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The dental industry is entering 2026 with a mix of optimism and pressure. Patient demand remains strong, practices are planning growth, and hiring activity is increasing. At the same time, workforce shortages and operational challenges continue to affect daily operations.
This creates a unique moment for dentistry. Practices are preparing for expansion while navigating one of the most complex labor markets in recent history. Staffing challenges, hiring plans, and technology investment are shaping the future of dental practices.
Understanding these trends helps practice owners prepare for the year ahead.
For several years, hiring has been one of the biggest challenges in dentistry. Practices struggled to fill positions, maintain schedules, and support patient demand. Many teams operated with fewer staff members than needed.
However, recent employment data shows slow improvement. The dental sector added jobs in 2025, with employment increasing by approximately 1.3 percent. This growth signals progress after years of hiring difficulty.
Even though improvement is gradual, it suggests that the workforce is beginning to stabilize.
This change does not mean hiring has become easy. Instead, it means the situation is shifting from crisis to cautious recovery.
While overall employment has increased, one role remains extremely difficult to fill: that of dental hygienists.
The shortage of hygienists continues to affect practices nationwide. A large percentage of dentists report actively searching for hygienists. Nearly all of them describe the hiring process as extremely challenging.
This ongoing shortage has become a structural issue rather than a short-term problem.
Several factors contribute to the shortage:
The demand for hygienists continues to exceed supply. Therefore, competition for candidates remains intense.
While hygienist hiring remains difficult, the situation for dental assistants shows signs of improvement. Practices still face hiring challenges. However, the level of difficulty has decreased slightly.
This shift suggests the job market for assistants is moving toward a new balance. Wage adjustments and improved working conditions may be encouraging more candidates to enter the field.
Although hiring is still challenging, the trend is moving in a positive direction.
Another noticeable trend involves working hours. Average weekly hours for dentists and staff have decreased slightly. This change reflects a shift in workplace priorities.
After years of intense workloads, many dental professionals are seeking a better work-life balance. Flexible schedules and reduced hours are becoming more common.
This change signals a healthier workplace environment. However, it also requires practices to improve efficiency and scheduling strategies.
Despite staffing challenges, many dentists plan to expand their teams. A large percentage of practices intend to hire additional staff in 2026.
This hiring activity reflects confidence in future growth. Practices would not increase payroll without expecting continued patient demand.
Hiring plans show optimism about the future of dentistry.
Technology investment is rising across the dental industry. Practices see technology as a way to improve efficiency, productivity, and patient experience.
Digital tools can help reduce administrative workload, improve scheduling, and support treatment planning. As a result, many practices plan to invest in new equipment and software.
Technology allows practices to increase production without dramatically increasing staffing levels.
Technology investment trends vary between private practices and dental service organizations (DSOs). DSOs tend to invest more aggressively in new technology.
This difference reflects strategy as well as resources. Larger organizations often use technology to improve efficiency across multiple locations.
Both strategies aim to support growth in different ways.
Another major trend involves insurance participation. Many dentists plan to reevaluate their insurance relationships in 2026.
A growing percentage of dentists intend to leave some insurance networks. Rising costs and flat reimbursements are driving this decision.
This shift could reshape the dental marketplace over the coming years.
Despite ongoing challenges, dentists remain optimistic. Hiring plans, technology investment, and strategic changes show confidence in long-term demand.
The industry is adapting rather than retreating. Practices are preparing for growth while addressing workforce challenges.
Dentistry in 2026 is defined by growth, hiring plans, and technology investment. Although workforce shortages continue, practices remain confident in patient demand. Strategic hiring and technology adoption will shape the next phase of dental practice growth.Prepare your practice for the future by investing in team growth, technology, and efficient workflows. Strong planning today helps ensure long-term stability and success in the evolving dental workforce landscape.
Listen to Episode 141 of The Dental Boardroom Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/141-2025-q4-state-of-dental-industry-ada-report/id1518344747?i=1000747239238
Wes knows what's best for dental practices. He's been doing this for a long time and he sees lots of practices. He can tell me how our practice is doing, and what we can do to increase our productivity. With past CPA's, there were no ideas. It was all coming from me, saying "I think I can do better, but I don't know how." I come in to meet with Wes and he says "You CAN do better, and I know how."
PracticeCFO is in hundreds of dental offices around the country. They know what numbers should look like. They know what percentages of payroll, rent and supplies should be, and they will hold you accountable to those numbers, which will really help you stick to your plan and your path of growth and savings. That is invaluable
Whenever something comes up, whether it's building or practice related and we weren't sure where the numbers would go, PracticeCFO has been instrumental in helping us figure that out. I can't say enough of how important that is - that it goes beyond that initial partnership. They make sure this business marriage works.
When I go home from work, I don't spend a whole lot of time stressing about what my books look like, or how much I owe in taxes. By using PracticeCFO, the burden of keeping track of a lot of the big financial numbers and metrics are taken off my plate.
PracticeCFO helped me develop a plan for the future. I have colleagues that work with other accountants that don't have a plan - they just look at the numbers of the practice and that's it. There's no plan for 10, 20 years from now. But with PracticeCFO, you get that. PracticeCFO makes you feel like you're they're only client.
(In reference to his practice sale) What could've been super stressful, wasn't! When picking John and Wes, it was from word of mouth recommendations and other people's experiences from the past that really did it for me. And it turns out that those recommendations were right on the line.
Wes knows the business side of dentistry. His comprehensive plan will organize your personal and professional finances so you can focus on taking care of patients. Massive ROI.
I can’t say enough good things about everyone at PracticeCFO. Everyone on the team is professional, organized, knowledgeable, helpful and kind. They also respond to emails and phone calls immediately and are always happy to help. They have helped me navigate year-to-year as a business owner. PracticeCFO gives me peace of mind that my business is in good hands.
I love Practice CFO! They have helped me obtain a practice and maintain a practice. They are incredible people who are on top of everything and make owning and running the business portion of a practice easy. They couldn’t be better for my business and my sanity. They have every detail of the business and taxes taken care of where all I have to do is show up and follow their easy steps to success!
Practice CFO has the best tools I’ve seen for personal tax and financial planning in addition to top-tier corporate tax and accounting services. I have been very pleased with the level of quality service. They manage my monthly bookkeeping and accounts payable. It is a great system and saves me a ton of time, and it allows us to have monthly financial statements within a week of month end.
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