CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for dental laboratories in Birmingham, AL
Dental laboratories in the Birmingham, AL metro area: 15 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs a 7-person team.
- Establishments
- 15CBP 2023
- Employees
- 105mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 1.3U.S. 1.4
- Rank
- 56th of 274areas by count
The dental laboratory market in Birmingham, AL
The Census Bureau's 2023 County Business Patterns lists 15 establishments classified as Dental Laboratories (NAICS 339116) in the Birmingham, AL metro area. They employed 105 people in mid-March and paid $4,051,000 in annual payroll. By establishment count the area is 56th out of 274 areas with published figures for dental laboratories.
Measured against its 1.2 million residents (2024 estimate), the area has 1.3 dental laboratories per 100,000 people; the U.S. rate is 1.4, so Birmingham, AL is 10.5% below the national figure. The average establishment here has 7.0 employees, compared with 8.8 nationally. Payroll per employee comes to $38,581, 29.8% below the national $54,943.
| Measure | Birmingham, AL | Alabama | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 15 | 65 | 4,782 |
| Mid-March employees | 105 (moderate noise) | 875 | 42,188 |
| Annual payroll | $4,051,000 (moderate noise) | $39,716,000 | $2,317,941,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 7.0 | 13.5 | 8.8 |
| Payroll per employee | $38,581 | $45,390 | $54,943 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 1.3 | 1.3 | 1.4 |
Census County Business Patterns 2023 (mid-March employment; annual payroll). Employees and payroll flagged high-noise are shown but not used in the text. Residents: Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
Establishment size: dental laboratories in Birmingham, AL
Of the dental laboratories in Birmingham, AL that had employees in March 2023, 64.3% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 62.7%). 100.0% had fewer than ten. When a business has only a few people, whoever is free answers the phone, and calls that arrive while everyone is busy go to voicemail unless they are routed somewhere else.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 9 | 64.3% | 62.7% |
| 5–9 employees | 5 | 35.7% | 20.4% |
| 10–19 employees | not published | — | 8.8% |
| 20–49 employees | not published | — | 5.5% |
| 50 or more employees | 0 | 0.0% | 2.7% |
Employment-size classes count establishments by mid-March 2023 employment. Establishments with no March employees are excluded from the size classes, so shares are of establishments with employees. Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023.
Why the phone matters for dental laboratories in Birmingham, AL
Dental labs work almost entirely for dental offices, and their calls center on case status checks, shade questions and delivery dates. Quick, accurate answers keep referring dentists loyal.
Typical inbound and outbound calls for dental laboratories in Birmingham, AL:
- A dentist calls to discuss a shade or design detail.
- The lab calls an office about an impression that needs to be retaken.
- A courier calls about a pickup.
Texting dental practices
Labs text case-ready and pickup notices to dental offices.
Team texting on Callata runs from your business number, so replies come from the practice or shop rather than someone's personal phone. It turns on after the one-time $49 carrier registration (10DLC) is approved.
Phone system pricing for a 7-person dental laboratory
The average dental laboratory in Birmingham, AL has 7.0 employees, so a 7-person team is a reasonable benchmark. On a per-user plan that headcount sets the bill: $174.65 a month on Ooma Office Pro or $210.00 on RingCentral RingEX Core at list price (checked September 28, 2026). Callata comes to $139.00 a month for 7 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $852 less than RingCentral for a dental laboratory in Birmingham, AL of that size. Annual contracts lower some competitors' prices, so compare the plan you would actually sign.
| Provider (plan) | Pricing basis | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callata (Callata Office) | $99 incl. 5 users, $20 per extra user | $139.00 | $1,668.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $133.00 | $1,596.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $161.00 | $1,932.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $174.65 | $2,095.80 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $189.00 | $2,268.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $210.00 | $2,520.00 |
Competitor prices are each vendor's published month-to-month list price per user for its lowest plan that includes business calling and texting, checked September 28, 2026: Quo Starter $19, Nextiva Core $23, Ooma Office Pro $24.95 (Essentials excludes texting; one-time $29.95 activation not included), Dialpad Standard $27, RingCentral RingEX Core $30 ($20 billed annually). Prices exclude taxes and fees and may change; annual contracts lower some competitors' prices.
Local area codes for dental laboratories in Birmingham, AL
NANPA records place the exchanges of the area's named cities and towns in 3 area codes. 205 has the most, with 602 of 727 exchanges (83%). A local number lets dental practices in Birmingham, AL call without dialing out of area. Callata includes up to 3 local numbers, and which numbers are open in an area code depends on carrier inventory when you choose.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 205 | 602 | Central | 1947 | 659 |
| 659 | 121 | Central | 2019 | 205 |
| 334 | 4 | Central | 1995 | 483 |
Exchanges are NANPA-assigned central office codes (NPA-NXX) in the rate centers matched to the area's named places. Source: NANPA utilized code and NPA reports.
Setting up Callata for a dental laboratory in Birmingham, AL
For $99 a month, Callata puts a team of up to 5 on one plan ($20 for each person after that): up to 3 local numbers, unlimited inbound calls, a pooled allowance of 1,500 outbound US and Canada minutes per user, browser and cell calling, voicemail transcription with urgency triage, recorded calls with AI summaries and business-hours routing, with E911 on every number.
Porting a number you already use in Birmingham, AL is free, and business texting is available once the carrier registration (10DLC) is approved; the registration carries a one-time $49 fee. Which specific numbers are open in a given area code depends on carrier inventory at the time you sign up.
AI agents are optional: an AI receptionist or scheduler can pick up when the team is busy or closed, take a message, send a text or email, or transfer the call. They draw on prepaid AI minutes ($0.25/minute), disclose that they are AI, and outbound AI calls require prior consent and are limited to 8am–9pm.
Frequently asked questions
How many dental laboratories are there in Birmingham, AL?
Census County Business Patterns counted 15 dental laboratories in the Birmingham, AL metro area in 2023. They employed 105 people in mid-March.
What does a business phone system cost for a 7-person dental laboratory?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 7 users cost $210.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $174.65 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $139.00.
What area code should a dental laboratory in Birmingham, AL use?
Area code 205 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places, followed by 659 and 334. If you already have a local number, you can port it to Callata for free.
Can an AI receptionist answer calls for a dental laboratory?
Yes. Callata's optional AI agents can answer when the team is busy or closed, take a message, text, email or transfer the call. They disclose that they are AI and are billed from prepaid AI minutes at $0.25 per minute.