More than 30 percent of dental practices in the U.S. are recruiting dental assistants and hygienists, according to a recent poll by the American Dental Association's Health Policy Institute.
The poll was taken as part of the ADA's monthly "Economic Outlook and Emerging Issues in Dentistry" report. The HPI surveyed about 1,102 dentists on which roles they were recruiting for during the week of Sept. 12.
Results:
Dental hygienists
Yes: 36.4 percent
No: 61.9 percent
Not sure: 1.7 percent
Dental assistants
Yes: 37.7 percent
No: 60.2 percent
Not sure: 2.1 percent
Dentists
Yes: 14 percent
No: 83 percent
Not sure: 3 percent
Administrative staff
Yes: 26.8 percent
No: 70.6 percent
Not sure: 2.6 percent