Trump’s Trade War Will Make Your Dentist Visits Even Costlier
- 40 percent of dental restorations like crowns come from abroad
- Private equity-backed dental groups could see profits decline
Cohn Says Trump Wants Trade Deficit With China Narrowed
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To get a feel for what’s at stake in the U.S. trade debate, run your tongue over your molars.
Implants, crowns and bridges made in places like China and Mexico compose as much as 40 percent of the $8.5 billion U.S. market for dental restorations. They sell for a fraction of U.S. prices and boost profits for group practices and the private-equity backed networks that now employ about 18 percent of American dentists. The voracious market for discount choppers, along with industry consolidation and technology advancements, has contributed during the past decade to the closing of about half of U.S. dental labs.