LEIPZIG, Germany: Global dental markets proved their resilience during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic; however, the real test may have been yet to come. In the closing months of last year, the lingering shadow of the pandemic finally put the lights out at SmileDirectClub (SDC), and ongoing geopolitical conflicts in Europe and the Middle East further darkened consumer confidence in key dental markets. Fourth-quarter results from the giants of dentistry reflected caution by private dental clinics and dental support organisations and financial restraint by patients, and the period was not without its surprises.