Benchmarking

Only 30 percent of dental practices in the U.S. cared for patients on public insurance, according to new data from the American Dental Association. 

The average number of hours dental professionals spent in offices hit its lowest point in three decades in 2020, according to new data from the American Dental Association.

After experiencing a decrease between 2017 and 2018, annual compensation for orthodontists has since increased, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

Although annual compensation for oral and maxillofacial surgeons saw a significant increase between 2016 and 2017, the average salary has declined since, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

Dental hygienist pay has increased 6.3 percent in the last five years, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

The annual salary for dental assistants has steadily increased over the last five years, with an 11.7 percent increase between 2016 and 2020, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

Most dentists are confident that the dental care economy will recover in six months.

Minnesota is the highest paying state for dental assistants, while Santa Rosa, Calif., is the highest paying city, according to data compiled by Becker's from several sources.

The average annual salary for dentists has gradually increased over the years, with a 4 percent increase from 2016 to 2020, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

The growing number of female dentists could diversify the workforce and improve care for underserved patients, according to a recent study by the Oral Health Workforce Research Center at the University at Albany of the State University of New York.