Abstract
This newly updated Marketdata study examines the $5.3 billion dental labs
industry and the operations of the 12,000 labs operating in the U.S. These
facilities provide a variety of products and services for dentists (crowns,
bridges, dentures, implants, orthodontics, inlays, etc.). The industry is
getting a boost from the cosmetic dentistry boom and aging Baby Boomers that are
asking for more esthetic/appearance-enhancing products such as veneers.
The bulk of these labs are small, most grossing less than $500,000 in annual
sales. The study analyzes: industry revenues for 1987-2008 forecast, 2002-2003
performance and recovery from the last recession, how labs operate and services
performed, major industry issues and emerging trends, industry structure and
evolution, current lab worker wages (by job function), and product fees.
The study also includes an extensive analysis of demand factors (patient
demographics, spending on dental care, orthodontics mkt.), as well as technology
trends, dental school enrollments, and detailed national/state Census operating
ratios. Profiles are included for the top 6 multi-lab chains: National Dentex,
Dental Service Group, Dental Technologies, Glidewell Labs, DaVinci Dental
Studios, and Americus Dental Labs.
Research for the study was based on primary research involving custom
Marketdata telephone surveys and extensive secondary sources from the industrys
leading trade associations (NADL), trade journals (Lab Management Today),
consultants and special reports (Peter Stein report).