What Incisal Edge’s 2025-26 Dentist Survey Reveals
Dentists across every specialty are expressing strong confidence about their retirement outlook, according to Incisal Edge’s 2025-26 Dentist Survey. In fact, over 90% of respondents say they are very or somewhat confident they will reach their retirement savings goals of $3 million to $5 million or more.
This is good news because almost 50% of American families have $0 saved for retirement. Four percent saved $500,000-$999,999, and only 3% have over $1,000,000 saved. If you are reading this blog, you are likely among the top 10% of American families with retirement savings.
Below are some of the survey’s key findings along with analysis from CWA Managing Partner Dan Wicker.
Dentists Make Saving for Retirement a Priority
Across all age groups, over 73% of dentists surveyed consider retirement saving a key priority and for most, it’s also their number‑one financial worry. The study also found, however, that younger respondents (ages 25-34) are more focused on paying down debt and building an emergency fund than saving for the future.
Dentists Also Know to Start Saving Early
Most survey respondents began saving for retirement between 25 and 30 years old, which is good. Saving is a habit and those that commit to it earlier win. Read why CWA Founding Partner Darrell Cain says the most important factor to reaching your retirement goals is time.
Dentists Diversify to Build Wealth
Most dentists prioritize traditional tax-advantaged vehicles for retirement—a strategy CWA recommends. Many supplement these with after-tax brokerage accounts and permanent life insurance. Some mid-career practice owners add real estate investments, while younger owners and associates show interest in crypto and day trading.
For Some, After Spending There’s Nothing Left to Save
For over 50% of respondents, insufficient cash flow is the greatest barrier to saving. Many are still counting on a practice sale to help fund their retirements, but still others are simply having trouble getting started saving. A common theme among doctors was that investing in their practices comes first.
Having a Plan is the Key to Solving the Cash Flow Problem
At the beginning of your career, nothing seems farther away than retirement. It can be difficult to focus on saving for an event 40 years in the future, when today’s needs and desires seem much more urgent.
Time is the most critical factor in building wealth. Someone who saves from age 18 to 26 will accumulate more than someone saving the same amount from 27 to 65, assuming equal returns.
“That’s the power of compounding interest and why we recommend balancing debt paydown and retirement savings so clients can reach financial freedom at an earlier age,” says Dan.
With compounding interest, you earn interest on both the money you’ve saved and the interest you earn. The sooner money is put to work, the sooner it compounds.
When it comes to increasing cash flow, doctors must first and foremost understand their practice’s cash flow. This means reviewing production to determine if you’re producing enough to meet your cash flow needs and working to increase specific key performance indicators. Next, it’s critical to understand where the money collected is being spent, and if the levels support net profit growth.
“Without this insight, you cannot make the correct decisions to reach financial freedom,” says Dan.
For more data and analysis, see the full survey results.
About half of respondents rely on a combination of financial professionals, primarily an accountant and financial planner. Do you have an advisor to support your financial success?
Our advisors would be happy to help you map out your financial future, regardless of whether you have time on your side, or if you’re playing catch up. Reach out for a complimentary consultation.
