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 Economy” report for the third quarter of 2026.
2. California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 1311 into law, allowing unlicensed dental assistants in California to complete required infection control training through virtual courses.
3. 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.
4. 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 report from Cloud Dentistry.
5. Roughly half of dental assistants are satisfied with their jobs in 2026, according to the Dental Assisting National Board’s 2026 Dental Assistant Hiring and Retention Report.
6. Employment of dental hygienists is projected to grow much faster than the average rate for all other occupations, according to data from the Bureau of Labor statistics.
