The ADA surveyed 1,883 dentists for its January “Economic Outlook and Emerging Issues in Dentistry” poll. Of those surveyed, 997 owner dentists shared how challenging they found it to recruit for four positions. Choices included “extremely challenging,” “very challenging,” “moderately challenging,” “slightly challenging,” “not challenging at all,” and “not sure/not applicable.”
Percentage of dental practice owners who found it “extremely challenging” and “very challenging” to hire staff:
Dental hygienists
Extremely challenging: 75.7 percent
Very challenging: 16.5
Dental assistants
Extremely challenging: 57.1 percent
Very challenging: 30.4
Dentists
Extremely challenging: 47.5 percent
Very challenging: 25.3 percent
Administrative staff
Extremely challenging: 44.9 percent
Very challenging: 32 percent
