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.
The DANB survey was conducted in April. The findings published in the report are based on a 3% total response rate from survey invitations sent to more than 50,000 dental assistants.
The report highlights challenges with hiring and retaining dental assistants and compares data between dental assistants who are and are not certified by the board.
Eight notes from the report:
1. Certified dental assistants are more likely to stick with the same employer, with 86% of CDAs remaining at their jobs for the last year compared to 70% of non-certified dental assistants.
2. A lack of career growth, low pay and underappreciation are the largest factors driving dental assistants to leave the field despite them enjoying their profession. Sixty-eight percent of dental assistants view their role as a career, but only 43% feel valued by their employer. Thirty-two percent of dental assistants reported considering leaving their job.
3. About 1 in 5 dental assistants have changed jobs within the last year.
4. DANB reported that pay is a top concern for dental assistants because salaries and raises have not kept up with inflation and the rising cost of living. The organization said increasing pay by 15% can improve retention and offset turnover costs.
5. DANB also recommended investing in training and education, encouraging dental assistants to work at the top of their scope of practice and increasing pay to align with responsibilities and productivity.
6. Dental assistant job satisfaction has declined over the last 10 years, with only about 50% of dental assistants feeling satisfied with their jobs in 2026. One in three dental assistants reported being unsure of how long they will stay in the profession.
7. Job satisfaction among certified dental assistants declined from 89% in 2016 to 57% in 2026. Satisfaction rates among uncertified dental assistants dropped from 78% in 2016 to 47% in 2026.
8. Dental assistants are facing an increasing amount of stress and burnout, with 23% of dental assistants working more than one job and 20% working over 40 hours per week. Thirty-five percent of dental assistants reported feeling high stress.
At the Becker's 5th Annual Future of Dentistry Roundtable, taking place September 14-15 in Chicago, dental leaders and executives will gain insights into emerging technologies, practice growth strategies and the evolving landscape of dental care delivery, with a focus on innovation, patient experience and operational excellence. Apply for complimentary registration now.
