10 staffing statistics reveal dental workforce challenges
Hiring and retention trends affecting your practice. Review staffing challenges reported across the dental industry.
Workforce
25 articles · Last updated:
Dental therapist role expands as social media drives career interest
Dental therapists now fill critical roles in UK practices; recruitment may improve through TikTok visibility.
Oklahoma expands dental access through new legislation
Oklahoma dentists should review HB 3934 scope changes and credential recognition updates affecting licensing and practice authority.
GDC acknowledges fee burden as ORE Part 2 cost rises to £6,967
ORE fees now £6,967 following £2,732 increase; GDC acknowledges candidate burden.
Five growth opportunities emerging in US dentistry in 2026
US DSO and independent practice leaders should assess dental assistant compensation and culture as retention strategy.
Pennsylvania expands dental faculty licensing for school clinics
New law eases faculty licensing for dentists at Pennsylvania dental schools; affects recruitment and teaching models.
International dentists outnumber UK-qualifiers on GDC register for first time
UK dentistry now depends on international recruitment more than ever: understand the workforce trends affecting hiring and retention.
Part 2 ORE fee jumps 65% as GDC confirms first exam sittings
Internationally qualified dentists must budget £6,967 for Part 2 ORE from August 2026. First booking window opens 30 June.
Share of foreign-trained dentists in Netherlands rises to 24 percent
Foreign-trained dentists now comprise nearly one-quarter of the Dutch workforce. Practice managers should understand implications for hiring, regulation, and integration.
ADHA: hygienist shortage is a retention crisis, not supply shortage
ADHA reframes hygiene shortage as retention, not supply; practices must focus on keeping staff.
California dental hygiene program placed on probation over compliance issues
Regional workforce impact: California's only dental hygiene program in Monterey Bay now at risk of losing accreditation.
National Dental Hygienist and Dental Therapist Day marks 13 years of direct access
Recognition day for UK and Ireland dental hygienists and therapists marks 13 years since direct access legislation.
Georgia Southern University breaks ground on second state dental school
New dental school construction begins in Georgia; relevant for understanding US workforce supply trends.
Over 54% of dental professionals experience burnout, survey finds
More than half of US dental staff report burnout despite job satisfaction; practice leaders should assess workplace conditions.
US dental insurance legislation could reduce admin burden
Practice administrators should track US dental insurance reform bills that could reduce operational burden and staffing costs.
Three emerging challenges dental leaders must address
Pediatric dental ED visits up 57.9% signals access gaps and cost barriers affecting how dentists must plan practice capacity.
Five new workforce statistics for dentists
Benchmark your practice staffing against latest US dental workforce data: 73% report adequate assistant levels.
NADP appoints first dentist to permanent staff role
First dentist hired to NADP permanent staff; may improve dialogue between dental plans and practices.
Dental Protection launches UK hub for internationally qualified dentists
International dental graduates in the UK can now access free contract review and 24/7 mental health support through a new dedicated hub.
Ireland moves toward direct access for dental hygienists
Ireland's government signals intent to reform dental hygienist scope, addressing 105,000 child screening backlog through direct-access legislation.
73% of US dentists report adequate dental assistant staffing
US data on dental assistant staffing: 73% of dentists adequately staffed, but recruitment challenges persist for the remaining 27%.
Dental hygienists face emotional toll from packed appointment schedules
Article explores emotional labor in hygiene appointments and its impact on workforce retention and patient care quality.
Kansas leads children's oral health with 59 pediatric dentists
Dental workforce data showing dentist supply does not automatically improve children's oral health outcomes.
Free dental practice expands from Havelte to Amsterdam
Dutch dental professionals can volunteer for free care expansion while addressing workforce shortages and equity gaps.
First private dental training institutes certified under ABC Mondzorgassistenten quality mark
Practices hiring dental assistants trained at Edin or Dental Best Practice can now verify sector-recognised competency through the Register Mondzorgassistenten.