Revamp Your Hiring Strategy: The 2025 Dental Workforce Landscape

Spring is here, and with it comes a fresh hiring season for dental practices. As the industry evolves in response to shifting workforce trends, now is the time to assess your team’s needs, refine your recruitment strategy, and secure top talent.

The Growing Dental Workforce

Over the past decade, the number of licensed dentists in the U.S. has increased by 1.9%, averaging 60.8 dentists per 100,000 residents in 2023. However, this growth varies by region. States like Texas, Florida, and Arizona are seeing rapid expansion, while more established markets like New York and Pennsylvania remain steady but less dynamic.

A More Diverse Pipeline of Dentists

Today’s dental graduates are more diverse than ever—nearly half are women, and half identify as non-white. This changing demographic is reshaping the industry, as younger, diverse dentists increasingly gravitate toward collaborative models like Dental Service Organizations (DSOs), which offer financial stability, mentorship, and career growth. Practices must adapt by offering flexibility and fostering inclusive environments to attract this next generation of talent.

Staffing Challenges in Rural Areas

Approximately 10% of Americans live in regions with a severe shortage of dental providers, particularly in rural areas. Recruiting in these regions requires competitive compensation, work-life balance, and innovative solutions like teledentistry to expand access and attract skilled professionals.

Ongoing Staffing Shortages

Staffing shortages remain a pressing issue, especially for dental hygienists and assistants. High turnover rates, as highlighted in DentalPost’s 2025 Salary Survey Report, are disrupting team dynamics and patient care. Retaining skilled employees requires addressing the root causes of turnover, such as inadequate compensation, lack of career development, and workplace dissatisfaction.

What Dental Candidates Want in 2025

The competition for skilled professionals is fierce. Candidates today prioritize higher pay, better benefits, and positive work environments. They’re not just seeking jobs—they want meaningful careers in practices where they can thrive, grow, and make a difference.

The Case for Diversity in Hiring

While some industries are scaling back DEI initiatives, dental practices have a unique opportunity to stand out by prioritizing diversity. A diverse team reflects the patient community, improves communication, fosters cultural awareness, and drives innovation. These factors can lead to better patient outcomes and a more engaged, cohesive team.

Beyond Merit-Based Hiring

Merit-based hiring focuses on skills, qualifications, and performance, ensuring fairness and competency. However, it’s not the whole picture. Emotional intelligence, personality, and cultural fit are equally critical for building a strong, collaborative team. Personal biases can also skew hiring decisions, making it essential to use tools like DentalPost’s assessments to uncover deeper insights about candidates and ensure well-rounded decisions.

Fair Hiring Practices for 2025

To promote fairness and eliminate bias, dental practices should:

• Use consistent criteria to evaluate candidates.
• Remove identifying information from applications during initial reviews.
• Train hiring teams to recognize and mitigate biases.
• Involve diverse evaluators in the process for balanced perspectives.

Adapting to an Evolving Industry

The dental hiring landscape is rapidly changing, driven by workforce shifts, industry consolidation, and persistent shortages. To stay ahead, practices must embrace strategies that balance merit, diversity, and emotional intelligence. By refining processes, leveraging hiring tools, and creating positive workplace cultures, dental practices can attract and retain the top talent they need to thrive in 2025 and beyond.

Start making smarter hiring decisions today with DentalPost’s tools and resources. Don’t let the competition outpace you—adapt now to build the team your practice deserves.

Some DentalPost Resources for Building Strong, Dynamic Teams

• Labor Crisis: Dental Hiring & Recruiting in a Tight Market | DentalPost
• What Are Dental Candidates Looking For In A Job Ad? » DentalPost
• How to Get to Know a Candidate Before You Hire Them | DentalPost Blog