Staffing shortages, especially when it comes to dental hygienists and dental assistants, have been an ongoing problem for the dental industry with no concrete solution. 

This month, several dental industry leaders spoke with Becker's about the most pressing issues and trends in the field, including artificial intelligence, staffing shortages and inflation. 

While several strides have been made to improve access to care for pediatric dental patients, demand is expected to continue for providers in this field, according to Barry Lyon, DDS. 

Some of the top factors keeping dentistry from progressing include high costs, workforce shortages and limited reimbursements, according to one dentist. 

Artificial intelligence has allowed one DSO to enhance the patient experience and increase treatment acceptance. 

Heartland Dental knows the value of investing in development and has always provided supported doctors, their teams, and business and office professionals with continuing education opportunities. For over 25 years, we have recognized education’s crucial role in supported doctor satisfaction and in fostering the success of supported doctors and their teams in delivering exceptional patient care.

Many dentists agree that financial constraints and staffing challenges are keeping the dental industry from growing and progressing further. 

As a newly minted dentist, transitioning from being in school to working at a practice can be intimidating. In addition to the clinical challenges of caring for patients with a variety of dental needs, you’re also navigating the ins and outs of a real office. You may have had leadership experiences in dental school, but those don’t necessarily translate to a busy office.

Challenging, competitive and growing are just some of the ways dentists and dental leaders are describing the current state of affairs in dentistry.

Whether to join a DSO or MSO is one of the most important decisions dentists will be faced with during their career, especially as consolidation increases in the industry. 

As the dental industry deals with ongoing workforce shortages exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, many are looking for solutions to alleviate these challenges. 

Striking a deal that benefits all parties involved is the main objective of Cal Dental USA's operational model.

The upcoming presidential election, focusing on mental health and the DSO consolidation market are three of the most important issues and trends that these nine dental leaders are facing heading into the second half of 2024. 

Workforce shortages and hiring challenges continue to be one of the biggest threats to the dental industry, according to Barry Lyon, DDS. 

Chicago-based Aspen Dental opened a practice in Annapolis, Md., June 20 to increase accessibility for patients in the state.

Despite experiencing a less active first half of the year than planned, U.S. Oral Surgery Management has big plans to expand its network later this year, including entering new states and recruiting more surgeons.

Oral surgery is seeing an increase in female providers entering the field, and one MSO is capitalizing on the trend. 

The DSO field is preparing for a more active second half of the year as executives look to a potentially more optimistic economy, according to Henry Moomaw, CFO at Irving, Texas-based U.S. Oral Surgery Management.

More dentists are shifting their perspectives and becoming more open to adopting artificial intelligence technology at their practices, according to VideaHealth CEO Florian Hillen. 

This month, several dental industry leaders spoke with Becker's about the most pressing issues and trends in the field, including DSO consolidation, cybersecurity threats and medical-dental integration.