Dental hygiene program enrollment up 4%, dental assisting down 21%

First-year enrollment in dental hygiene education programs has grown since 2018, while enrollment has declined for dental assisting and laboratory technology programs, according to data from the American Dental Association. 

The American Dental Association tracks enrollment and financial data for accredited dental schools in the U.S. each year. 

Here is the percent change for first-year enrollment in accredited dental programs from the 2018-19 academic year to the 2022-23 academic year, the latest year data is available: 

Dental hygiene: 4.3 percent

Dental assisting: -21.9 percent

Dental laboratory technology: -30.1 percent

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