Dentists have always been in demand since the advent of the drill.  Most people are comfortable with the fact that their dental health can be directly related to their general health, and vice versa.  But since the beginning of the recession, dentists have seen their patients less and less frequently, and the field of dentistry, especially the education sector is starting to see the forest for the trees.

It makes logical sense that someone who has less money, or is less willing to spend their money during a recession would be less likely to visit a dentist.  Dentists have a hard enough time marketing the idea that their services are necessary for good health even in non-recession years.  As the unemployment numbers rise, fewer and fewer people have the money to see the dentist. 

But another downside to the recession for dentists is the fact that as more and more people become unemployed, there are less and less people with health insurance that covers dental work.  Those who are uninsured would rather opt for a handful of doctor’s visits throughout the year over one visit to the dentist that costs them the same amount.  Many people feel more comfortable neglecting their dental health than their overall health.

If dentists could successfully educate the public about the positive link between oral health and overall health, they may have better luck convincing the general public to visit the office more often.  It remains to be seen whether or not the healthcare reform being talked about and worked on currently by the Obama Administration would offer much relief to dentists in dire need of more patients as well.  Dentists could both benefit or be hurt by reform, depending on what shape it takes.

Those in dental school already know that the cost of tuition and later, of insurance once they become dentist is extremely high.  As demand for dentists drops during a recession it is logical that demand for dental education would drop as well.  This could create an accordion effect where, as the recession subsides, the demand for dentists will rise without a corresponding rise in the supply of new dentists.  This could create a very lucrative market for those already involved as dentists, and those brave and rich enough to get through dental school during the recession.

The occupation of dentist will likely always be in demand.  People’s health depends on it.  But whether or not there is a supply surplus at this time, to be followed directly by a supply shortage of the professionals will have to be settled at a later date.  Dentists all over the country are having a hard time attracting new patients.  The most successful ones have realized that in times of recession and slow business, that customer service and satisfaction is key.  The name of the game has become retaining patients, and not so much attracting new ones since the latter is quite difficult when people have very little money to spend already and may or may not have any health insurance coverage.