Several DSOs have recently launched initiatives and hired execs dedicated to supporting dental assistants and hygienists as workforce shortages continue to challenge the industry.
Irvine, Calif.-based Pacific Dental Services is continuing to show support for dental assistants in its network. This month, the company invested $5 million in compensation and specialized training for its dental assistants, and is continuing to provide 100% college tuition coverage for dental assistants to earn an undergraduate degree.
The Pacific Dental Services Foundation also awarded $45,000 to recipients of its Dr. Carolyn Ghazal Dental Assistant Scholarship for Spring 2024.
Founder and CEO Stephen Thorne IV told Becker's that supporting dental assistants is critical to alleviating workforce shortages.
"Our primary goal is to raise the visibility and status of dental assisting. Dental assisting is a demanding yet rewarding occupation on par with medical assisting and nursing," Mr. Thorne told Becker's. "It is through our collective efforts that we can elevate the professional stature of dental assisting and secure a brighter future for our industry."
The Aspen Group partnered with Women Employed and Midwestern Career College to launch an initiative to help low-income women join the dental workforce.
Through the partnership, individuals will receive training to work as dental assistants in Chicago, Evergreen Park and Oak Lawn, Ill. Women Employed will provide need-based financial assistance for program tuition and other ancillary expenses. The Aspen Group's Oral Care Center also serves as a dental assisting externship site for participants in MCC's dental assisting programs to provide on-site training for clinical experience.
Becky Kiddoo, director of hygiene at Select Dental Management, recently told Becker's that the DSO launched a hygiene study club to provide mentorship and education for hygienists on topics like new technology, best practices and more.
New Hyde Park, N.Y.-based Dental365 is also expanding its hygiene executive committee this year to continue supporting providers in this role. The DSO formed the committee last May to elevate patient care and support the professional growth of staff.
Several dental organizations have also appointed leaders to oversee support for these roles, including Chicago-based Aspen Dental, Atlanta-based Benevis and Nashville, Tenn.-based Tend.
Caitlin Reen, the new clinical director of hygiene and assisting at Tend, told Becker's that it is important to foster relationships with dental assistants and hygienists.
"Dentistry is a relationship game and without building a foundation of trust and communication, nothing will get accomplished," she said. "We have so many exciting things in the pipeline this year for our hygienists and assistants — from transforming our onboarding and training programs, to implementing new technology, to evolving our learning and development systems and focusing on mentorship and career growth — our team will have the support they need to accomplish their goals."
Kimberly (Cameron) Jones, Aspen Dental’s new vice president of hygiene operations, said one of the best ways for DSOs to support hygienists is through education.
"I think one of the most underrated ways offices and DSOs can support hygienists is keeping them up to date on changes in dentistry," she said. "We keep them informed on everything to empower them to deliver the best possible care to patients, and grow their skill sets. We also put the best technology in their hands. For example, we have the 3D scanners and we have the voice-activated periodontal charting. Because we do this, it gives hygienists the confidence they need to ultimately deliver the best care to our patients."