How Will Tariffs Affect Dentistry in 2025?

President Donald Trump has reinstated a 25% tariff on global steel imports and increased aluminum import tariffs to 25%, effective March 12, 2025. This sweeping policy change promises to send shockwaves through multiple sectors. Tariffs affect dentistry in major ways, driving up equipment costs, impacting clinics, and making dental care more expensive for patients.

Where is steel or aluminium used in dental clinics?

• Mirrors: Constructed from stainless steel
• Scalers: Primarily manufactured using stainless steel
• Probes: Crafted from stainless steel
• Impression Trays: Made from aluminum or stainless steel
• Instrument Trays: Composed of stainless steel or aluminum
• Dental Handpiece Bodies (Drills): Utilizing stainless steel and aluminum components
• Burs (Drill Bits): Stainless steel shanks with tungsten carbide cutting heads
• Matrix Bands/Retainers: Manufactured from stainless steel
• Dental Chair Frame/Base: Constructed using steel or aluminum
• Delivery Unit Arms/Components: Integrated steel and aluminum structures

10 Ways Tariffs Affect Dentistry

1. Increased Equipment Costs

• The metal used to make our dental tools (like mirrors, scalers, chairs, drills) is getting more expensive because of new taxes on imported metals (tariffs).

• Why? Tariffs affect dentistry by making steel and aluminum from other countries more expensive. Even US-made metal might get pricier too, which increases the cost for companies that manufacture dental equipment.

• So What? for Clinic Employees:

  • The clinic will have to spend more money buying new chairs, drills, or even smaller instruments.
  • This can tighten the clinic’s budget overall.

2. Patient Cost Implications

• Because things cost the clinic more, patients might have to pay more for their dental visits or get less covered by their insurance.

• Why? Tariffs affect dentistry by forcing clinics to raise prices to cover higher equipment costs. Also, insurance companies might not increase their payouts, leaving patients to cover more out-of-pocket.

• So What? for Clinic Employees:

  • Patients paying more out-of-pocket: Patients might be unhappy about higher bills and could be more hesitant to get procedures done.
  • Fewer patients coming in: Some people, especially those with less money, might delay or skip dental cleanings and treatments because of the cost.
  • Less cosmetic work: People might cut back on things like teeth whitening or veneers if they become more expensive, affecting the types of procedures the clinic does.

3. Practice Establishment Challenges

• It’s becoming harder and more expensive for new dentists to open their own clinics.

• Why? Tariffs affect dentistry by increasing the cost of setting up a new clinic. With higher equipment prices, new dentists need more money upfront. Banks are also being more cautious about lending due to increased financial risks.

• So What? for Clinic Employees:

  • Fewer new clinics opening: This could mean fewer job opportunities overall in the long run.
  • Existing clinics might be more stable jobs for now.

4. Cost Management Strategies

• Clinics are looking for ways to save money wherever they can because equipment is getting pricier.

• Why? Tariffs affect dentistry by forcing clinics to find savings in other areas to stay profitable. The example of using labs in Costa Rica shows one way to cut costs.

• So What? for Clinic Employees:

  • Changes in suppliers or labs: The clinic might switch to cheaper suppliers or send lab work overseas.
  • Focus on saving: The clinic might be stricter about supplies, energy use, or other expenses.

5. Medicaid Patient Access Considerations

• It might become even harder for patients with Medicaid (government insurance for low-income people) to get dental care.

• Why? Tariffs affect dentistry by increasing costs for clinics, making it financially difficult to treat Medicaid patients due to low reimbursements.

• So What? for Clinic Employees:

  • Potentially fewer Medicaid patients seen.
  • Ethical considerations: Clinic staff might see patients struggling to access care.

6. Staffing and Employment Dynamics

• Clinics might be more careful about hiring new staff or giving out as many hours if their costs are going up.

• Why? Since tariffs affect dentistry by increasing equipment expenses, clinics may try to manage payroll costs more tightly.

• So What? for Clinic Employees:

  • Slower hiring and fewer hours.
  • Job security concerns (subtle).

7. Equipment Lifecycle Management

• Clinics will try to make their current equipment last longer instead of buying new, expensive replacements.

• Why? Tariffs affect dentistry by making new equipment more expensive, encouraging clinics to maintain and repair old equipment instead.

• So What? for Clinic Employees:

  • Working with older equipment.
  • More repairs and focus on maintenance.

8. Supplier and Brand Adaptation

• Clinics might switch to buying cheaper brands of supplies and equipment to save money.

• Why? Tariffs affect dentistry by driving up prices, so clinics will look for more affordable options.

• So What? for Clinic Employees:

  • Using different brands.
  • Potential perceived quality differences.

9. Practice Development Implications

• Clinics might put off plans to upgrade, expand, or renovate their offices because of the higher costs.

• Why? Tariffs affect dentistry by making large investments riskier.

• So What? for Clinic Employees:

  • Delayed upgrades and expansions.
  • The clinic might stay “as is” for longer.

10. Insurance and Reimbursement Pressures

• Clinics might have a harder time getting insurance companies to pay them more, even though their costs are going up.

• Why? Tariffs affect dentistry by increasing expenses while insurance companies resist raising reimbursement rates.

• So What? for Clinic Employees:

  • Financial pressure on the clinic.
  • Focus on billing and collections.