the DPR Editorial Team

 are big business. It won't shock anyone to hear that-but did you know 69 percent of adults ages 35-44 have lost at least one tooth? It's true! And that's a lot of clients who might be interested in implants in the future.

That's just one of the stats we put together for this infographic on dental implants. In it, you'll find data from our partner on this piece, 

, along with trends and stats from the American 

Free on-demand webinar: Understanding medical billing and its relationship with 3D

Simply click the image below to download the whole infographic. It'll look great on your computer, and even better on a tablet! We hope it helps you get an even better idea of how you can help the coming wave of edentulous Americans get their smiles back.

This infographic originally appeared in the May 2015 issues of DPR and DLP. 

Click here to subscribe: http://bit.ly/17ocF5z

Articles

 Dental implants are big business. It won't shock anyone to hear that-but did you know 69 percent of adults ages 35-44 have lost at least one tooth? It's true! And that's a lot of clients who might be interested in implants in the future.

Infographic: Dental implants by the numbers

 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. Unique to this meeting, and as part of the company’s 

 campaign launched in November 2014, i-CAT introduced the latest “Their Story” featuring 

This growing collection of stories illustrates how doctors are using 

to help better patients’ lives every day. In Natalie’s case of transmigratory impacted canines in the mandibular jaw, information from the i-CAT scan helped Dr. Carlson formulate a treatment that allowed Natalie to save her canines and thus retain her full complement of teeth.

Free On Demand Webinar: Understanding medical billing and its relationship with 3D

Also at this meeting, the theme of saving canines was taken to the next level as i-CAT partnered with the 

, an established 501(c)(3) nonprofit, no-kill animal shelter in Northern California. Its mission is to provide education, adoption services, and sanctuary for many types and ages of animals. Representatives from the Milo Foundation including John Fonseca, outreach coordinator for the Milo Foundation, were at the booth on Saturday and Sunday, and attendees got their photos taken with some

that were on site to promote pet care awareness.

We talked with the founder of the Milo Foundation while at the AAO in San Francisco...

Related reading: Put your dog's dental hygiene in their paws [VIDEO]

“The Milo Foundation was excited to participate with i-CAT in the 2015 AAO Annual Session,” said Fonseca. "As an animal rescue organization, the animals’ good health is extremely important, dental health included. This was an innovative opportunity for us to share information about our work and encourage support to help the many homeless animals not only in California, but throughout the country.”

Jessica Kachmar, marketing manager for i-CAT, added, “We were very happy to host Dr. Carlson and Natalie and eager for clinicians to visit with them and discuss their inspiring story at our booth. The success of that treatment entailed much hard work and knowledge from Dr. Carlson, effort and energy from Natalie, and quality 3D cone beam scans from i-CAT. We are also appreciative of the humanitarian work done for needy animals by the Milo Foundation, and i-CAT donated more than $3,000 to this worthy cause.”

Related reading: Oral health in man's best friend

As you can see, the dogs were a huge hit with those who attended the meeting and stopped by the i-CAT booth to make a donation and meet a new friend.

More information on “Their Story” is at 

. For more information on the Milo Foundation’s good works, visit 

 i-CAT™ a brand of the KaVo Kerr Group, exhibited at the recent 2015 AAO Annual Session at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. Unique to this meeting, and as part of the company’s “Their Story” campaign launched in November 2014, i-CAT introduced the latest “Their Story” featuring Dr. Sean Carlson and his patient, Natalie. 

i-CAT partners with the Milo Foundation Animal Sanctuary to save canines at the recent AAO meeting

	These are the products helping to achieve exceptional results, while keeping young patients in the dental chair as little as possible.

There are some key factors that make for a great pediatric dental product.

They should be easy to use and provide long-lasting, exceptional results. Plus, they should be designed to keep patients in the chair for as little time as possible-younger patients do not have the tolerance. And lastly, they need to make planning and clean-up time for practitioners a breeze.

Here are five products that are filling the gap and making pediatric dentistry easier in their own unique way.

If you have yet to hear what Biolase’s WaterLase iPlus is doing for the pediatric industry, you should hear it first hand from this family:

Last year, Anna Ziebarth had a small cavity for the first time in years and instead of having to make an appointment and come back to the dentist for a traditional filling, her dentist at Comprehensive Dentistry for Adults and Children in Costa Mesa, Calif., suggested fixing the problem right then and there, 

More on Biolase: Why the Biolase WaterLase iPlus gets 5 stars

She was so impressed with the technology and how quick and easy the procedure was, she decided it was time to introduce her two daughters, Zoe, 11, and Lux, 8, to a new practice and a new dentist. Read about their experience here and how 

the WaterLase iPlus eased the fears of the Ziebarth girls

 and how it lessens the discomfort for all children at the dentist.

More from Biolase: Biolase launches first-ever practice growth guarantee

NuSmile, a leading manufacturer of pediatric crowns, offers an array of crowns that are easy to place and give a child needing restorative treatment the most natural-looking smile.

Related reading: NuSmile Pediatric Crowns' NuSmile ZR zirconia crowns achieve a natural, esthetic outcome [VIDEO]

Described as an evolutionary step forward for pediatric dentistry,

 are easy-to-use and ensure a successful restoration every time they are used. The autoclavable crowns are identical in size and shape to 

NuSmile’s revolutionary ZR zirconia crowns

, and eliminate the need for additional preparation and cleaning steps necessary with zirconia or all-ceramic restoration. Additionally, NuSmile ZR zirconia crowns are now available for centrals, laterals, cuspids and molars.

“If general dentists are going to treat children, they should be using products like NuSmile crowns,” said Kaneta Lott, a pediatric dentist in Atlanta, Ga. “Children need to be treated well … just as well as adults.”

For more information about NuSmile Try-In Crowns or to view a complete product list, visit NuSmile Pediatric Crowns at 

In an October 2012 DPR study on dentists’ positions regarding digital imaging, the majority of respondents - 54% - indicated that the “most compelling message” driving digital adoption was 

Related reading: How i-CAT FLX is advancing diagnosis and treatment planning

The i-CAT FLX is a great product for this concern, especially when treating young patients. The

 is an advanced 3D imaging solution that enables quick diagnoses with less radiation, and allows clinicians to develop treatment plans more easily and accurately. QuickScan+ delivers a full-dentition 3D scan at a lower dose than a pan.

Clinpro™ 5000 1.1% Sodium Fluoride Anti-Cavity Toothpaste

Set young patients who are over six years old on the right track with caries prevention and oral hygiene. With Clinpro 5000 Anti-Cavity Toothpaste, its prescription-strength 5000ppm fluoride toothpaste aids in caries prevention, helps strengthen enamel and helps reverse white spot lesions. Plus, it’s available in three flavors: Vanilla Mint, Bubble Gum and Spearmint.

Related reading: A clinician reviews 3M ESPE's Clinpro 5000 anti-cavity toothpaste

We first saw this product at IDS in Cologne, Germany, and loved the way that the interaction will help children with their oral health care habits. The products range from toothbrushes to brush heads, whitening solutions and more.

Read more about Philips Sonicare for Kids Connected here

More from Philips: Philips Sonicare unveils AirFloss Pro, changes to BreathRX, Fluoridex and PerioRx

 These are the products helping to achieve exceptional results, while keeping young patients in the dental chair as little as possible.

5 products making pediatric dentistry easier while delivering better results [VIDEO]

2015 Best and Worst States to Work in a Dental Practice

 For many of us, we’re pretty partial to where we live and work. We think it’s a great place with a lot of great features. Maybe you love that you’re close to the mountains or ocean. Maybe you love the big-city vibe or the small-town feel. Maybe you think this is the best place to raise a family or the best place to be single and free. Maybe, just maybe, it’s the place where you were born and raised and you can’t imagine living anywhere else.

From 1 to 50: The Best and Worst States to Work in a Dental Practice

	We recently asked 101 dental practices around the country about whitening. We wanted to know if it was offered and what were some of the obstacles to patients accepting it.

Within the next five pages, you’ll see what you told us about whitening in your practice. Of course, there’s always room to grow this part of your practice. When we talked to practice management consultant Gary Takacs about the subject, he gave us some great ideas on how to boost your office’s whitening bottom line. 

Check out our exclusive interview with him here

Virtually all adults (99.7%) believe a smile is an important social asset.

96% of adults believe an attractive smile makes a person more appealing to members of the opposite sex.

Three-quarters (74%) of adults feel an unattractive smile can hurt a person’s chance for career success.

And when respondents were asked, “What would you like to improve most about your smile?” The most common response was whiter and brighter teeth.

VIDEO: The important role hygienists play with in-office whitening

So patients have said whitening is important … but are they taking advantage of it in your practice? Read on to see what you told us, and hear thoughts on the survey results from Catherine Diaz-Cardoso, marketing manager for whitening for 

Just under 75 percent of the practices we surveyed said they offered in-office whitening.

“That’s very much in line with our data,” Diaz-Cardoso said. “We haven’t seen much change over the last few months so that seems very consistent with our numbers.”

A majority of dental practices said that they are doing about the same amount of whitening as last year. However, more answered they were doing less this year than those who said they were seeing an increase.

“I’m not surprised,” Diaz-Cardoso said. “Consumers now have a lot of options for whitening. There is a proliferation of oral health items that people can buy now to help them enter whitening at a very low cost barrier, including toothpaste. If people can buy toothpaste with the added benefit of whitening, they’re going to do that and think they are taking steps to whiten their smiles.”

This was perhaps the most surprising result of our survey that we saw. We’ve heard for quite some time that white teeth are seen as a very important quality to dental patients, yet 56 of the 101 respondents (55.5 percent) listed whitening as only somewhat important to the practice and patients.

Very important (16.8 percent) actually came in third behind not very important (23.8 percent).

“There is a lot included in this question,” Diaz-Cardoso said. “How important is it to the practice? It’s important, but it has to be relevant to everything else being done in the practice. Patients are concerned about many things with their oral health, including whitening. Yes, they’re concerned about yellow teeth but they also know there are solutions to help them with that (like the toothpaste mentioned earlier). Many consumers don’t realize the difference that a professional whitening treatment will really deliver.”

We’ve known for a while that cost was the biggest roadblock for whitening services being accepted … but did we really know it was this big of a hurdle? Of our respondents, 76.5 percent listed cost as the thing that holds patients back from accepting whitening treatment.

“Consumers in general are not aware of the types of professional whitening solutions available,” Diaz-Cardoso said. “There’s a misconception out there that professional whitening is only for celebrities or people with a big budget. It’s important for dental practices to communicate the pricing information right up front. If you’re going to bring a patient in with a whitening promotion, make sure you share the price point. In many cases, consumers will be pleasantly surprised.

“The misconception about cost and professional whitening doesn’t have to be there. Look at Philips Zoom QuickPro. It’s a great professional brightening option for budget-minded patients who can spend about $99 to $125.”

RELATED: QuickPro named as one of top 5 patient game-changers of 2014

Yes hygienists, when it comes to who has the job to explain whitening and its benefits, it falls to you in most of the practices (to the tune of 69.7 percent of our respondents).

 We recently asked 101 dental practices around the country about whitening. We wanted to know if it was offered and what were some of the obstacles to patients accepting it.

What 101 dental practices told us about their perspectives on in-office whitening

A recent report by the Scheduling Institute revealed that dental practices are losing money and business simply because of the way the phone was being answered in the practice.

After researching more than 12,000 dental practices in the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom, below are just three of the things listed in the report that turned a prospective new patient into a missed opportunity.

35% of the calls conducted, during normal business hours, went to voicemail. The number one rule when you have a business (especially one that is investing in marketing) is to 

 when it rings! Money is being wasted on marketing that encourages your potential new patients to call, but your staff isn’t answering the phone. That is thousands of dollars down the drain.

The staff person spewing out unasked for and confusing information, such as how insurance works and doesn’t work, how long appointments take, pricing details, confusing information that isn’t relevant to the new patient, etc. The Scheduling Institute often discovered staff members diagnosing, advising or prescribing to the callers, which invites significant legal danger for the practice.

STUMBLING, BUMBLING, OBVIOUSLY FEARFUL ANSWERS

Staff members were often very uncomfortable on the phones, struggling to answer questions and unsure of how to respond to the most basic inquiries by the callers. The staff members would stumble with their words and often put callers on hold for several minutes, failing to treat the potential new patient with the respect and care he or she deserved.

RELATED: How the Scheduling Institute changed one dentist's practice

These are just three of the things uncovered by the Scheduling Institute in what they describe as a groundbreaking dental marketing discovery.

Editor's Note: Phone photo is "Bildtelefon T-View 100" by --

 19:50, 17 March 2007 (UTC) - Own work. Licensed under 

 A recent report by the Scheduling Institute revealed that dental practices are losing money and business simply because of the way the phone was being answered in the practice.

3 common, crushing mistakes made by the person answering your dental practice's phone

Another IDS (International Dental Show) has come to an end. DPR and DLP sent editors to check out the latest products launches and industry news-we saw everything from a gold-painted Porsche to a dancing robot.

But most importantly, we saw new product launches that amazed us, products that will drive the industry for years to come. In no particular order, here are 10 amazing products that blew our minds at this year’s IDS.

 unveiled a new, complete, cement-free treatment concept developed to address the most common challenges faced when restoring molar teeth. The solution features a choice of new wide-platform implants and restorative options designed specifically for the posterior region. Also launched at IDS was an entire new parallel-walled implant system, NobelParallel Conical Connection (CC). 

A new CBCT scanner from the company that changed dental imaging

 presented the 3Shape X1™, its new four-in-one CBCT scanner. With the addition of the 3Shape X1™, the 3Shape product portfolio reportedly will provide dental professionals with a complete range of digital imaging solutions to choose from. The 3Shape X1™ enables CBCT, panoramic, cephelometric and face scanning in one system.

A cool new way to connect to your patients

	Oz Display demonstrated their new Smart Table product that brings practice and case management to a table-top solution. The interactive tabletop computer provides a highly interactive, specialized way to handle and manipulate patient data, including a way for patients to receive their file images and data.

Komet introduces new two-step composite polisher at IDS

When it comes to work on composite fillings, the standard procedure is starting with a tungsten carbide finisher, followed by diamond interspersed polishers. Up to now, 

 has been offering a three-step and a one-step polishing system. Now it has closed the gap by adding a two-step system.	 

KaVo Lythos Digital Impression system released at IDS 2015

The new KaVo Lythos Digital Impression system is designed to replace traditional impression and reportedly will therefore make dentistry become integrated. KaVo Lythos reportedly provides an intuitive and flexible scanning workflow that offers you maximum flexibility.	 

Stratasys introduces Objet260 Dental Selection 3D Printer

Stratasys’ unique triple-jetting technology, the Objet260 Dental Selection is said to raise the bar in 3D printed dental model realism to improve the accuracy and efficacy of digital dentistry. The versatile new 3D printer is designed to help mid- to large-sized dental and orthodontic labs grow their business by producing realistic models with true-to-life look and feel as part of their end-to-end digital dentistry workflow, including intraoral scanners. 

Vigilant Biosciences debuts OncAlert Oral Cancer Risk Assessment System

	Vigilant's initial product, the OncAlert Oral Cancer Risk Assessment System, includes the OncAlert Oral Cancer Rapid Point-of-Care Risk Assessment Test and the OncAlert Oral Cancer CD44 + Total Protein Lab Test. Both products in the OncAlert System are based on patented technology that reportedly detects specific protein markers known to indicate an elevated risk for oral cancer, even prior to the observation of visual or physical symptoms. The simple oral rinse procedure is said to be easy to administer and non-invasive for the patient.

Acteon North America introduces Expazen cord paste

Acteon North America has announced the debut of Expazen, the first-ever cord paste. Expazen reportedly has all the advantages of a cord for gingival retraction and hemostasis, without the drawbacks such as damage to the epithelial attachment, patient discomfort, or the time it takes to actually place a cord.

Valplast unveils 3D Printable Valplast Resin 

 announced the prototype of its 3D Printable Valplast

 Resin. This major advancement in additive manufacturing reortedly represents the very first Class IIA (European Union) and Class II (USA) Denture Base Resin that will yield a permanent restoration directly from 3D printing.

VITA unveiled the latest version of their Easyshade tooth shade measurer. Featuring a touchscreen that displays instant shade information, the tool is designed for both lab technicians and clinicians to be able to treat their customers' shade issues more easily than ever. 

10 Things at IDS 2015 That Blew Us Away

 President Tom Stratton to discuss the company’s offerings, emerging products and plans for the future.  

Give our readers a brief history of Implant Direct. 

The foundation of Implant Direct was started in 1982 when Core-Vent Bio-Engineering was formed. Core-Vent later became Paragon Dental Implant Company. In 2004, Implant Direct LLC was formed and, in 2010, Danaher, the parent company of the 

, acquired 75 percent interest in the company. We are built from a history of innovation, which includes the creation of the internal hex connection that is the cornerstone of the 

. It was the first internal connection with a lead-in (or conical) bevel and was widely licensed to other implant manufacturers, including 

Dental implant emerging research: Antidepressant drug linked to dental implant failure

What was the focus of Implant Direct when it was introduced into the dental community? 

 Implant Direct created the value segment in implant dentistry by introducing USA-made compatible products with enhanced features in a groundbreaking All-in-1 Packaging vial at a quality and price that truly rivaled the premium-priced implant companies. To accomplish this, and continue to revolutionize the implant industry, Implant Direct invests in sophisticated manufacturing technology to produce products of exceptional quality while achieving cost efficiencies we can pass directly on to the dental practice. This is not something that any other major implant companies are able to offer at this time. Instead, some are looking to cut costs by outsourcing their manufacturing to low-cost regions.

Related reading: Q&A: Dr. Joseph Gian-Grasso on trends and advances in dental implants

How is Implant Direct dealing with the growth of general practitioners placing more implants?

The general practitioner has been critical to the future of implant dentistry for decades; especially in non-referral countries that have limited surgical specialist bases. It’s important to allow general dentists to effectively deliver the type of procedures that they are trained to provide. At Implant Direct, we believe strongly in our obligation to serve the dental community. In our leadership role with the innovation of new products, education and customer support platforms, our focus is to give dentists-no matter their specialty-a reason to rank the surgical placement of dental implants as the No. 1 growth procedure in their practice. 

We do this through our portfolio of Simply Smarter products and significant investments in education through our ID University, which includes the Las Vegas training center, as well as satellite locations throughout the world. Our recent introduction of the ID Education Passport, which offers two years of unlimited dental implant education, truly trains dentists to deliver safe and predictable implant dentistry to their patients. This mission has made implant dentistry accessible to more patients, not just by helping to make treatment more affordable, but by also helping the general practitioner to develop his/her implantology skills. The range of expertise may vary, but it certainly begins with the ability to diagnose, treatment plan and educate the patient in the chair. 

More on dental implants: How technology can simplify the placement of dental implants

How has Implant Direct’s success changed the landscape of implant dentistry?

 It’s incredible to see the changes that have taken place since the introduction of Implant Direct. Premium-priced implant companies first reacted by spreading false and misleading rumors about the quality of our products, then these same companies were forced to negotiate discount prices in an attempt to recapture lost customers, have started to buy/invest in discount implant companies and now even tried to clone our All-in-1 Packaging. While competitors may attempt one-off imitations, they struggle to replicate the complete simplified experience that Implant Direct has created. We have executed our strategy, one that is now being cloned by many of the premium-priced implant companies, by holding to our foundation of delivering true value to our customers–and their patients. Time will tell if others will be successful in executing their strategies. 

Editor's Note: Learn more about Implant Direct in our exclusive interview with Stratton below...

 Tell us about your Swish line of dental implants and why you are focused on Straumann.

, we are bringing a compatible solution with our unique brand of simplicity to a market segment that has been asked to believe in a convoluted product portfolio and corporate message. Some of the product enhancements in the Swish System are surgical simplicity and greater precision in prosthetic placement at the bone level. Unlike Straumann, we have remained consistent with our corporate message. For years, Straumann touted the importance of product research through the 

, yet now is investing in discount dental companies like Neodent and MegaGen without that same clinical evidence criterion. 

Even while making such investments, Straumann has continued to publicly criticize lower-priced implants and some doctors that buy them, as stated by Straumann CEO Marco Gadola in a press release on March 31, 2014, that, “some dentists are willing to pay for lower standards than those offered by premium brands.” This message coincided with a letter from Gino DeSimone, senior vice president, dental division, Straumann North America, to its customer base that, “Neodent is not Straumann.” In addition to pursuing this two-tiered price strategy, 

Straumann is also attempting to capitalize on the growing general practitioner-placing-implants market, albeit without training, selling or supporting them directly. This can be seen in its recently announced bundled implant packaging (a clone of our original All-in-1 Packaging concept) to be sold through a distribution partner. Implant Direct’s position is that dentists don’t want education or sales activities in the closet, but, rather, they wish to partner directly with implant manufacturers. This is a stark contrast to Implant Direct’s DIRECT to ALL dentists model.

Related reading: New SwishActive joins Swish Implant System

 How do you believe the surgical specialist, in particular, and the overall dental community perceives Implant Direct?

Many doctors in the surgical specialist community have embraced our products. They appreciate our honesty, history of innovation, current product designs, breadth of product offerings, support and the overall value we deliver. They recognize our fundamental belief in the referral model when a general practitioner is ready to refer a patient to them. In the case of implant dentistry, this is still often. The overall dental community has shown us they believe we offer superior products, service, support and education by making us the fastest-growing major dental implant manufacturer. We have also seen this through third-party surveys of dentists that rate us at the top of the categories that mean the most to dentists. They choose us because we deliver on our promise to provide the best products at the best value. We created this segment, and no matter what the premium-priced companies clone from us, it will not deliver like the original…Implant Direct. 

More on Implant Direct: Implant Direct announces expansion

What does the future hold for Implant Direct?

We will continue to push the envelope on our technological research to enhance our manufacturing processes to deliver the highest-quality products for the greatest value. We are actively gathering clinical input about the surgical and restorative challenges implant clinicians face and then designing creative solutions to overcome each of these challenges. Our robust customer support platform will continue to evolve and include expanded support through mobile applications and the global expansion of our ID Education Passport program. 

 Dental Products Report sat down with Implant Direct President Tom Stratton to discuss the company’s offerings, emerging products and plans for the future.  

How the general practitioner has been critical to the future of implant dentistry

	Thanks to the generosity of The Patterson Foundation and 

, Minnesotans will be smiling a lot more in 2015.

The Patterson Foundation recently awarded a grant of $53,795 to 

, a charitable organization that provides essential dental services to low-income individuals and families through mobile dental clinics in Minnesota. Operation Grace MN will use the funding to support the work of the dental professional volunteers who staff the clinics and provide care to those in need.

RELATED NEWS: Patterson acquires Holt Dental

Patterson Dental donated a service van and dental equipment, coordinated through Patterson Dental Minnesota Branch Manager Dan Konicek, who sits on the Operation Grace MN board of directors. The van enables Operation Grace MN to transport dental equipment to schools, homeless shelters, and other locations where the need is great.

This support from Operation Grace MN’s biggest sponsors comes at a crucial time, as two organizations that had been providing care to underserved communities in Minnesota recently ceased operations. Operation Grace MN hopes to bridge the gap by keeping its mobile dental clinic, called Lil’ Flossie, on the road.

“The Patterson Foundation and Patterson Dental have really stepped up to fill this void and keep the vision for this clinic alive and growing in Minnesota,” Operation Grace MN Executive Director John Braddock noted.

Webinar: Your guide to EHRs from selection to implementation

Gary Johnson, president of the Patterson Foundation, has seen firsthand what Operation Grace MN is accomplishing – and the potential for reaching many more people.

“There is a serious need for access to dental care in our communities,” Johnson said. “The Foundation believes in Operation Grace MN. Their efforts, along with the dental volunteers who are generously giving their time and talent, are very effectively addressing this need.”

Interesting read: 10 things you should using in Eaglesoft ... but you aren't

Operation Grace MN mobilizes volunteer dental professionals who provide oral hygiene, preventive education and basic treatment through about 16 clinics a month. Their goal is to serve more than 1,500 patients in 2015. Operation Grace MN, which serves primarily the Twin Cities metro area, recently expanded to Duluth, Minn., and is targeting other outstate communities as well.

“The gift of the service van from Patterson Dental was absolutely central to our strategy for educating and treating more people and expanding this outreach,” Braddock added. “A leader in the dental industry like Patterson Dental investing in Operation Grace MN makes a significant statement to the dental community and is encouraging to dentists and staff who volunteer, which is our most substantial need.”

 Thanks to the generosity of The Patterson Foundation and Patterson Dental, Minnesotans will be smiling a lot more in 2015.

Patterson Foundation, Patterson Dental help expand access to dental care in Minnesota

Looking for the latest dental fee information for your state or region? Look no further than this exclusive report from 

In late 2014, we provided you with a look at the 

20 often-used codes and the fees associated with them

 … from a nationwide perspective using data compiled from more than 12,000 dental practices. In this article, we are taking a look at the fees broken down by geographic region.

“Data and information is the first step towards knowledge and wisdom for running a more profitable practice,” said Vijay Sikka, founder and president of 

. “Knowing data is key to knowing and managing the score. If you can measure it, you can manage it.” 

Which states perform the most dental procedures? Find out here.

 region, you’ll find dental fees and associated codes for Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee. Click on the Southeast region link below.

 region, you’ll find dental fees and associated codes for Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Click on the Mid-Atlantic region link below.

 region, you’ll find dental fees and associated codes for Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont. Click on the Northeast region link below.

region, you’ll find dental fees and associated codes for Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin. Click on the North Central region link below.

Interested in the free Practice Monitor from Sikka Software?	Click here to learn more.

 region, you’ll find dental fees and associated codes for Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming. Click on the Midwest region tab below.

region, you’ll find dental fees and associated codes for Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. Click on the South Central rRegion tab below.

 region, you’ll find dental fees and associated codes for Arizona, California, Nevada and Utah. Click on the Southwest region tab below.

 region, you’ll find dental fees and associated codes for Idaho, Oregon and Washington. Click on the Northwest region tab below.

Editor's Note: If your state is not listed, not enough data was available from that state to accurately gauge the average fees.

RELATED: Is your practice declining? Here's why and how you can stop it.

“2015 is going to be a mixed bag of macro and micro economic fluctuations,” Sikka said. “As a big data company, we are noticing that there is a downward trend emerging in some of the key dental indicators. So, it becomes extremely important that fees are carefully evaluated and aligned for every dental practice with the profitability of that practice. Every dental practice is unique and how you practice is what determines your profitability even more than where you practice.” 

Want to know more about your fees?	Download Sikka Software's free fee analyzer

As a note about the figures, the data is broken into the 50

 percentile, meaning the 50th percentile is the fee below which 50 percent of the observations may be found, etc.

SOUTHEAST (FL, GA, AL, SC, MS, LA, AR, TN)

MID-ATLANTIC (NC, VA, MD, NJ, PA, WV, KY)

NORTH CENTRAL (OH, IN, MI, IL, WI, MN, MO)

	SOUTHEAST (FL, GA, AL, SC, MS, LA, AR, TN)

	MID-ATLANTIC (NC, VA, MD, NJ, PA, WV, KY)

	NORTH CENTRAL (OH, IN, MI, IL, WI, MN, MO)

Looking for the latest dental fee information for your state or region? Look no further than this exclusive report from Sikka Software and Dental Products Report.