The workforce shortages that have defined the last several years are expected to continue into 2027, but technological advances could alleviate some of the pressure on dental practices.
Two dentists recently spoke with Becker’s to discuss the workforce challenges they predict will continue next year.
Note: Responses were lightly edited for clarity and length.
Q: What workforce trend do you predict will dominate the dental industry in 2027? How will this trend affect the industry?
Eric Linden, DMD (Woodcliff Lake, N.J.): The shortage of auxiliary dental healthcare workers in the United States, such as hygienists and assistants (both certified and non certified), will continue to get worse. There is no end in sight. High inflation and lower reimbursement rates for the dentists and specialists are creating a dental health workforce death spiral.
State dental boards will be facing mounting political pressure to allow even more liberal guidelines to “incentivize” interest in entering the dental field. There will also be pressure on salaries for the owners of private practices, DSOs, dental Institutions, federal clinics and schools to keep the dental workers at their current positions and for new hires. There will be pressure on the federal government (if they care about dental health) to intervene. If there are not any interventions, then the quality of dental care will suffer even further and create an unimaginable crisis. In the end, the patient will be worse off.
Jean Pierre Rwigema, DDS. Affordable Dentures & Implants (Fort Worth, Texas): I believe one of the biggest workforce challenges facing the dental industry in 2027 will continue to be the shortage of qualified dental hygienists and dental assistants. As a practicing dentist, I have seen how difficult it can be to recruit and retain experienced staff. When a practice is short-staffed, it affects almost everything, from scheduling patients to maintaining an efficient workflow and delivering quality care.
I think this shortage will continue to drive up wages and create more competition among dental practices. Smaller practices may have an especially difficult time competing with larger dental organizations that can offer better salaries and benefits. I also expect more practices to turn to artificial intelligence and digital technology to help reduce administrative work and improve efficiency. However, I don’t believe technology can replace the human interaction and clinical experience that are so important in dentistry.
In my opinion, practices that invest in their employees, provide opportunities for professional growth, and create a supportive work environment will be in a much better position to succeed. At the end of the day, taking good care of patients starts with having a well-trained, motivated, and reliable dental team.
Technology is changing the roles of dental staff by allowing them to spend less time on repetitive tasks and more time focusing on patient care. For example, artificial intelligence can assist with appointment scheduling, insurance verification, clinical documentation and analyzing dental radiographs. Digital impressions, CAD/CAM systems and 3D printing are also changing how dental assistants and laboratory technicians work, requiring them to develop new technical skills.
As a practicing dentist, I believe these changes will make dental teams more efficient, but they will also require continuous training and a willingness to adapt. Dental assistants may become more involved in digital scanning and treatment planning workflows, while front-office employees may spend more time helping patients understand treatment options and financial arrangements rather than handling routine paperwork.
I don’t believe technology will replace dental professionals. Instead, it will change how we work and the skills we need to succeed. Ultimately, practices that invest in both technology and staff training will be better prepared to address workforce shortages while maintaining quality patient care.
