The dental industry is facing a growing challenge: a nationwide shortage of dental hygienists. Recently, West Chester Family Dentistry (WCFD) was recently featured on Local 12 News as part of a report discussing the issue and potential solutions. Our very own Dr. Phuoc Tran and dental hygienist Michele Helmers shared valuable insights on the topic, bringing attention to concerns within the profession and the importance of maintaining high-quality care for patients.
What’s Causing the Dental Hygienist Shortage?
Across the country, dental offices are struggling to find and retain hygienists, making it harder for patients to schedule routine cleanings and preventive care. The shortage has sparked discussions about how to address the issue, with three key proposals being considered:
Adjusting Faculty-Student Ratios – The American Dental Association (ADA) is urging the Commission on Dental Accreditation to revise accreditation standards, making faculty-student ratios more flexible to allow more students to enter dental hygiene programs.
Licensing Internationally Trained Dentists as Hygienists – A proposal encourages states to allow dentists who completed their education outside the U.S. to obtain a license to practice dental hygiene, provided they meet state licensing board requirements.
Allowing Dental Students and Residents to Work as Hygienists – Another proposal suggests that active dental students who have completed all required hygiene competencies be permitted to practice dental hygiene under state licensure regulations.
Insights from West Chester Family Dentistry
At WCFD, the shortage is evident. Typically, the practice would have two hygienists for each of its three dentists, but currently, there are only five hygienists in total - 4 full-time and 1 half-time. This has led to longer wait times for cleanings and annual check-ups, sometimes stretching to six months or more.
Michele Helmers, a dental hygienist at WCFD, attributed the shortage to a combination of factors, including the pandemic and shifts in career choices.
"It was kind of the perfect storm of a lot of hygienists working part-time, the risk/benefit of coming back to work, and maybe finding a different profession outside of the dental field," Helmers explained.
She also raised concerns about the proposed ADA resolutions, stating that allowing foreign-trained dentists or current dental students to practice hygiene could lower the standards of care.
"Who knows what someone's training is outside of this country—if it's a non-accredited dental hygiene program? Even dentists in dental schools, I don't know how many semesters are spent on dental hygiene. So, it's a major education piece," she said.
Dr. Tran’s Perspective on the Shortage
Dr. Phuoc Tran, one of WCFD’s leading dentists, acknowledges the challenges posed by the shortage and has already begun adapting to manage patient care effectively.
"We'll do the exam, we’ll scale and clean the teeth, and we'll have auxiliary help (dental assistants) come in and help polish," Dr. Tran explained. He supports the ADA's resolutions as a potential solution to ease the burden on dental practices.
Despite the shortage, the issue does not appear to be related to pay, as graduates of two-year dental hygiene programs can earn between $60,000 and $100,000 annually right out of school. The Ohio Dental Hygiene Association has suggested that instead of lowering qualification standards, the ADA should focus on launching marketing campaigns to attract new recruits into the profession.