Out of the 1,020 respondents to the ADA’s monthly “Economic Outlook and Emerging Issues in Dentistry” for the week of Oct. 16, 35% said that workloads and responsibilities are different in 2023.
Here is how workloads at those dental practices have changed:
The dentist does more hygienist, assistant and administrative duties: 49.7%
Cross-training staff/multitasking/sharing responsibilities: 16.2%
Increased responsibilities/maximizing qualifications for clinical staff: 14.9%
Increased workload for all staff/working longer hours: 8.8%
Reduced hours/days worked and scheduling fewer appointments: 4%
Increased appointment length: 3.7%
Hired additional staff for specific responsibilities: 3.7%
Added/retained infection control protocols: 3%
Streamlined/automated some administrative duties: 1.2%
Outsourced lab work: 0.9%
Miscellaneous: 4%