In response to the access crisis, state policymakers, consumer advocates and oral health coalitions are pioneering innovations to extend the reach of the oral health care delivery system and improve oral health access. Among these innovations are medical-dental integration and the addition of dental therapists to the dental team.

ADHA policy supports oral health care workforce models that culminate in (ADHA Policy, 4S-09):
•   Graduation from an accredited institution
•   Professional licensure
•    Direct Access to patient care

Dental hygienists are formally educated and licensed by each state and are poised to help prevent oral health diseases. ADHA is committed to working on the development and implementation of new workforce models, nationally referred to as dental therapists.

  • The dental hygiene workforce is ready and available; there are currently 200,000+ licensed dental hygienists in the United States.
  • The educational infrastructure is developed; there are over 300 entry-level dental hygiene programs
  • The public will benefit from providers with a broad range of skill sets which include preventive and specific restorative services.

Learn more about Dental Therapy

LEARN MORE ABOUT DENTAL HYGIENE IN MEDICAL SETTINGS

Workforce Growth Initiatives, 2025 Report

This comprehensive report outlines ADHA’s multi-faceted approach to addressing dental hygiene workforce shortages through educational opportunities, collaborative partnerships, and recruitment programs. From the Hygienist Inspired chairside recruitment initiative and research findings on workforce demographics and compensation trends, to data from recent studies including GoTu’s 2025 State of Work Report and CODA enrollment statistics, this report covers challenges and progress in growing the dental hygiene profession.
ACCESS THE WORKFORCE GROWTH INITIATIVES REPORT

2022 Dental Workforce Shortages Report

This collaborative research between the ADA Health Policy Institute, ADHA, and partner organizations surveyed thousands of dental assistants, dental hygienists, and dentists to identify factors driving workforce shortages and retention challenges. The report reveals key insights on job satisfaction, compensation, benefits, and workplace culture, offering evidence-based recommendations for dental employers to improve recruitment and retention in an increasingly competitive labor market.
Access the Dental Workforce Shortages Report