Recent data reveals the current state of dental workforce staffing in the United States. The findings show that more than 73% of dentists report having an adequate number of dental assistants at their practice. Additionally, about 28% of dentists have added staff at their practices in the current period.

Current staffing levels and hiring trends

The majority of dental practices appear to have sufficient assistant staffing to meet current operational needs. This suggests that many practices have successfully maintained or filled positions within their teams. However, the fact that 28% of dentists have recently added staff indicates ongoing hiring activity across the sector, with practices continuing to recruit and expand their teams to meet patient demand or address prior shortages.

What these numbers mean for practice planning

These statistics provide a baseline for dental practice managers evaluating their own staffing situations. Practices that fall below the 73% adequacy threshold may need to prioritize recruitment efforts. The data also reflects the broader dental employment landscape, showing both stability in current staffing and continued movement toward expansion in a significant minority of practices.