Resources for dental offices
Dental practices are facing a staffing shortage, making maintaining a full schedule and delivering exceptional patient care more challenging than ever. With the demand for skilled dental professionals rising, many offices struggle to attract and retain top talent. In this article, we’ll explore the key reasons behind this shortage and, more importantly, outline actionable strategies your practice can use to overcome these challenges and build a strong, reliable team for long-term success.
May 16, 2025
What are the Roots of the Dental Staffing Shortage?
The dental staffing shortage stems from several interconnected factors.
Pandemic impact: COVID-19 accelerated retirements and career changes, with around 8% of dental professionals leaving the field. Strict infection control measures and ongoing burnout have further fueled the decline. Additionally, disruptions to dental education during lockdowns delayed the entry of new professionals.
Educational and licensing barriers: High dental student debt (averaging over $250,000) discourages potential candidates. Limited training capacity and varying state-specific licensing requirements also hinder the entry of new professionals, particularly in high-need or rural areas.
Economic and demographic factors: An aging workforce, especially in rural regions, creates gaps that are hard to fill. Insurance challenges, such as low Medicaid reimbursement rates, discourage many dentists from accepting certain patients, while urban practices attract talent with higher pay and better networks, leaving rural areas underserved.
4 Strategic Solutions for Dental Practices
The dental staffing shortage demands fresh approaches to attract and keep talent. Smart strategies can address immediate needs while building a resilient future workforce.
1. Improving Recruitment and Retention
Effective practices go beyond compensation to attract and retain talent. Offer competitive salaries, student loan repayment programs, signing bonuses, and performance incentives. Invest in continuing education, cover CE costs, and provide clear career pathways for dental hygienists and assistants. Flexible scheduling, childcare support, and family leave policies promote work-life balance, a priority post-pandemic. Recognition programs, regular feedback, and stress-reduction initiatives foster loyalty and reduce turnover.
2. Leveraging Technology
Technology can ease staffing challenges and improve efficiency. AI tools handle scheduling and patient communications, reducing administrative burden. Digital patient management systems streamline records, billing, and more, allowing teams to focus on patient care. Teledentistry expands your reach and optimizes clinical time by conducting virtual consultations and follow-ups.
3. Expanding the Talent Pool
Address staffing shortages with creative solutions. Partner with dental schools for externships, lectures, and shadowing opportunities to create a sustainable talent pipeline. In-house training programs help develop entry-level staff into skilled professionals, fostering loyalty and filling immediate gaps.
4. Using Temporary Staffing Solutions
Digital staffing platforms, like Teero, connect practices with qualified dental professionals on demand. Temporary staffing helps maintain schedules, avoid cancellations, and evaluate potential permanent team members before hiring. Balance temporary staffing with long-term retention strategies for a stable workforce.
Long-Term Industry Initiatives
Addressing the dental staffing shortage requires industry-wide efforts from associations, schools, and policymakers to create systemic change.
Policy and Advocacy
Key policy changes can help resolve the staffing shortage:
Increased funding for dental education: More federal funding would expand program capacity and reduce financial barriers for students, helping grow the professional pipeline.
Loan forgiveness programs: Expanding loan repayment options, particularly for those working in underserved areas, makes dental careers more attractive and helps distribute the workforce more equitably.
Interstate licensure compact: Standardizing licensing across states would allow dental professionals to practice nationwide with fewer barriers, addressing regional shortages.
Medicaid reimbursement reform: Better reimbursement rates would make practicing in underserved areas financially viable, encouraging dentists to accept Medicaid patients and move to high-need regions.
Community Engagement
Building a future dental workforce requires active community involvement:
Career fairs and outreach: Engaging with high school and college students introduces them to dental careers and combats misconceptions, showing the field’s stability and potential.
Job shadowing and mentorship: Providing job shadowing opportunities and formal mentorship programs gives students real insight into dental careers, increasing the likelihood of them entering the field.
Community clinics and volunteering: Organizing free clinics or volunteering at local health events raises awareness about dental careers while providing needed services, enhancing your practice’s reputation.
Combat Dental Staffing Shortage with Teero
The dental staffing shortage is real, and it’s challenging offices everywhere. Understanding the root causes, from pandemic aftershocks to licensing barriers, gives you a head start. And by taking action now, you can build a stronger, more resilient team for the future.
Start by investing in your people. Offering better pay, flexible schedules, clear career growth, and a culture of appreciation will set you apart from other practices fighting for the same talent. Lean into technology to take pressure off your existing team and free them up for patient care. Build relationships with local schools, create training pipelines, and don’t overlook the power of temporary staffing to bridge the gaps when you need it most.
Most importantly, don’t wait until you’re overwhelmed to look for help. Staying ahead of staffing shortages requires a proactive, flexible approach.
And that's exactly where Teero can step in to support you. Whether you need a hygienist for a few days or longer-term help while you build your team, Teero connects you with skilled dental professionals ready to keep your office running smoothly.
We make it fast, easy, and stress-free to find the right people when you need them.
Ready to see how Teero can help your practice stay strong? Visit our website today and take the first step toward a more secure, better-staffed future.