Planet DDS released its 2026 Dental Industry Deep Dive report on May 12, revealing that the performance gap between high-growth and declining dental practices has widened significantly. One-third of practices grew by more than 10% last year, while nearly 14% declined by over 10%. As of May 2026, the data underscores that operational strategy — not market conditions alone — is separating winners from those falling behind.
The dental industry entered 2026 with cautious optimism, and the latest data from Planet DDS confirms what many practice owners suspected: the middle ground is disappearing. Practices that invested in technology, patient experience, and team development are pulling ahead, while those relying on legacy systems and reactive management are losing ground at an accelerating rate.
What the 2026 Deep Dive Report Actually Shows
The Planet DDS 2026 Dental Industry Outlook, presented at the inaugural Dental Capital Forum in New York City, analyzed performance data from thousands of dental practices across North America. The headline finding is stark: the distribution of practice performance has shifted from a bell curve to a barbell shape, with practices clustering at either end of the growth spectrum.
Among the key findings, practices in the top growth tier shared several common characteristics. They had higher rates of digital workflow adoption, stronger patient retention metrics, and more structured approaches to team compensation. On the other end, declining practices were more likely to report difficulty filling hygienist and associate positions, delayed technology investments, and higher patient attrition rates.
Pro Tip: If your practice hasn't benchmarked its year-over-year production and collection numbers against industry medians in the last 90 days, you're flying blind. Pull your reports this week — knowing where you stand is step one.
Why the Gap Is Widening — Not Closing
Several converging forces are driving the divergence. First, the dental workforce shortage — particularly among hygienists — continues to disproportionately affect practices that cannot offer competitive compensation or flexible scheduling. Practices that addressed staffing proactively in 2024 and 2025 are now reaping the benefits of stability, while those that delayed are paying premium rates for temporary staff or reducing their hygiene schedules entirely.
Second, patient expectations have shifted permanently. The practices seeing the strongest growth have invested in online booking, digital communication, same-day treatment capabilities, and transparent pricing. Patients in the Greater Toronto Area and across Ontario now expect the same convenience from their dentist that they get from every other service provider.
Third, the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) has introduced a new variable. Practices that integrated CDCP billing workflows early are capturing a patient segment that was previously underserved. Those still hesitant about participation are watching potential patients walk to competitors down the street.
What This Means for Canadian Dental Practices
While the Planet DDS report draws primarily from North American data, the trends mirror what the Ontario Dental Association (ODA) and Canadian Dental Association (CDA) have been signalling. The 2026 ODA Suggested Fee Guide adjustments, combined with rising operational costs — dental equipment and consumable prices have climbed roughly 6% year-over-year according to ADA Health Policy Institute data — mean that standing still effectively means falling behind.
For practice owners in Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Markham, and across the GTA, the report carries a clear message: the practices that will thrive through the rest of 2026 and beyond are those making deliberate, data-informed decisions about where to invest their time and capital.
Pro Tip: Schedule a half-day quarterly strategy session with your practice manager and lead clinicians. Review three numbers: new patient acquisition rate, case acceptance percentage, and hygiene reappointment rate. If any of those are trending down over two consecutive quarters, you have a specific problem to solve — not a vague feeling that things are slow.
The Technology Factor
The report highlights that practices adopting AI-assisted diagnostics, cloud-based practice management software, and digital imaging workflows are outperforming peers by measurable margins. This doesn't mean every practice needs to buy the latest equipment tomorrow. It means that practices with a technology adoption roadmap — even a modest one — are making better clinical and business decisions than those without any plan at all.
In Canada, the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO) continues to update its standards around digital recordkeeping and patient communication, making technology adoption not just a competitive advantage but increasingly a regulatory expectation.
What High-Performing Practices Are Doing Differently
Based on the report's findings and broader industry analysis, the practices in the top growth tier share a common playbook. They treat their team as their most important asset, investing in continuing education and creating clear career pathways. They use data — not intuition — to guide scheduling, pricing, and marketing decisions. They maintain active patient communication between visits through automated recall systems and educational content. And they approach change management as an ongoing process, not a one-time event.
None of these strategies require massive capital investment. They require attention, consistency, and a willingness to measure what matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What percentage of dental practices grew by more than 10% in 2025 according to the Planet DDS report?
According to the Planet DDS 2026 Dental Industry Deep Dive report released in May 2026, approximately one-third of dental practices grew by more than 10% year-over-year. At the same time, nearly 14% of practices experienced declines exceeding 10%, highlighting a widening performance gap across the industry.
Q: How are top-performing dental practices in Canada different from those that are declining?
High-growth Canadian dental practices share several characteristics: higher digital workflow adoption, stronger patient retention systems, proactive staffing strategies, and structured approaches to team compensation. Declining practices typically report difficulty hiring, delayed technology investments, and higher patient attrition rates.
Q: Should Ontario dental practices participate in the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) to grow?
Practices that integrated CDCP billing workflows early have captured a previously underserved patient segment. With nearly six million Canadians enrolled as of March 2026, CDCP participation represents a meaningful growth lever for practices in the GTA and across Ontario, particularly for those looking to increase patient volume.
EBIKO Dental will continue monitoring industry performance data and reporting on trends that affect Canadian dental practices. For the latest dental industry insights, visit ebiko.ca.