Dental Industry Workforce Trends: What to Expect in 2025
The dental industry is changing fast, and if you work in dentistry (whether you're looking for work or trying to hire), you need to know what's coming. Here are the biggest trends we're seeing and what they mean for you.
Everyone Wants More Flexibility
This isn't just a nice-to-have anymore. It's the number one thing we hear from dental professionals:
"I want to work three days a week while my kids are young." "I'm close to retirement and want to scale back gradually." "I love being a hygienist, but I also want time for my side business."
Jessica, a dental hygienist in Colorado, recently told us she left her full-time job to work temporary shifts instead. Why? She could make the same money working four days instead of five, and she gets to try out different offices. "Some weeks I work in a pediatric practice, other weeks it's a busy general practice. I love the variety."
The 1099 vs W-2 Issue Is Everywhere
More dental professionals are learning about employee misclassification, and they're not happy about it. Here's what's happening:
A dental assistant in Florida calculated that working as a 1099 contractor was costing her about $8,000 per year in extra taxes and lost benefits. She switched to W-2 work and immediately got health insurance, paid time off, and worker's compensation coverage.
Practice owners are also starting to understand the risks. One dentist in Texas told us he switched to W-2 staffing after his accountant explained the potential penalties for misclassifying employees.
Technology Is Changing How People Find Work
Gone are the days of calling around to temp agencies and hoping someone answers. Dental professionals want to:
- See available shifts on their phones
- Read reviews of practices before they work there
- Get paid quickly and reliably
- Communicate directly with practice managers
Sarah, a dental assistant in Arizona, uses her phone to book shifts during her lunch break. "I can see which practices are looking for help, what they pay, and even read comments from other assistants who've worked there. It's like Uber, but for dental work."
Temporary Work Isn't Just for Emergencies Anymore
Smart practices are using temporary staff strategically:
Example 1: A practice in Ohio brings in an extra hygienist every Friday to extend their hours and see more patients. Result? 20% increase in hygiene revenue.
Example 2: A pediatric practice in California uses temporary front desk staff during back-to-school season when appointment volume spikes. No more overwhelmed permanent staff or missed calls.
Example 3: A practice owner in Nevada works temporary shifts at other practices on weekends. It gives him extra income and helps him stay current with new techniques and technology.
What This Means If You're Hiring
Stop thinking about temporary staff as a last resort. The best practices are using flexible staffing to:
- Cover busy periods without burning out permanent staff
- Try out potential permanent hires
- Offer extended hours without committing to full-time salaries
- Handle seasonal fluctuations in patient volume
What This Means If You're Looking for Work
You have more options than ever. Whether you want:
- Full-time work with benefits
- Part-time flexibility to balance other priorities
- The variety that comes with working different practices
- The security of W-2 employment with the flexibility of choosing your schedule
The key is finding platforms and practices that support what you actually want, not what worked for previous generations of dental professionals.
