Staffing Issues

The dental industry is continuing to work through staffing problems, with the U.S. needing more than 10,000 dental practitioners to fill shortages.

There are nearly a dozen new and amended employment laws going into effect in California that dentists and dental practices need to know, according to an Oct. 31 news release from the California Dental Association.  

Montana is working to keep up with the demand in dental care while facing a dental hygienist shortage, KRTV reported Oct. 30.

Phoenix-based Toothio, a dental staffing marketplace, has received an additional $5 million in financing.

Orem-based Utah Valley University has opened a dental hygiene lab and community dental clinic, according to an Oct. 25 news release. 

Staffing shortages have plagued the dental industry, creating an ongoing problem for dental practices and DSOs. 

Thirty percent of dentists are doing more hygiene procedures compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new report from the American Dental Association.

Fresno (Calif.) City College is offering a Bachelor of Science degree in dental hygiene for the first time, according to a Sept. 27 report by ABC 30.

The American Dental Association expressed concerns about policy shortcomings in the model legislation for dental therapy adopted by the American Legislative Exchange Council, according to a Sept. 26 news release.

Staffing shortages are one of the most pressing issues to plague dentistry since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.