Issues with dental hygiene programs are exacerbating hiring challenges in the dental industry, according to a recent report from the Association of DSOs.
The number of dental school graduates between 2012 and 2022 increased by 28 percent, while the number of dental hygiene graduates decreased by 3%.
Issues with dental hygiene programs include the closure of multiple hygiene programs, stringent acceptance requirements and fewer seats available at existing programs.
The organization noted in its report that applications for dental hygiene programs increased to more than 43,000 in 2022. However, acceptance rates have declined to 25%, compared to 31% a decade earlier.