Supply, Demand, and Recruiting Considerations in Dentistry
A Shortage of Dentists Like other types of healthcare professionals, dentists are in short supply in many areas of the country. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 19% job growth for dentists from 2016 to 2026, with demand driven by an aging population and the increased perceived importance of dental care to overall healthcare. The number of dental school graduates peaked at 5,750 in 1982, then declined for sixteen years and stayed flat at about 4,500 for almost a decade. The number of dental schools has increased in recent years and there are now 75 accredited dental schools in the U.S. that produce about 1,000 more graduates than in 1982.
However, the supply of dentists continues to be inhibited by exits from the field due in part to aging, as many dentists are reaching retirement age (see below)
DENTISTS BY AGE/U.S.
17.4% 34 or younger
25.5% 34 - 44
33.4% 45 - 54
15.8% 65 or older
18.9% 55 - 64
Source: American Dental Association
The COVID-19 pandemic caused many healthcare professionals to retire, including dentists, which also has had an inhibiting effect on the supply of dentists.
© AMN Healthcare 2024
AMNHealthcare.com | 5 AMNHealthcare.com | 5
Made with FlippingBook. PDF to flipbook with ease