Staffing shortages have plagued the dental industry, creating an ongoing problem for dental practices and DSOs.
The continuing issue of workforce gaps has some in the industry, including Catrise Austin, DDS, owner of a practice in New York City, worried that continued staffing problems could lead to a decrease in the quality of care.
“I’m increasingly concerned about the current state of the workforce and employment,” Dr. Austin said. “The shortage of qualified dental assistants, hygienists and administrative staff has put pressure on practices, potentially impacting the quality of care patients receive. I’m deeply concerned that if we don’t address these issues proactively, we may see a decline in the quality of care and patient satisfaction across the industry.”
The recruitment of dental hygienists and dental assistants has been the most pressing staffing issue in dentistry, but it has not seen much improvement.
Source: Is dental staffing getting any better? / Becker’s Dental + DSO Review