Roughly one-third of dental practices are recruiting dental assistants and one-quarter are recruiting hygienists, according to the ADA Health Policy Institute's latest poll.
Four findings:
1. As of the week of Oct. 5, 99 percent of U.S. dental practices were open, with patient volume about 80 percent of pre-COVID-19 levels.
2. Dental staffing was at 93 percent of pre-pandemic levels.
3. Practices affiliated with dental service organizations and large groups are recruiting more than non-DSO and solo practices.
4. Among dentists hiring for any position, nearly 80 percent said it was extremely or very challenging to recruit hygienists, and about 70 percent said the same for assistants.