The persistent shortage of dental hygienists is leading to scheduling backlogs at dental practices, according to a Feb. 4 report from CBS affiliate WKRC.
Staffing Issues
More than 20 states increased minimum wage on Jan. 1, increasing wages for more than nine million workers by a total of nearly $6 billion, according to the Economic Policy Institute.
Two more states are looking to join the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact, while participation in the compact was recently challenged in another state.
Resident dentists at the University of Buffalo in New York voted to unionize and negotiate for better training, staffing and pay, NBC affiliate WGRZ reported Jan. 28.
Approximately 37.5% of dental practice managers are planning or are actively pursuing a job change within the next few years, according to Dentalpost's 2025 Dental Salary Survey Report.
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About 22.9% of dental office managers plan to retire within six years, according to Dentalpost's 2025 Dental Salary Survey Report.
Wisconsin has launched several initiatives aimed at bringing more dentists to its rural communities, Wisconsin Public Radio reported Jan. 23.
Watertown, N.Y.-based Jefferson Community College is launching a dental hygiene program, according to a Jan. 22 report from 7 News.
More than half of all dental assistants are currently applying for new jobs or planning to do so before 2026, according to Dentalpost's 2025 Dental Salary Survey Report.
Cleveland, Wis.-based Lakeshore College is expanding its on-site dental clinic and launching a dental hygiene program with a $1.2 million grant.