Boost Production by Adding New Cosmetic Services

Dentists looking to boost production may wish to expand the number of cosmetic procedures they offer, as signs point to steady or increasing demand for services. A survey of dental professionals conducted by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry* (AACD) reveals that revenues from cosmetic procedures have either increased or remained consistent from the previous year. What’s more, the practitioners who offer these services expect this trend to continue.

The survey was sent to a sampling of AACD members and nonmembers, with nearly three-quarters of the responses generated by the membership. Overall, 60% of the respondents identified themselves as general practitioners, with 29% describing themselves as cosmetic dentists.

One of the key takeaways is that referrals are the principal driver in demand for cosmetic services, as 93% of respondents ranked word of mouth as the most important factor in bringing patients to the chair. The survey also revealed the top issues on cosmetic patients’ minds are appearance (99%), cost of treat – ment (88%), and lon gevity of results (77%).

As noted in the chart (left), cosmetic restorative therapies and bleaching were the most frequently performed services. When limited to only one selection and asked to choose the most popular cosmetic treatment, however, clinicians ranked whitening, bonding and veneers at the top, as these three categories accounted for 84% of responses.

Production wise, cosmetic services are a valuable addition to any practice. When asked about average production per cosmetic patient visit, dentists noted that two-thirds of these treatments billed at $1000 or more — with 27% of visits yielding $2500 or more. That’s enough to brighten anyone’s day.

*Source: American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Cosmetic Dentistry State of the Industry Survey, 2015