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By the Numbers: The Staffing Crisis in Dentistry (And What You Can Do About It)

June 20, 2025

Since the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, recruiting and retaining staff has surfaced as the most significant challenge facing dental practices. Staffing issues are expected to remain a key concern for dentists into 2026.1 Let’s look at the numbers and review some ways to find and retain staff members.

90%

of dentists report it is an “extremely” or “very” challenging environment for recruiting dental hygienists.2

70%

of dentists report it is an “extremely” or “very” challenging environment for recruiting dental assistants.2

62%

of dentists see staffing shortages, recruitment or retention as a top challenge in 2025.2

3,000+

hygienists permanently retired amid the pandemic.3

< 50%

of hygienists who left the workforce during the pandemic returned to work in 2021.4

Best Practices

Recruiting Staff

  • Provide hiring bonuses. Consider providing 50% at the start of employment and 50% after a designated employment period is reached.5
  • Incentivize your employees to recruit by offering a referral bonus.5
  • Develop relationships with dental schools to get in front of prospective employees and build relationships with faculty. They may think of you first when their best students are seeking opportunities.5
  • Evaluate your image. While you’re judging candidates, they’re also judging you. Make sure your website reflects your personality, and your office is clean and modern.6

Retaining Staff

  • Compare your benefits to others in your area to see how they stack up. If not offered already, consider comprehensive benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, additional vacation days and a 401(k) plan.5
  • Create a positive culture. A negative environment will gradually drive some of the best staff members to seek employment in other practices.7
  • Build career satisfaction by having regular coaching discussions and provide opportunities to learn and grow.8
  • Consider a bonus or profit-sharing plan. This may help to foster a sense of ownership and personal pride in the practice’s success.

References

  1. Vujicic M. A look at the top challenges and trends for dentists in 2025. ADA Dental Sound Bites. American Dental Association. 2025.

  2.  American Dental Association. Economic outlook and emerging issues in dentistry: 4th quarter, 2024. Health Policy Institute. 2025.

  3. Morrissey RW, Gurenlian JR, Estrich CG, Eldridge LA, Battrell A, Lynch A, Mikkelsen M, Harrison B, Araujo MWB, Vujicic M. Employment patterns of dental hygienists in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic: An update. J Dent Hyg. 2022 Feb;96(1):27-33.

  4. American Dental Association, American Dental Assistants Association, American Dental Hygienists’ Association, Dental Assisting National Board, IgniteDA. Dental workforce shortages: Data to navigate today’s labor market. Health Policy Institute. 2022 Oct.

  5. California Dental Association. Recruitment strategies to overcome staffing shortages in dental offices. 2022 Feb 2. https://www.cda.org/newsroom/employment-practices/recruitment-strategies-to-overcome-staffing-shortages-in-dental-offices/. 

  6. Dental Intelligence. Dental staff recruitment: 6 hiring tips to gain qualified dental professionals. 2023 Jan 6. https://www.dentalintel.com/blog-posts/dental-staff-recruitment-6-hiring-tips-to-gain-qualified-dental-professionals.

  7. Levin R. 4 easy ways to retain your staff during trying times. Dent Econ. 2023 Sep 13.

  8. Ebert S. Retaining your dental staff through the great resignation. American Dental Association. https://www.ada.org/resources/careers/career-transitions/articles/retaining-your-dental-staff-through-the-great-resignation.