Why is there a shortage of Dental Hygienists in the USA?
America is facing a challenge: a shortage of Dental Hygienists in the USA. While this may not ring alarm bells, the shortage is so much more than a minor inconvenience; it’s a growing issue that is significantly impacting patient access to crucial preventative dental care.
So, what’s causing this shortage of Dental Hygienists in the USA, and can dental practices combat it?
Where are the Dental Hygienists?
According to a report by the American Dental Association (ADA), fewer than half of dental hygienists who left employment during the COVID-19 pandemic have returned, and that 40% of dental practices are struggling to fill vacant hygienist positions, significantly impacting their ability to serve patients effectively. In some states like Virginia, patients have been left waiting for up to 14 months for a routine appointment!
There are many reasons for the shortage of Dental Hygienists in the USA. First off, much like healthcare across the board, individuals are placing a higher priority on their dental hygiene than in previous generations due to the deeper understanding of the impacts of poor oral health. Secondly, the pandemic played a significant role in driving the current shortage, with many professionals stepping away from their duties because of stress, burnout, health worries, and a simple change in life balance priorities. Many just never returned after the pandemic. Thirdly, retaining talent has become a challenge, particularly in light of fair and equal compensation and the requirements for more flexible work options, which, because of economic downturns, many practices simply cannot offer.
The data paints a clear picture: practices are finding it increasingly challenging to fill hygienist positions.
The dilemma? Fewer dental hygienists lead to longer patient waiting times and place increased stress on existing staff already feeling the pressure of this new work environment.
This shortage isn’t just about scheduling; it’s about the health of communities. Preventative care, the cornerstone of dental hygienist work, is the key factor in avoiding more serious and much more costly dental issues down the line.
With estimates that it could take several years before the dental hygienist workforce stabilizes, what can dental practices do to address this shortage? One innovative approach is to embrace in-house dental membership plans.
How does a dental membership plan help
Integrating an in-house dental membership plan, like the one offered by Plan Forward, into your practice strategy can be an effective and budget-friendly way to move beyond the shortage of dental hygienists and create a stream of revenue that is significantly more stable.
With a dental membership plan, practices can confidently rely on a consistent and reliable income; stability, which allows for better compensation packages that can be offered to dental hygienists in a bid to entice them back into the workstream. Membership patients are also much more valuable to the practice, as they show up for their appointments, are open to accepting more care, and value the time spent in the dental chair.
Because membership plans also typically involve patients paying a monthly or annual fee for their preventative care at a discounted rate, this model stabilizes unpredictable fluctuations in income, helping the practice become less dependent on insurance reimbursements, which are often cited as inadequate and slow. This financial predictability means that practices can better plan and invest in more resources, including hiring additional staff to manage workloads, which goes a long way in preventing hygienist burnout.
In terms of patient satisfaction, membership plans can lead to higher patient retention rates. Regular visits driven by membership plans means a steady workflow. For dental hygienists, who more often than not prefer stable working hours and a consistent patient load, this becomes a much more attractive drawcard. Patients also benefit from the personalized care that a membership plan offers, making the entire workplace environment one that is much more conducive to hygienist satisfaction and retention.
With the steady flow of patients from the membership plan, practices can get a handle better-managing appointment schedules, which also ensures that hygienists have adequate time with each patient to do their jobs properly without stress, which lifts the load of being rushed and overworked. Greater job satisfaction is the key to reducing turnover and addressing one of the main challenges the current hygienist shortage highlights.
Leveraging a membership plan as a marketing tool enhances your practice profitability and allows your practice to have a patient-centered advantage. This marketing spotlights added value like cost savings and consistent, quality care, which has the power to create a cycle of new patients and, by extension, appeal to dental professionals who want to work in a thriving, dynamic, and patient-focused practice.
Implementing an in-house dental membership plan is a strategic response to the dental hygienist shortage. This strategy also has a host of benefits for the dental practice itself, essentially making it a win-win all around. The time is now to address the shortage of dental hygienists in the USA, and dental membership plans must be considered as part of the solution.
Contact us today to schedule a demo and see how Plan Forward is pioneering a dental membership plan platform that is obsessed with your success and driving a new era of practice efficiency for dental hygienists.
