In response to the access crisis, state policymakers, consumer advocates, and oral health coalitions are pioneering innovations to expand oral health care delivery, including medical-dental integration and the addition of dental therapists to the dental team.

Workforce Growth Initiatives, April 2026 Report

This report outlines ADHA’s ongoing approach to addressing dental hygiene workforce shortages through educational opportunities, collaborative partnerships, and recruitment programs. It covers the Hygienist Inspired chairside recruitment initiative, GoTu’s Third Annual State of Work Report, CODA enrollment data, and research on workforce demographics, compensation trends, and the growing link between clinical autonomy and retention.
ACCESS THE WORKFORCE GROWTH INITIATIVES REPORT

Looking for a previous edition of the report? December 2025 | April 2025

Research Supporting Dental Hygiene Autonomy

This report summarizes nearly two dozen research and evidence-based articles supporting increased dental hygiene autonomy and its impact on access to care. The evidence shows that greater professional autonomy enables hygienist-led models to expand preventive services to children in schools, older adults in long-term care, individuals with disabilities, low-income families, veterans, and medically underserved communities. Empowering dental hygienists to practice at the top of their scope reduces untreated disease and builds a more effective oral health safety net.

ADHA provides model autonomy legislation for state membership organizations seeking to advance autonomy policy within their state. This model is available to state leaders within the Volunteer Resource Center. 

ACCESS THE AUTONOMY EVIDENCE REPORT

ALICE and the Dental Divide
New research from United For ALICE examines the oral health gap between households above and below the ALICE Threshold, those who are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, and Employed. The interactive national and state-level issue briefs explore disparities in frequency of care, tooth loss, cost of care, insurance coverage, and proximity to dental providers. Access the ALICE Dental Divide Issue Briefs »

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, licensed, and poised to help prevent oral health disease in every state. ADHA is committed to developing and implementing new workforce models, nationally referred to as dental therapists.

  • The dental hygiene workforce is ready: 200,000+ licensed dental hygienists practice across the United States.
  • The educational infrastructure is in place, with over 300 entry-level dental hygiene programs nationwide.
  • The public benefits from providers with broad skill sets spanning preventive and specific restorative services.

Learn more about Dental Therapy
Learn more about Dental Hygiene in Medical Settings

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