Dentist owners and DSOs may experience challenges recruiting staff in some states more than others as a new ranking shows which states employers are having the most trouble with hiring.
Dental workforce shortages exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic continued through 2023 and is projected to be an issue in future months. The U.S. is currently in need of more than 10,000 dentists, according to the Health Resources and Services Administration, but McKinsey & Co. projects the U.S. will be short more than 36,000 dental professionals by 2031.
WalletHub released its ranking of states where employers are having trouble hiring Feb. 14. To create the ranking, WalletHub evaluated all U.S. states and Washington, D.C., based on job openings for the latest month as well as the last 12 months.
Here are 10 states where employers are experiencing the most trouble with hiring:
1. West Virginia
Job opening rate (latest month): 6.8%
Job opening rate: (last 12 months): 7.23%
2. South Carolina
Job opening rate (latest month): 6.8%
Job opening rate: (last 12 months): 6.97%
3. Alaska
Job opening rate (latest month): 6.5%
Job opening rate: (last 12 months): 7.53%
4. Colorado
Job opening rate (latest month): 6.6%
Job opening rate: (last 12 months): 6.73%
5. Minnesota
Job opening rate (latest month): 6.5%
Job opening rate: (last 12 months): 6.28%
6. Louisiana
Job opening rate (latest month): 6.3%
Job opening rate: (last 12 months): 6.72%
7. Mississippi
Job opening rate (latest month): 6.3%
Job opening rate: (last 12 months): 6.68%
8. Michigan
Job opening rate (latest month): 6.8%
Job opening rate: (last 12 months): 5.52%
9. Virginia
Job opening rate (latest month): 6.2%
Job opening rate: (last 12 months): 6.49%
10. Tennessee
Job opening rate (latest month): 6.1%
Job opening rate: (last 12 months): 6.61%