Breaking Down the Dentist Shortage Crisis

According to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the U.S. is facing a critical shortage of dental professionals, with over 10,000 additional dentists needed to meet national demand. This shortage disproportionately affects underserved populations and threatens to widen existing disparities in oral health access and outcomes.

Primary Drivers of the Shortage

Geographic disparities: Rural areas are significantly underserved. While 20% of the population lives in rural communities, only about 10% of dentists practice there. Most cluster in larger hubs, leaving smaller towns with little to no access to care. Beyond lifestyle preferences, contributing factors include limited access to specialty referrals, fewer professional development opportunities, and geographic isolation.

Economic and insurance barriers: Private practices tend to locate in higher-income regions, where patients are more likely to have private insurance or pay out-of-pocket. Fewer than 43% of dentists accept Medicaid or CHIP due to low reimbursement rates and administrative burdens, leaving millions of low-income individuals with limited care options. This also affects hygienists and associates working in underserved areas, where practice sustainability can be more challenging.

Education and workforce pipeline constraints: Although new dental schools are opening and enrollment is growing, the profession faces a delayed response. Dental students graduate with an average debt exceeding $300,000, making practice ownership in lower-income or rural areas financially unappealing. Public service loan forgiveness programs remain underutilized, and hygiene programs face similar constraints around affordability and capacity.

Aging workforce: Nearly 40% of dentists are 55 or older, with many approaching retirement, particularly those in solo and rural practices. A lack of transition planning and limited incentives for new dentists to take over these practices is contributing to growing service gaps. This also impacts mentorship and the supply of experienced educators in clinical programs.

What Are the Challenges Posed by the Dentist Shortage?

The ongoing shortage of dentists makes it increasingly difficult for patients to access timely and affordable dental care. This crisis is leading to longer wait times, rising treatment costs, and a decline in overall oral health, particularly in underserved areas.

1. Reduced Access and Oral Health Disparities

While the number of dentists grew by about 9.7% between 2008 and 2015, rural areas saw no growth after 2015. Private practice dentists gravitate toward wealthy urban areas, leaving rural residents stranded.

The CDC defines health disparities as "preventable differences that populations experience in the burden of disease, injury, violence, or opportunities. When people have limited access to resources they need to be healthy, they are more likely to experience health issues.

Rural residents typically experience fewer dental visits overall, less frequent cleanings, higher rates of permanent tooth extractions, lack of preventive care from non-fluoridated water supplies, and increased risk factors due to higher tobacco use.

2. Economic and Social Implications

The dental shortage carries serious financial and societal consequences. Dental-related emergency room visits cost millions of dollars each year, yet public programs cover only about half of these expenses. A study found that individuals who invested in preventive dental care incurred 43% fewer costs than those who did not, highlighting both the economic efficiency and health value of early intervention.

Exploring dental payment programs can provide alternative pathways to access care for patients facing financial barriers. However, affordability remains a persistent challenge.

The impact of poor oral health extends beyond the healthcare system. Untreated dental issues can harm a person's self-esteem, limiting their employment prospects and professional confidence. This creates a vicious cycle: individuals most in need of care often face the greatest barriers to employment, deepening economic disparities and increasing reliance on public assistance.

On the provider side, workforce shortages strain existing dental teams. Dentists, hygienists, and support staff are often expected to manage heavier caseloads, contributing to burnout and reduced job satisfaction. This further exacerbates the retention problem within the profession.

3 Solutions to Mitigate the Dentist Shortage

Addressing the national dental shortage requires coordinated, forward-thinking strategies that expand the workforce, optimize clinical roles, and modernize care delivery. While no single solution will close the gap overnight, several approaches offer a path toward a more resilient and equitable oral healthcare system.

1. Expansion Of the Dental Workforce

Growing the dental workforce starts with increasing enrollment in dental and hygiene programs, creating pathways for underrepresented students, and offering incentives like scholarships, tuition reimbursement, and loan forgiveness for those serving in high-need areas.

The hygiene pipeline is just as necessary. Hygienists are essential to preventive care and early intervention, and the dental hygienist shortage contributes to patient backlog and provider burnout. Improving compensation, work flexibility, and visibility into career progression can make the profession more attractive.

Regulatory updates, such as license portability for dental hygienists, could help redistribute talent across underserved regions. In Colorado, the Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation has committed $5 million to expand hygiene programs in community colleges, focusing on recruiting diverse students who reflect the communities they’ll serve.

To amplify these efforts, states can explore broader system-level reforms, such as leveraging dental therapists, expanding the scope of hygienists in public health settings, and integrating oral health more closely with primary care.

2. Incorporating Technology

Tech innovation extends the reach of existing dental professionals. For example, teledentistry connects patients in remote locations with providers, allowing consultations without requiring physical presence.

Teledentistry mainly helps Medicaid patients in underserved regions overcome geographic barriers. When combined with community prevention programs and mobile clinics, these tech solutions create more flexible, accessible dental care systems serving populations typically left behind.

Technology permits hybrid models combining occasional in-person care with ongoing virtual support in areas with persistent workforce shortages where permanent clinics aren't viable.

In addition, incorporating advanced technologies, such as using AI in dental practice management and AI in dental diagnosis, can improve workflows and patient care.

3. Elevation of the Dental Hygienists' Role

The most transformative approach involves expanding the practice scope for dental hygienists and creating mid-level providers delivering care under dentist's supervision. Several states lead the way:

• Alaska's Community Health Aide Program created four types of non-dentist oral health providers, each with specific training to extend dental care's reach.

• The Oregon Dental Pilot Program trained experienced dental hygienists with restorative endorsements as dental therapists. This successful program led to House Bill 2528 in 2021, which formalized dental therapists as licensed professionals.

When considering role expansions within dental practices, it's important to understand the differences between dental assistants and hygienists. Offering dental hygienist career growth opportunities encourages more professionals to enter and stay in the field.

Allowing all dental professionals to practice at the top of their license helps states maximize their workforce while creating pathways for new providers.

Role of Dental Offices in Addressing the Dentist Shortage

While systemic change is critical, individual dental practices can make a meaningful impact by optimizing staff roles, streamlining operations, and embracing flexible staffing models to maintain high-quality care despite shortages.

Properly Using Staff

Practices can alleviate pressure by confirming every team member operates at the top of their licensure. Many hygienists and assistants remain underutilized due to outdated protocols or limited awareness of evolving state regulations. Staying current with scope-of-practice laws allows practices to implement expanded functions where permitted.

In several states, trained hygienists can administer local anesthesia and perform certain restorative procedures. Leveraging these capabilities helps distribute clinical responsibilities and improves patient flow.

Innovative staffing platforms and dental-specific temp networks can also help fill staffing gaps faster than traditional job boards, offering flexibility and efficiency in hiring.

Embracing Portable and Mobile Dentistry (PMD)

Mobile dentistry offers a valuable way to expand access while improving practice productivity. Delivering care at schools, employers, or community centers helps reduce no-shows and fill last-minute cancellations. It also provides flexible work opportunities for professionals seeking non-traditional settings.

Flexible Compensation and Scheduling

To attract and retain talent, practices should consider performance-based incentives, part-time roles, and nontraditional schedules. These options appeal to clinicians seeking more balance and can improve morale, reduce burnout, and increase retention in a competitive hiring landscape.

Dental practices can navigate workforce shortages by rethinking staffing strategies and fully utilizing their teams.

To stay productive amid staffing challenges, dental practices can turn to smart, targeted efficiencies that improve both clinical workflows and patient outcomes. From technology integration to team development, even small shifts can yield significant gains.

Using Digital Tools

Adopting technologies like intraoral scanners can improve accuracy and reduce the need for repeat appointments. Digital impressions save time and minimize discomfort, helping move patients through the chair more quickly.

Similarly, 3D printing is transforming restorative dentistry. By producing in-house crowns, bridges, and custom appliances, practices can reduce lab turnaround times and cut costs, allowing teams to serve more patients without increasing staff load. Sometimes, same-day restorations are feasible, improving case acceptance and patient satisfaction.

Partner with Educational Programs to Build Talent Pipelines 

Collaborating with dental education programs is another forward-looking strategy. The Ohio Primary Care Workforce Initiative, highlighted by the National Association of Community Health Centers, is one example of how practices can host student interns while contributing to long-term workforce development. Interns gain hands-on experience, and practices benefit from additional support and a potential pipeline of future hires already familiar with their systems and culture.

Addressing the Dental Shortage with Innovation

The dentist shortage is a complex issue, but some solutions can help minimize this problem. By expanding the dental workforce, embracing technology, and optimizing the roles of dental professionals, the industry can create more accessible care models. Individual practices also play a role, whether improving workflows, adding mobile dentistry, or adopting flexible staffing strategies.

One option for dental offices struggling with staffing challenges is tapping into flexible workforce solutions. Teero makes it easy to connect with qualified dental professionals, so practices can continue providing high-quality care, even in the face of workforce shortages. Learn more about how Teero can help your practice stay fully staffed.