Interesting factoids

[RetainerDesigner]

While doing some reasearch for the website I came across some interesting facts.
Currently there are a little less than 300 orthodontic labs in the nation.
There are over 9000 orthodontist in the US and Canada.

There are currently 4.5 million people in orthodontic treatment.

So taking these averages you get this:
500 patients per orthodontist
30 doctors per lab

I know it is not this evenly spread out, but interesting the same.

Discuss.

[TheLabGuy]

According to your math, that would mean that every ortho lab sees 15,000 cases every year? Since I'm not in ortho, does this number seem reasonable?

[RetainerDesigner]

I guess that would mean that each one of the doctors patients would need an appliance that year.
Or everyone of the 500 patients will be getting out of braces that year. That is a lot of happy people!

[TheLabGuy]

Okay, humor me, say on average every ortho patient is in braces for 3 years, that equates to about 5,000 (15,000/3) cases per year for every ortho lab. That number seems a little more reasonable to me, what about you?

[trisha]

That is a large case load, I doubt a one man show could keep up. But maybe 2 or 3 people in 1 lab would probably do quite well.
Interesting research.
trisha

[trisha]

5000 is a large case load for a one man show. I think that 2-3 people could probably handle this large load.
Interesting data.
trisha

[trisha]

Woops!!!!!!!

[labdude]

In braces for 3 years would be considered to be orthodontic constipation. From information of the drs I work for, 18 to 24 months is it. Occasionally one goes over, but, is usually a patient with health issues like cleft palate etc.
I have 34 drs I work for at the moment, 19 are regular ever day send something accounts.
I do an avereage of 300 cases per month, 3600 per year. It is more than I plan to do in 9 years from now.
I just work like no one else, so that later, I can live like no one else.
If it doesn't kill me first.
Anyone who doesn't keep up is a light weight.
My #1 reason for fiddling around here is to share ways to be able to produce an average of 30 ortho cases per day per person working.
You guys that are spending time counting, there is time for counting when your retired, till then, work and watch production.
Mike.

[labdude]

You see what happens when you fiddle around TRISHA!!!!

[trisha]

show off!

[TheLabGuy]

yeah, show off.......lol

[RetainerDesigner]

Originally Posted by labdude

My #1 reason for fiddling around here is to share ways to be able to produce an average of 30 ortho cases per day per person working.

^^Thats my goal!

[TheLabGuy]

Back to the math.......30 cases per day times 20 business days in a calender month time 12 months equates to 7,200 cases a year. I guess 5,000 a year isn't so off the mark after all. Now come on, give me some more beans, this is getting kinda fun......lol

[labdude]

More beans.....HAHAHAHAHA.

For my numbers, I just used the # of appliances I make, times 12.
However, some of the appliances I make add up to more appliance units. (in my small mind)
A retainer is a 1 unit(1 appliance). A Bionator is 3 units.( I can make 3 retainers to 1 Bionator) And it goes on from there.
So....your right on Rob I do about 7k plus units per year.
Difference is, I figure a working month at 21 days, not 20. You need to work your people 1 more day.
Have a great day!!
Mike.