Surge in Dental Clinic Bankruptcies: Impact of Declining Cavities? Difficulty Obtaining Dentures Due to Technician Shortage!? – TV Asahi NEWS

News Highlights

According to TV Asahi NEWS, the number of dental clinics going bankrupt is on the rise. The background to this trend includes a significant decrease in cavities, attributed to the widespread adoption of dental check-ups and fluoride treatments. Furthermore, a shortage of dental technicians is becoming severe, making it difficult to produce items like dentures, as reported. This situation is believed to be worsening the revenue structure of dental clinics, leading to an increase in cases of management difficulties.

Perspective from M&A Medical Editorial Department

The “dramatic decrease in cavities” in dental clinics, while a positive development reflecting advancements in preventive dentistry, poses a structural challenge to existing business models. In particular, the difficulty in producing “dentures” due to a shortage of technicians is not merely a matter of material or personnel scarcity; it could potentially shake one of the core revenue streams for dental clinics. For instance, there may be emerging reports of specific cases where multiple dental clinics in a region have been forced to scale back their treatment offerings due to “difficulty securing technicians.” In such circumstances, business succession through M&A can become not just a solution for succession issues but an essential option for business continuity. Notably, acquisitions by medical corporations or groups that have strong ties with dental laboratories or operate their own labs may have an advantage in overcoming these challenges.

Key Discussion Points from This News

• The significant reduction in cavities is directly impacting the primary revenue sources of dental clinics, altering their management structures.
• A shortage of dental technicians is limiting the clinical capabilities of dental clinics, manifesting as difficulty in denture production.
• The dual challenges of advancements in preventive dentistry and a shortage of technicians are leading to an increase in dental clinic bankruptcies.
• Strengthening collaboration with dental laboratories and M&A may be key to business continuity.

Practical Questions Arising from This News

• Why are dental clinics going bankrupt when cavities are decreasing?
• Is it true that dentures cannot be made?
• Will the shortage of dental technicians continue in the future?

If You Feel “Should I Consult Too?”

If your clinic’s revenue has noticeably declined compared to a few years ago, or if you are finding it difficult to order prosthetic devices like dentures, it may be a sign that the industry-wide changes due to the decrease in cavities and the shortage of technicians are having an impact. Considering the possibility that future management may be at risk if this continues, it might be the right time to consult with specialists early on to explore options for business succession, including M&A.

M&A Medical (CentralMedience Inc.), as an M&A support institution certified by the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency, supports the business succession of medical corporations, hospitals, and clinics on a full success fee basis. Consultations are handled with strict confidentiality. Free consultation here