists (OMS and Perio) come in and work for me.

ah yes, the Jack of all Trades...🙄

 

[angelnyc89]

if you keep your practice small with a decent pt load like the guy I shadowed.

You, your assistant, maybe a secretary, and a bucket full of cash.

but for actual dental work to income ratio...i would think that ortho is the best because the assistants can do so much.

I agree, my Ortho just looks at my teeth and he tells the assistant what to do and she does everything. Very little stress and makes good $.

 

[TarheelDDS]

no matter how much you make---you can spend it. Believe me I've been there. I am a GP and learned about things I like to do from CE. I have a permit for IV sedation, learned implants, perio surgery, endo, botox for TMJ, juvederm lip filler, TMJ splints, have an I-CAT--you can diagnose sleep apnea/snoring immediately, I do sleep studies(my ENT friend owns a sleep lab, and if you get CBCT an ENT will be your best friend also), pedo (I have a dentist anesthesiologist come into my office and knock them out!!!!!! kids are like a light switch to me, they're either on or their off,) ortho.....sinus lifts, grafting...etc all from CE. I refer out as little as possible. You can take it to the limit if you are very self-driven. If you do love a particular part of dentistry---I would specialize. I like the option to refer or do it myself. If they're pretty healthy and nice, I'll do it. PITA goes to specialist. Either way, it takes years to earning the big bucks. In my office the specialists (OMS and Perio) come in and work for me.

Can you sell me jewelery like Luther's dentist on Coach??

 

[skatertudoroga]

Except, overhead for those guys is less than 50%. Way less. Minimal staff, supplies consist of Gutta percha and files. Not a bad gig, but you've got to be talented.

What does the talent consist of in endo? Can you tell what innate qualities you should have if you are to become an endo? And are not general dentists trained to do most root canals?

 

[Regmata]

You have to be talented enough to do the RCT's that most GP's cannot do and do them fast...and to be able to handle monotony 😛

 

[2thmaker]

What does the talent consist of in endo? Can you tell what innate qualities you should have if you are to become an endo? And are not general dentists trained to do most root canals?

I suppose it depends on your definition of trained. As general dentist, you have the full scope of practice; ie you can do molar endo, perio surgery, implant placements, wisdom teeth extraction, etc etc. Yes you are trained on how to perform these procedures, but will the middle of the road general practictioner be able to provide the services competently and to the level of the specialist? Some are very talented and can perform these procedures to the level of the specialist and even exceed them, but most do not have the case load and experience to perform them. It is the plain and simple truth.

Residencies were established for this reason. In general the specialist will perform the case to a higher degree of technicality (hand skills, knowledge of evidence based literature and advanced diagnosis / treatment planning).

I do however disagree that specialist take a shorter amount of time. It's actually counterintuitive. As an endo resident I've been exposed to many private practicing endodontists (many whom I admire for their integrity) and they tell me they it still takes them 2 hours to finish a good root canal (standard molar with no unforeseen difficulties). Why?? Again the simple truth is after doing several hundred cases in residency, you begin to appreciate the complex pulpal anatomy (look at Brown and Herbranson's atlas) and it takes that much more time and energy for the case. I went back to school because I am one of those dentists; I know I can be good and hopefully talented in a few procedures, but I am not capable of being "talented" in all procedures, so I picked what I liked best!

You'll hear similar analogies from other dental specialties as well.

What still cracks me up is the same story I hear, "I never get a referral from this guy/girl because he/she does all his/her own endo.... but then they ask me to do a root canal on their mother/father/family member..... and for FREE on top of that!!

It's the name of the game I guess!!!

 

[btpayne13]

I suppose it depends on your definition of trained. As general dentist, you have the full scope of practice; ie you can do molar endo, perio surgery, implant placements, wisdom teeth extraction, etc etc. Yes you are trained on how to perform these procedures, but will the middle of the road general practictioner be able to provide the services competently and to the level of the specialist? Some are very talented and can perform these procedures to the level of the specialist and even exceed them, but most do not have the case load and experience to perform them. It is the plain and simple truth.

I had no idea it worked this way. Is it right to assume then that a skilled GP has more potential to make more money than any specialist could, considering they could perform many different types of procedures?

 

[Mackchops]

I had no idea it worked this way. Is it right to assume then that a skilled GP has more potential to make more money than any specialist could, considering they could perform many different types of procedures?

I know a GP here in NYC who owns a giant practice and has specialists working for him certain days of the week. In that situation, who do you think makes more money? Many GPs do very well. Many GPs just scrape by. I'm sure the same is true for specialists.

 

[HupHolland]

I had no idea it worked this way. Is it right to assume then that a skilled GP has more potential to make more money than any specialist could, considering they could perform many different types of procedures?

No, because if you can't perform many different procedures EFFICIENTLY, then there is no use in doing them from a financial standpoint.

Just because a GP can take out an impacted wizzy doesn't mean it makes sense for them to do so. Let's say it takes the GP 1 hr and OS 10 min, on average. Factor in the headache of sedating patients, liability, etc and you realize why most GP's don't do this procedure. Now, there are GP's out there that are good and quick at wizzies, maybe even better than some OS (the one's who didn't have a strong dentoalveolar component at their residency).

Hup

 

[SC2013]

Does anyone have any hard, real numbers on how much a GP, and other specialties make? We should get a quickie poll on it, that would be so cool cause I dunno how accurate the stats really are.

 

[Regmata]

I wouldn't trust a single figure on here or what you hear around the dental schools. A lot of the posted salaries on here seem pretty inflated.

 

[mike3kgt]

Does anyone have any hard, real numbers on how much a GP, and other specialties make? We should get a quickie poll on it, that would be so cool cause I dunno how accurate the stats really are.

Translation: "I am too lazy to do a search through the literature to find some real statistics so I'd rather like to know the opinions of dental students on how much specialists make".

Seriously, go to the ADA's Survey section and you will find more information than you could ever imagine... and I guarantee you that their stats are much more accurate and representative than a SDN Poll.

 

[omaralt]

i've started to here that things are not as great as they once were (for everybody). orthodontists; especially in the southern california region, are having a very hard time finding new patients. doesnt matter how easy your work is, if you dont have patients, you dont get paid. many people see ortho as a more cosmetic/optional thing, so they'll hold off on it. Endo also is not as lucrative as it once was. a friend during dental school's dad is an endodontists, and he was telling me that his income has dropped 30% since the early 90's. i'm sure he's still doing great, but with the advent of many differnet rotary systems (sequence, etc), and different filling techniques (thermafil), many GP's are doing their own endo's, especially the easy anterior cases. so now all they get are the complicated re-treats and molars. with the complicated cases that involve surgery, many patients are opting to extract and implant.

perio is great; as long as you do lots of implants. prosth is like being a glorified GP; and with this economy people are not doing as many full mouth re-habs as they once were. i'm doing more and more ext's and dentures. one of my most profitable procedures is oral surgery. i extract most of the teeth that come my way, and they're straight profit for the most part. no real over head, other than the occassional blade and sutures. thats why i love being a GP, do what i want and refer what i dont 🙂

 

[dentaldawg32]

i've started to here that things are not as great as they once were (for everybody). orthodontists; especially in the southern california region, are having a very hard time finding new patients. doesnt matter how easy your work is, if you dont have patients, you dont get paid. many people see ortho as a more cosmetic/optional thing, so they'll hold off on it. Endo also is not as lucrative as it once was. a friend during dental school's dad is an endodontists, and he was telling me that his income has dropped 30% since the early 90's. i'm sure he's still doing great, but with the advent of many differnet rotary systems (sequence, etc), and different filling techniques (thermafil), many GP's are doing their own endo's, especially the easy anterior cases. so now all they get are the complicated re-treats and molars. with the complicated cases that involve surgery, many patients are opting to extract and implant.

perio is great; as long as you do lots of implants. prosth is like being a glorified GP; and with this economy people are not doing as many full mouth re-habs as they once were. i'm doing more and more ext's and dentures. one of my most profitable procedures is oral surgery. i extract most of the teeth that come my way, and they're straight profit for the most part. no real over head, other than the occassional blade and sutures. thats why i love being a GP, do what i want and refer what i dont 🙂

Here's a solution: Don't live in California.

 

[charlestweed]

i've started to here that things are not as great as they once were (for everybody). orthodontists; especially in the southern california region, are having a very hard time finding new patients. doesnt matter how easy your work is, if you dont have patients, you dont get paid. many people see ortho as a more cosmetic/optional thing, so they'll hold off on it.

A lot of orthos suffer because they charge too much…they have to because they spend too much $$$ to maintain their state of the art offices. The demand for ortho tx is high in CA, but there is a shortage of orthodontists who are willing to treat low income Hispanic patients at significantly lower fees. Patients don’t mind driving 20-30 miles every month to see me because my fees are reasonable.

I have no problem scheduling 60-80 ortho patients a day. For me, treating 80 ortho patienrts a day is easier than doing 1-2 molar RCTs. When I have fewer than 50 patients, I tell my office manager to close a day or two for the next couple of months. When it gets too busy, I just add more days. I am doing fine with just 12-13 days/month at my private practices. I work 11 days/month for Newport Dental as an associate because I want to …not because I have to.

 

[Stroszeck]

i have heard similar things about endo....most GP's the last 5-10 years doing their own and not referring.

i was wondering what about pedo? no one ever really talks about pedo potential....

 

[OU2010]

There have been many posts on this thread and other threads talking about how many GP's are doing more of their own endo work and referring less. This is a conversation I found with the president of AAE and his thoughts on GP's doing more endo.

A little disclaimer...unless I totally just missed the date of this publication I don't not know when this interview happened.( Which could all together void my point.)


GW: What percentage of root canals are being done by GPs as opposed to endodontists?
DR. OLMSTED: We estimate about 70 percent of root canals are being performed by general dentists.

GW: That surprises me.
DR. OLMSTED: Well, it surprised us too. But that estimation is based on numbers we've gotten from the dental insurance industry.

GW: Is that a concern for you?
DR. OLMSTED: **No, it's not a concern. There simply aren't enough endodontists in the country to handle all the root canals that are needed.** It's interesting though that most people in the country don't seem to know what an endodontist does. There are about the same number of endodontists in the United States as dermatologists. Yet most people know what a dermatologist does; but if you ask them what an endodontist does, you often get a blank stare. We're working on making the public more aware of us, and also trying to educate the public on endodontic treatment.


http://www.dentalcompare.com/featuredarticle.asp?articleid=113

Your thoughts?