Addressing modern dental staffing challenges

The challenges

• Demand for hygienists and assistants keeps growing. BLS projects 8% growth for dental hygienists and 7.4% for dental assistants from 2025 to 2035.
• Turnover leaves gaps in the schedule and costs time to replace people.
• Scheduling around patients, providers and part-time staff is complicated.
• Credentials vary by state, especially for dental assistants' expanded functions.

What helps

1. Pay fairly. Check local wage data: BLS publishes median pay for dental hygienists and assistants in every state.
2. Offer flexibility. Predictable schedules with room for life keep good people.
3. Build a bench of trusted fill-in professionals before you need them.
4. Make credential checks routine. Use your state dental board's license lookup for every new hygienist or assistant.
5. Invest in culture. Recognition, clear communication and room to grow matter as much as pay.

See SHIFTit for dental offices, or book a call with our team.