The U.S. now has 8,033 dental professional shortage areas, according to the latest data from the Health Resources and Services Administration. The HRSA updates its dashboard showing data on health workforce shortage areas Oct. 20. The dashboard shows that 13,211…
Staffing Issues
Chicago-based Delta Dental Plans Association has committed nearly $3 million to five organizations through its 2026 Future Workforce Fund. The three-year grants will support programs that introduce young people to oral health careers and build pathways into the profession, according…
Here are six updates on the dental workforce since September: 1. One-fifth of dentists stated that hygienist positions had been open for more than six months before being filled, according to the American Dental Association’s “State of the U.S. Dental…
Mid-State Technical College has opened a $3.5 million dental clinic in Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., to support its new dental hygiene and dental assistant programs, according to an Oct. 19 report from ABC affiliate WSAW. The program will serve up to…
One-fifth of dentists stated that hygienist positions had been open for more than six months before being filled, according to the American Dental Association’s “State of the U.S. Dental Economy” report for the third quarter of 2026. The report shows…
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Twelve Arkansas counties had no actively practicing full-time dentists in 2024, according to a dashboard published Oct. 12 by the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement. The nonprofit health policy center created the dashboard with a Strategic Initiative Grant from the…
New California law allows unlicensed dental assistants to complete online infection control training
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed Senate Bill 1311 into law, allowing unlicensed dental assistants in California to complete required infection control training through virtual courses. Five notes:
The Missouri Dental Hygienists’ Association and a licensed dental hygienist have filed a lawsuit seeking to block a proposed Missouri Dental Board rule that would allow expanded-function dental assistants to perform supragingival scaling and comprehensive periodontal charting. The petition, filed…
With staffing shortages and workforce challenges continuing to create problems for dental practices, more offices are turning to a combination of temporary and permanent staff members, according to a new report from Cloud Dentistry, a dental staffing platform. The company’s…
Big Rapids, Mich.-based Ferris State University wants to expand its hygiene program in order to help address the state’s workforce shortages, upnorthlive.com reported Sept. 21. The university is seeking to renovate its allied health building to allow more students into…