More than 90% of dentists who have actively been recruiting dental hygienists over the past three months said that it has been “very” or “extremely” challenging, according to a report from the American Dental Association.
Nearly 40% of dentists who responded to the ADA’s Economic Outlook and Emerging Issues in Dentistry for Q1 2026 reported that they are actively recruiting dental hygienists.
At least 31% of dentists have been recruiting hygienists since the first quarter of 2024. The percentage of dentists who said recruitment of hygienists has been “very” or “extremely” challenging has not dropped below 87% over that time frame.
The shortage of dental hygienists and wage demands are by far the two biggest recruiting hurdles for dentists.
Here are the top five challenges dentists have been facing when it comes to recruiting dental hygienists, along with the percentage of respondents who are dealing with the issue.
- Not enough applicants, hygienist shortage: 66.5%
- Demand for high wages or benefits: 36.8%
- Applicants do not want to work advertised hours: 7.9%
- Applicants are not qualified or of poor quality: 5.9%
- Mismatch between wages vs. insurance reimbursement: 5.9%
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