Flames and Fallout: How Wildfires Hurt Dental Practices

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How LA’s Recent Fires are Affecting Oral Health Care Providers and Patients

Data as of January 16, 2025

The ongoing wildfires in Southern California, particularly in Los Angeles County, have caused significant devastation, resulting in billions in damages. [Link]

The fires have destroyed over 12,000 structures and consumed over 60 square miles of land, forcing tens of thousands of people to evacuate. The Pasadena Public Health Department has declared a public health emergency due to the toxic ash from the Eaton Fire, urging residents to avoid disturbing the debris and take precautions. [Link]

The Palisades and Eaton fires, the largest of the fires, continue to burn. However, the wind conditions that had previously worsened the situation are weakening, providing relief for firefighters.



To assess the impact of the fires on the dental industry in LA, we conducted a comprehensive analysis that reveals how these vital services have been affected. Our research indicates a considerable impact on both the practices themselves and the communities they serve.

Sikka data consistently shows on a year-over-year basis that the number of patients visits are increasing at any given point in time, however, we noticed a significant drop in week two of 2025. This dramatic decline is reflected in Figure 1, which compares patient visits from week two starting in 2022 through 2025, indicating that the LA fires starting January 7th are likely the cause of the dip.


Dental Practices

During the wildfires in LA county, average production dropped by 22.35%, while patient visits declined by 27.87%, as shown in Figure 1, highlighting the significant effects of the fires on local practices.


Figure 1


In Figure 2, which presents a year-over-year comparison of the previous weeks, there is a noticeable drop of more than 20% in average production and patient count, further emphasizing the ongoing impact of the wildfires.


Figure 2


Note: In Figure 2, the data for Week 52 of 2024 and Week 1 of 2025 is excluded from the graph due to the holiday season, as it does not reflect typical consumer behavior.


What Does the Future Hold for the Local Practice Economy in the Wake of the LA Wildfires?

The recent wildfires in Los Angeles have left widespread destruction, raising concerns about the future of the local dental practice economy. Historical data from previous natural disasters, such as past wildfires, suggest that practice activity usually rebounds once the immediate crisis subsides. However, due to the severity of the current fires, the pace and extent of recovery remains uncertain.

Several factors will influence how quickly practices recover, including the scale of the damage caused by the fires, the ability to clear toxic debris and the availability of resources for rebuilding. Given the massive scale of the destruction, local practices may face a more prolonged recovery compared to previous wildfire seasons.

We are dedicated to closely monitoring the situation and providing valuable insights into how dental practices cope with this ongoing crisis. Acknowledging the challenges ahead, our thoughts are with those impacted by the wildfires. We remain hopeful for a swift recovery and minimal long-term damage, so these essential services can resume operations and thrive again.

For more data and real-time insights, visit Sikka.ai’s Industry Trends.