The Dental Products Market Share Study (DPMSS) is SDM's power tool for the dental industry. It is the only precise measure available of the relative market position of products used by dentists. Currently we track all merchandise and most laboratory products sold through dealer distribution. Large equipment is not yet part of our database.

DPMSS provides accurate and timely manufacturer, product brand, product category and market share data on a quarterly basis to:

• Evaluate the performance of your products versus the competition.
• Measure the relative $ sales of specific brands and product categories.
• Interpret changes in various dental products markets.
• Gauge performance in specific markets.
• Assess regional differences in product performance.
• Manage sales forces.
• Allocate resources efficiently.
• Improve market share.
• Guide research and new business development.

Click on any chart to see an enlarged sample report.

A . In consumer products and pharmaceuticals, market share data is obtained from the retailers that sell products to end users. Obviously, the most accurate data is only available from the supermarket and pharmacy chains that generate the actual sales.

In the dental industry, the only way to obtain accurate data is to collect actual "out-the-door" sales data from participating dental supply dealers. SDM presently collects this data from 80% of dental dealer sales volume throughout the United States. A similar representative sample is collected in the UK.

Dental distributors supplying the information represent a statistically significant sample which is projectable to the entire respective dental marketplace.

A. SDM undertakes an exhaustive editing cycle each quarter to verify the accuracy of our reports. We process massive amounts of data quickly, yet we are flexible enough to adapt information for new products and markets. (The SDM system was specifically designed to normalize thousands of dental products from various data providers since the US and UK dental industries do not have universal product codes.) Our process can seamlessly compare the variety of vendor put-ups and packaging options to normalize units and facilitate comparisons.

A. Market data is collected and published quarterly to provide dental industry professionals with on time information to quickly assess changes in product performance, evaluate new products and measure response to promotional programs. Reports are published 60-75 days after the close of each quarter.

Data maintenance procedures are established to ensure the swift inclusion of new vendors, new products, and all other updates.

A. Current market and sales data is available in dollars and in units, with category and brand share trends to provide input for effective decision making and strategic planning.

A. All reports are provided in user friendly formats with easy identification of product categories and regional market areas. Attractive tables and charts show dollars and units sales, average unit price and dollar market share for each brand and manufacturer in each product category. Brands with various product formulations and configuration have been grouped together to facilitate comparison between brands. Trends in sales are provided on every data chart with changes detailed versus previous quarter, and the same period one-year-ago. Maps are provided on all regional charts to facilitate quick recognition of respective regional data.

Data is provided as hard copy in binders, on CD or diskettes, and via our Internet website.

DPMSS Full Merchandise Report may be purchased as a yearly subscription (4 quarterly and a Year-End Summary report). (Note: Hand Instruments is not included in the Full Report. It may be purchased as a separate category. Our DPMSS Laboratory Reports are also sold as a separate subscription).

Or individual product categories may be purchased separately.

See Custom Reports for DPMSS data to meet your specific requirements (such as Manufacturer's Summary, Custom Territory Summary, or Custom Item Codes Summary).

The reports are presented as Total US Market sales, supported by eight geographical regions.

United States Regions:

Northeast: CT, MA, ME, NH, NY, RI, VT

Mid-Atlantic: DC, DE, MD, NJ, PA, VA, WV

Southeast: AL, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN

Midwest: IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MS, MO, ND, NE, OH, SD, WI

Southwest: AR, NM, OK, TX

Mountain: CO, ID, MT, UT, WY

Northwest: AK, OR, WA

Western: AZ, CA, HI, NV

A. Twenty-seven major product categories with over 276 sub-categories are available. Click on Product Categories to review the complete list.

A. DPMSS includes the following marketing data:

• Executive Summary
  Each report includes an Executive Summary which outlines the key research findings. A discussion of major market and technology trends, as well as important competitive factors characterizing the industry, are discussed.

• Product Category Data
  Data is reported for categories by totaling all manufacturers that participate in the category. Trend information is available as data is collected quarterly.

• Sub-Minor Product Category Data
  Sales data is reported for sub-minor categories by totaling all the brands within the sub-category. An example of a sub-minor category is "Toothbrushes" in the "Preventives" category or "Alginates" in "Impression Material." Trend information is available for the previous quarter and the previous year for sub-minor categories.

• Total By Manufacturer
  Market share is calculated for each manufacturer by reporting all relevant brands in the product category.

• Market Share By Brand
  Market share for each brand is reported.

• Average Price per Unit
  Average price for each brand is provided by using standard unit of measurement in each product category.

• Dollar Change Versus Previous Year
  Trends in dollar sales are calculated in each report, comparing the same quarter from the previous year.

• Quarterly Share
  Quarterly market share is provided in both units and dollars. Units are calculated based on a standard unit of measurement in the product category, i.e., by the oz, gross, each.

• Share Versus Previous Period
  Market share data is provided by brand for the current quarter as well as the change from the previous quarter.

• Share Versus Period Year-Ago
  Market share data is provided for manufacturers and brands for the current period, as well as the same period from the previous year.