One dental company executive described the dental industry as "awakened," while a dental hygienist called it "challenging" because of the staffing shortages facing dental practices.
Three professionals recently connected with Becker's to share one word to describe their outlook on the dental industry and why.
Editor's note: Responses were lightly edited for clarity and length.
Brant Herman. Founder and CEO of Mouthwatch: Awakened. The outlook for the dental industry is strong as its key stakeholders have become keenly aware and aligned with the changing expectations of today’s patients and the growing recognition of systemic health and its connection to oral health.
Missy Holmes. Dental hygienist at Douglas Dental Care (Douglasville, Ga.): The word I would use to describe the dental industry currently is challenging.
First, there are staffing shortages plaguing every area of the office: front desk, assistants and hygienists. Positions are being "filled," but not by the same work ethic or knowledge of years past. Just because you can answer a phone or take an X-ray doesn't mean you have knowledge of the dental field and that makes a huge difference to patients. There are currently many posts concerning the shortage and the reasons range from people who retired or left the industry due to burnout, bodily injuries and stagnant pay to a lack of respect for the hygienist.
Also, clinicians left the field due to occupational exposures during COVID. Dental hygienists were considered the most at-risk healthcare worker due to the aerosols [during] time of exposure even compared to dentists. Very few hygienists were ever paid hazard pay even though it was paid to almost every healthcare worker during COVID. Some employees weren't even paid for their time off when they were diagnosed with or had family members that exposed them to COVID and it was mandatory for them to stay out of work.
There is an overwhelming consensus that there is a lack of respect within this occupation, especially considering the amount of income a hygienist brings to the overall production of the practice. This also includes treatment that is planned and "sold to" the patient in the hygiene room that directly impacts the dentist's production. Hygienists were once considered co-therapists who worked along with the dentist but now are not treated as such.
There is a huge impact even with good ergonomics on the backs, necks and hands of hygienists as well as all back-office staff, especially those [who] are overworked (those seeing too many patients per day.) So many hygienists are leaving the profession in less than 10 years for less stressful occupations — not just mentally but physically.
The challenge is to find a way to compensate hygienists and all employees for what they truly bring to the practice, while respecting and treating them as professionals. Staffing the practice with knowledgeable and loyal employees builds the practice. By providing staff with the equipment as well as the time needed to practice as ergonomically as possible, we will see people continuing to stay within the field.
Evan Tetelman, DDS. Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine (Cleveland, Ohio): Exciting. We are embarking on a time of exceptional growth in the potential of dentistry. New ceramics and composites and refinement of existing materials are making esthetic dentistry readily available to all patients who seek this care. Furthermore, implant prosthetics are rapidly growing along with sources of implant education available to all practitioners who are willing to take the time to pursue excellence. Artificial intelligence is beginning to erupt on the scene which will add to the excitement of dentistry for both doctors and patients.