More than 30% of dental hygienists, assistants expect to retire in the next 5 years

Approximately one-third (31.4 percent) of dental hygienists and 33.7 percent of dental assistants are expecting to retire within the next five years, according to dental workforce shortage research from the American Dental Association’s Health Policy Institute. 

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The workforce data was collected from thousands of dentists, dental hygienists and dental assistants in 2022. 

Here is when dental hygienists and dental assistants reported planning to retire:

Dental hygienists

Within the next 12 months: 4.1 percent

In the next 1-2 years: 9.6 percent

3-5 years from now: 17.7 percent

6-10 years from now: 21.3 percent

11-20 years from now: 27.5 percent

More than 20 years from now: 19.8 percent

Dental assistants

Within the next 12 months: 6.6 percent

In the next 1-2 years: 10.9 percent

3-5 years from now: 16.2 percent

6-10 years from now: 18.6 percent

11-20 years from now: 21 percent

More than 20 years from now: 26.8 percent

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