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Net32 Survey Reveals How Dentists Are Coping Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

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Online supply marketplace’s dental practice customers need protective supplies and funding assistance to resume operations
Posted: May 11, 2020
Edited by Dentaltown staff

CARY, N.C.—Net32, an online dental supply marketplace, recently released a survey that reveals how dentists are managing their practices amid the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 1,000 dental practices across the U.S. participated, sharing insights on their changing business practices, worries and needs. Ninety percent of respondents were owner dentists. The results provide an inside look at the current state of the dental industry, which is facing unprecedented challenges. 

“I wanted to hear how fellow dentists are navigating the unique business challenges we’re facing with the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Pat Cassidy, DMD, MPH, CEO of Net32. “These findings reveal important industry insights, which I hope will help dentists more confidently navigate their path forward.”

The survey found the majority of practices are open by appointment only (68%), while 20% are fully closed, leaving 12% of practices open for emergency care only. Of the practices that are fully closed, the reasons for closing are below. 
? State mandate - 83%
? COVID-19 risk to the dental team - 70%
? American Dental Association (ADA) recommendation - 67%
? Lack of adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) - 46%
? Federal recommendation - 32%
? Not viable financially - 24%

Ninety percent of dental practices said they are concerned about procuring PPE and other supplies in order to get their practices up and running safely:
? 75% N95 face masks
? 50% surgical face masks
? 50% hand sanitizer
? 40% disposable gloves
? 40% liquid sterilant
? 20% barrier film
? 20% protective eyewear
? 17% chair covers
? 10% no concern, we are fully stocked for restart
? Common free form responses include: Face shields, gowns, air purifiers, UV treatment, and COVID-19 test kits

Additional key findings include: 
? Many dental practices (70%) have implemented layoffs, while 30% have retained all their staff. Only 11% of dental practices retained all their staff at full pay.

? Dentists are planning to rely heavily on government assistance programs to help them get through the shutdown, while nearly half (46%) are dipping into their personal savings to save their practices.
? 70% plan to seek government assistance 
? 46% plan to use personal savings
? 25% plan to use business savings 
? 15% plan to seek traditional bank loans
? 3% plan to use 401K (or similar retirement savings)

? Of those practices that are seeking government assistance, almost all are applying to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), while many others are hoping to receive Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL).
? 91% are seeking support from the PPP
? 69% are exploring EIDLs
? 26% are hoping for payroll tax relief 
? 16% are looking into SBA Loan Subsidies

The survey was conducted by Net32 via Google Forms and completed on April 25, among 1,094 dental practitioners across the United States. For more information and to download the full survey results, visit Net32’s Coronavirus Resource Center at net32.com/pub/covid-19.
 
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