Staffing Issues

North Carolina has the highest ranked workforce, according to CNBC's top states for business rankings, published July 17. 

Negative workplace culture is the top reason why dental hygienists are voluntarily leaving the industry, while dental assistants most frequently leave due to insufficient pay, according to dental workforce shortage research from the American Dental Association's Health Policy Institute. 

Here are eight colleges and universities creating and expanding dental hygiene and assisting programs that Becker's has reported on since May 2:

Fort Myers, Fla.-based Hodges University is launching a new dental hygiene program, according to a July 19 report from CBS affiliate WINK.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously voted to advance the Action for Dental Health Act of 2023 to the House floor for consideration. 

Dental practitioners have the most advertised vacancies compared to other dental roles as of June, according to research from job search engine Adzuna.

Approximately one-third (31.4 percent) of dental hygienists and 33.7 percent of dental assistants are expecting to retire within the next five years, according to dental workforce shortage research from the American Dental Association's Health Policy Institute. 

Malta, Ill.-based Kishwaukee College is offering a 12-week dental assistant program.

More than 80 percent of dental practice owners have given dental assistants and dental hygienists on their staff a raise in the past year, according to a poll from the American Dental Association's Health Policy Institute.

Several dental and medical organizations urged Congress to address workforce issues in the healthcare industry.