Ladd Dental Group

 At a glance, that data might look “healthy” (inflation only 2%, wages up, etc.). But for dentistry , it actually signals something much more important—and more concerning: 1. This is classic margin compression Supplies/equipment: +6% Wages: +2% Overall inflation: +2% Your largest controllable cost category (supplies) is rising 3x faster than inflation , while labor is only keeping pace. That creates a simple equation: Costs ↑ faster than the broader economy → margins ↓ And dentistry is especially vulnerable because: Fees are often locked by insurance reimbursement Price increases to patients are slow and politically sensitive So unlike many industries, you can’t easily pass that 6% through. 2. It confirms dentistry is in a “cost squeeze” phase The ADA is already calling this a “financial squeeze” environment. What that means structurally: Overhead rising faster than revenue Profitability getting tighter even if production is stable Practi...

B usiness taxes in Indiana have not increased over the past 5 years—on paper, they’ve actually decreased or stayed very stable. But the effective tax burden on dental practices has still gone up due to a combination of local taxes, wage inflation, and structural changes in how practices are taxed. 1) What’s actually happened to Indiana business tax rates (last ~5 years) Corporate income tax 2020: ~5.25% 2021–present: 4.9% 👉 That’s roughly a 0.35% decrease (~7% relative reduction) over 5 years. Pass-through business taxation (most dental practices) Most dental practices (LLCs, S-corps) don’t pay corporate tax. They flow through to: State income tax: ~3.23% (2020) → ~3.05% (2024) → trending to 3.0% Local (county) income tax: ~1–3% depending on county 👉 Slight decline at the state level , but: Local taxes have crept up in many counties Combined effective rate often still ~4–6%+ Sales tax (relevant to dental ops) Flat 7% (unchanged) Big pi...

 At LADD Dental Group , we believe that dentistry is stronger when knowledge is shared, voices are amplified, and leaders work together to move the profession forward. That’s why we are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the Becker’s Healthcare platform. Becker’s Healthcare plays a vital role in our dental profession. Their commitment to thoughtful journalism, data-driven insights, and meaningful conversations helps elevate dentistry at every level—from solo practitioners to large, multi-location groups. By shining a light on emerging trends, operational challenges, clinical innovation, and leadership strategies, Becker’s helps dental professionals stay informed, connected, and prepared for what’s next. We deeply appreciate the way Becker’s Healthcare advocates for transparency and progress in healthcare. Their platform creates space for real-world experiences, lessons learned, and best practices to be shared openly. In a rapidly evolving dental landsca...