The aftershocks of the global pandemic are still being keenly felt in dental practices, with a striking shortage of dental hygienists making the greatest impact. This scarcity, coupled with rising wage expectations, has created an unwelcome scenario for many dental practices, particularly those in high cost-of-living areas. Below we discuss what actions you can take to protect your practice in this challenging labor market.

Hygiene Labor Market: A Deeper Look

The question on many dentists’ minds is, “When will the supply of hygienists increase?” Regrettably, the answer may not be encouraging. The pandemic caused many hygiene schools to suspend operations or reduce their class sizes. Moreover, over 10% of hygienists left the profession permanently, creating a huge void in the hygiene labor pool. Increased hygiene demand and reduced labor supply combined to drive wages upward, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting a median hourly wage of $39.14 for hygienists. The 75th percentile reflects a median wage of