Staffing shortages plague dental practices

Dental practices in the United States are experiencing staffing shortages that are causing delays in care for patients. The shortages, which are affecting a variety of positions including hygienists, dental assistants, and front office staff, are being exacerbated by increased demand for dental services due to deferred care during the COVID-19 pandemic. The American Dental Association reports that 40% of dental practices nationwide have open positions and are looking to hire new staff members, with 90% of those practices finding it extremely difficult to fill the positions. The Massachusetts Dental Society is launching a campaign to attract more high school graduates to the field, particularly as dental assistants, in an effort to address the staffing shortages and prevent a lack of access to care for patients.

Source: https://www.wbur.org/news/2022/08/23/dental-labor-shortage-massachusetts