What's in the report?

  • Dental practices enter the race for patients, people & productivity

    The Dental Insights Report is based on the insights of almost 500 dental practices around Australia. It explores practices’ financial and operational performance and outlook, and the strategies intended to navigate what lies ahead.

  • Insights from your peers

    Insights directly from practices can help identify top strategies and benchmark your approach. We investigate:

    • Practice performance indicators 
    • Tactics to lift patient demand
    • Drivers of technology investment
    • Addressing skills shortages 
    • Focus on green dentistry 

CommBank Health & Australian Dental Association

For the first time, and as part of our broader partnership, we developed the report alongside leading industry body the Australian Dental Association (ADA). The ADA’s input shaped the report’s topical focus and helped reach member dentists, and we thank all participants for their valuable insights.

“CommBank and the ADA share a common goal – to help as many practices as possible navigate an ever-changing dental market and position their business for the future– Albert Naffah, CEO, CommBank Health.

Key finding: response to tightening practice economics

  • 86 %

    expect higher operating costs.

    Download trend at a glance

  • #1

    priority is adapting systems and processes to drive efficiency.

  • 64 %

    are planning at least one initiative to attract and retain patients.

Key finding: why some practices may pull ahead

Almost one in two practices are targeting growth in the year ahead, with a heightened focus on driving patient demand and enhancing the patient and employee experience.

This indicates they're poised to compete strongly for patients and talent.

Download trend at a glance

Regional Dental Practices in Focus

Comparing the responses between practices in regional and metropolitan locations reveals different impacts and strategies for each.

Read flyer (PDF)

Prioritising patients' care and experience

With most dental practices increasing technology investment, we find out why and where budgets are being directed. 

Read the report (PDF)

Practice viewpoints

Smile Partners

Smile Partners has a strong growth focus, and amid a changing operating and competitive landscape, the team is finding new ways to achieve it.

Geelong Family Dental Care

Geelong Family Dental Care is capitalising on positive practice growth momentum with a focus on efficiency gains and outstanding customer service.

Advanced Dental Spa

How Advanced Dental Spa is building its appointment book, delivering a personal experience, and building loyalty among patients, staff, and suppliers.

Things you should know

  • The report has been published for general information purposes only. As this information has been prepared without considering your objectives, financial situation or needs, you should, before acting on this information, consider its appropriateness to your circumstances, if necessary, seek professional advice. The Bank believes that the information in the report is correct and any opinions, conclusions or recommendations are reasonably held or made, based on the information available at the time of its compilation, but no representation or warranty, either expressed or implied, is made or provided as to accuracy, reliability or completeness of any statement made in the report. Any projections and forecasts are based on a number of assumptions and estimates and are subject to contingencies and uncertainties. Different assumptions and estimates could result in materially different results.

    The report refers to data sourced from an online survey of 473 dental practices. The survey was undertaken by ACA Research on behalf of the Commonwealth Bank. All analysis and views of future market conditions are solely those of the Commonwealth Bank.

    All material presented, unless specifically indicated otherwise, is under copyright to the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. This information may not be altered in any way, transmitted to, copied or distributed to any other party, without the prior written permission of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

    © 2022 Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124 AFSL and Australian credit licence 234945