The AAO shares data collected and analyzed by AAO endorsed partner, Gaidge Analytics, providing visibility into key practice performance metrics. 

The purpose of this collaboration is to aid AAO members with practice health assessment, short-term and long-term goal-setting and other key business processes. The shared metrics are from a subset of Gaidge client practices. This subset includes:

● More than 300 single-doctor practices under $1 million in quarterly productivity; and
● More than 200 multiple-doctor practices with up to 10 locations.

2025 Q2 Metrics Show Production, Net Collection, New Patient Calls Up
In the second quarter of 2025, practice financial performance showed strength in net production, collections and interest from prospective patients:

  • Compared with the second quarter of 2024, production grew by 3.2% in single-doctor practices and 6.7% in multiple-doctor practices.
  • Net collection increased by 3.0% and 4.3% in single-doctor and multiple-doctor practices, respectively, compared with 2024 Q2.
  • New patient calls increased by 3.5% in single-doctor practices and by 6.6% in multiple- doctor practices, compared with 2024 Q2.

Total patient exams and starts grew more slowly than new patient calls in comparison with 2024 Q2, with exams increasing by .2% in single-doctor practices and 4.3% in multiple-doctor practices. Starts grew by 2.4% in single-doctor practices and 3.3% in multiple doctor-practices.

The exam and start percentages indicate opportunities for growth, correlating with flat conversion of exams to treatment starts. In comparison with 2024 Q2, the conversion rate increased by .7% in single-doctor practices and decreased by -.4% in multiple-doctor practices.

Increasing Interest in Braces in Comparison with Aligners
Interestingly, 2025 Q2 clear aligner treatment starts declined overall with a -6.8% decrease in single-doctor practices and a 1.0% increase in multiple-doctor practices, versus 2024 Q2. “All other starts” (primarily treatment with braces) increased by 6.3% in single-doctor practices and by 4.0% in multiple-doctor practices.

These metrics may represent emerging data supporting a trend observed anecdotally by some orthodontists, of increasing popularity of braces among patients. Learn more in the American Dental Association News article, “’Never Been Cooler’: Metal Braces Making Comeback with Help from Social Media.”

View Additional Q2 2025 Metrics from Gaidge