Becker’s Dental Review (12/3, Portalatin) reported that the dental industry is grappling with a persistent shortage of dental hygienists. A recent report highlights that 74% of dentists find recruiting hygienists “extremely challenging,” with less than half returning post-pandemic. Travis Franklin, CFO of Heartland Dental, noted a 15% reduction in dental assistants and hygienists, leading to wage inflation. John Bell, CFO of Fireside Dental Co., emphasized the need for innovative solutions, such as marketing campaigns and AI workflow tools, to address both supply and demand in the field.
Link: https://www.beckersdental.com/staffing-issues/dentistrys-hygienist-conundrum/