Stay a Step Ahead of Tariff Troubles

From lockdowns to staffing shortages, the past decade has seen dentistry face a series of unprecedented, interconnected challenges. Creating another layer of complexity is the introduction of new economic policies that may affect the price of products used in the profession.

Per an executive order issued by the Trump administration in April, a sweeping 10% baseline tariff was placed on imports from most U.S. trading partners. While additional tariffs on some imports have since been delayed or negotiated—for example, what was briefly a 145% import tax on Chinese goods dropped to 30% in May—the looming possibility of rising costs and supply chain disruptions have left many Americans worrying about what comes next.

How Policy Impacts Practice

While the administration asserts that its tariffs will ultimately boost prosperity nationwide, the immediate impact is unclear. In March, the ADA joined the Dental Trade Alliance and the National Association of Dental Laboratories in writing a letter warning the Trump administration of the effect the tariffs may have on public health and encouraging exemption of dental products from taxation. “These increased costs will negatively impact oral health in the U.S.,” the letter stated. “Higher dental costs result in fewer patients seeking care. Thus, patients, already confronted with ever-increasing health costs for non-tariff reasons, will ultimately experience greater out-of-pocket costs because these additional duties are now being assessed on dental medical devices and other imported dental materials, tools, and equipment, [the costs of which] then get absorbed into the patient’s bill.”

As explained in a second advocacy letter signed by the ADA and 9 other healthcare organizations in April, the tariffs could likewise limit an already strained system’s capacity to deliver care. The group cited “further financial pressure on providers, hospitals, and health systems, particularly those located in rural and medically underserved areas.” Raising the price of critical supplies and equipment, the group warned, would ultimately compromise the “ability to improve treatment outcomes, foster innovation, and meet the growing needs of patient populations.”

A Partner Through It All

The good news is that other industry leaders are following in the footsteps of the ADA—not just through advocacy efforts, but by providing tangible solutions that ensure dental professionals can continue keeping America healthy. Among them is Patterson Dental, a company that’s no stranger to helping its customers navigate both everyday challenges and unfamiliar obstacles. “We think of our role as providing ‘everything but the dentistry,’” Lacey Mercil, Patterson Senior Category Manager, Restoratives, said in a recent Dental Product Shopper ebook. “That means finding solutions, bringing innovation, solving problems, improving processes, and helping practices grow. It means we support every dental professional in every way we can so they can focus on the dentistry.”

In addition to working with its global network to minimize the impact of tariffs on customers, Patterson offers an expansive portfolio of private-label products, many of which are manufactured right here in the USA. From disposable prophy angles and fluoride varnish to carbide burs, ultrasonic scaler inserts, and even high-speed handpieces, Patterson Brand products encompass all the staples dental teams need to deliver quality patient care. The company also provides a selection of competitively-priced, American-made infection prevention products—this includes Patterson Brand procedure masks, patient bibs, surface wipes, sterilization pouches, and other everyday essentials.

Whether practices are looking for cost stability, reliable supply chains, or a way to support domestic manufacturing, Patterson private-label products present a sound solution. And while the world waits to see what Washington will do next, dental professionals can take comfort in the fact that, in Patterson, they’ll have a partner through it all.