Although the dental industry is seeing improvements in hygiene staffing, continuity remains at risk due to an aging workforce, according to Dentalpost’s 2026 Dental Salary Survey Report.
Dentalpost’s annual report highlights various industry trends, including workforce, salary and practice management. Dentalpost surveyed nearly 3,575 dental professionals to create this year’s report. The survey was conducted from Aug. 29 until Sept. 30, 2025.
Dentalpost surveyed 2,609 hygienists for the report.
Here are 10 notes from the report showing what the hygiene workforce looks like in 2026:
1. Thirty-four percent of dental hygienists are younger than 45 years old, down from 38% in last year’s report.
2. Eleven percent of hygienists are at least 65 years old.
3. Twenty-seven percent of hygienists said they plan to retire in the next five years.
4. One in three hygienists has at least three decades of experience in the field.
5. Nearly one in five hygienists has been with their current employer for more than two decades.
6. Eighty-eight percent of hygienists work in general dentistry practices.
7. Ninety-seven percent of hygienists are women.
8. Sixty-five percent of hygienists work full time.
9. Seventy-three percent of hygienists work in private practice, while 11% work for corporate offices.
10. Thirty-three percent of hygienists work in a practice with a mixed-model financial structure, while 35% work in a PPO-based office.
