As a dentist in private practice, enhancing your skill set can have a significant impact on your earning potential. The median annual net income for general practitioners in 2023 was $185,360. Meanwhile, specialists (orthodontists, endodontists, periodontists, oral surgeons, etc.) earned $291,500.This is a substantial difference that reflects the value of specialized services.
If you are a general practitioner looking for ways to increase your production/profitability, there’s a clear pathway to take. Becoming IV sedation certified and adding that service offering to your repertoire can help you close the income gap. Here’s how:
Many patients delay or avoid necessary dental procedures due to anxiety. By offering IV sedation, you can attract these patients and complete more complex procedures, expanding your patient base. Patients who might otherwise be too nervous to undergo treatment will feel more comfortable knowing sedation is available, leading to higher case acceptance and greater trust in your practice.
On average, general practitioners bill $502 per practice hour while specialists bill $563 for each hour. However, IV sedation allows you to manage more invasive treatments in a single visit, increasing both the efficiency and profitability of your practice. This brings your practice closer to specialist-level earnings. With IV sedation, you can work less and earn more, maximizing your schedule for production and efficiency.
In 2023, the median gross billings per dentist were $797,280 for general practitioners and $998,540 for specialists. Incorporating IV sedation can help increase your gross billings by enabling you to see more patients and perform higher-value procedures per visit. More importantly, higher-value procedures mean greater profit margins, ensuring you’re increasing your patient production value with every appointment scheduled.
It’s never too late to become a ‘specialist’ in IV sedation. This skill allows you to set your practice apart and command higher fees without the need for formal specialization.
By investing in IV sedation training, you not only enhance the care and comfort of your patients but also significantly boost your practice’s efficiency, profitability, and overall value. Whether you’re looking to increase your hourly billings, attract more patients, or expand your service offerings, IV sedation is a proven way to elevate your dental practice and move closer to specialist-level income.
Our program goes beyond certification – it’s a pathway to a more focused, profitable, and fulfilling dental life.
Vesper Institute
Nationally Approved PACE Program Provider for FAGD/MAGD credit.
Approval does not imply acceptance by any regulatory authority or AGD endorsement.
1/1/2025 to 12/31/2028. Provider ID# 402159
Vesper Institute is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider.
ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry
Concerns or complaints about a CE provider may be directed to the provider or to the Commission for Continuing Education Provider Recognition at CCEPR.ADA.org
Vesper Institute is a Dental Board of California CE Provider. The California Provider # is RP6158. All of the information contained on this certificate is truthful and accurate.
Completion of this course does not constitute authorization for the attendee to perform any services that he or she is not legally authorized to perform based on his or her license or permit type.
