The U.S. is projected to be short 36,517 dental professionals by 2031, according to a Sept. 29 report from McKinsey & Co.
The consulting firm analyzed 2021 data from Lightcast and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, including number of jobs and completed certifications, to predict employment gaps for 2031.
The company found that resignations among healthcare workers have increased from about 400,000 per month in 2020 to nearly 600,000 per month in May 2023.
Here is how the projected shortage in dentistry stacks up against five other healthcare industries:
Nursing care: 831,212 open positions
Specialty care: 62,604
Primary care: 13,420
Pharmacy: 38,675
Dentistry: 36,517
Emergency medical services: 11,701