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UK dental boom
6th Oct 2005
The UK dental market for consumables and equipment is booming this year, this quarter and this month. When you work on an award-winning, industry leading dental title like Dentistry, you also work closely with the companies that provide products and services to the profession. I feel the heartbeat of the industry and right now, it is beating strong and fast. The industry, often split into consumables and equipment, is going through a bullish time with sales up in materials and consumables and also in equipment. With the new contract (April 2006) looming and PDS contracts recently signed, we are on the cusp of a period of great change for high street dentistry. But sales are up, suggesting confidence is high and expectations positive. Why is this? It is because of a number of factors: 1. The number of practising dentists is increasing. It is over 23,000 in 2005 and the Government’s initiative to bring in 1,000 more dentists is having a positive affect 2. The number of practices in the UK is growing: it was 9,366 in 2002. This year it is over 10,500 3. The demand for dentistry is increasing, as is the nature of the demand. Treatments like cosmetics, aesthetics and tooth whitening are increasing – driving patients into practices 4. The total spend on equipment grew last year by 4% to almost £83 million in the UK. This year it is expected to be much higher 5. The total spend on consumables and materials grew last year by almost £20 million in the UK. This year the growth is expected to be higher. General manager of Takara Belmont Stephen Price said about equipment sales: ‘It has been a very good year for us and the market is buoyant. One reason might be because in the north, dentists have had grant monies available, and a lot of business growth has been from the north.’ But final proof of this buoyant time comes from the statistics for annual spend per dentist. Last year it increased by almost 7% and is growing again this year, although figures are not available yet. It’s not just the UK that is booming. The German market is reporting substantial growth rates. The Association of German Dental Manufacturers recently announced a huge increase in domestic and export total turnover by the German dental industry. The market is booming, which means your colleagues are preparing now for the future. Now is the time to be bold and decisive. Spend at this year’s Dental Showcase. Data is taken from 1. Spotlight: UK dental and laboratory market statistics: published in 2005 2. Strategic Dental Marketing (USA and UK) 3. 2004/5 Survey on the European Dental Trade (Market Trends). Julian English Executive Editor
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