What dentists should know about retaining dental assistants
Turnover remains a prominent issue in the dental assisting profession. According to the American Dental Association Health Policy Institute, 36.6% of private practices were actively recruiting dental assistants in the fourth quarter of 2024. That number is virtually unchanged from the December 2023 report (36.3%) and higher than it was in December 2022 (33.5%). Moreover, 70.4% of practices in the 2024 Q4 report say it’s “very” or “extremely” challenging to hire qualified dental assistants. Given these hiring difficulties, retaining qualified dental assistants is more important than ever for practices.
DANB’s 2024 Dental Assistants Salary and Satisfaction Survey revealed several key data points about dental assistants, what motivates them, and what prompts them to leave their positions. Here are some of the top takeaways that dentists, office managers, and other dental practice leaders can use to prevent high-performing, hard-working dental assistants from getting away.
New dental assistants are enthusiastic about the profession.
Dental assistants who are new to the profession are generally enthusiastic about their futures. Of dental assistants with less than two years of experience, nearly half (40%) said they want to stay in the field for more than five years. In particular, dental assistants find it rewarding to work in a healthcare field, care for patients, and be part of a team. Dentists can help nurture this passion and build a motivated dental assistant team by fostering a positive practice culture centered around strong communication and the highest-quality patient care.
Some dental assistants do not feel valued by their employers.
Dental assisting isn’t “just a job” to most in the profession. In fact, 70% view dental assisting as a career. However, only about half of dental assistants feel valued by their employers, which contributes to the high turnover many practices are experiencing. According to DANB’s survey, about one-quarter of dental assistants left their jobs in the previous year. Of those dental assistants, 40% said feeling underappreciated was a factor in their decision to leave. Simply hearing “thank you” from the dentist can go a long way for dental assistants, who work hard every day to provide the best patient care. In addition to their numerous duties in the office, dental assistants also show commitment to growth by pursuing continuing education and certifications outside of work hours. When dental assistants feel valued for this hard work, it improves their morale, productivity, and job satisfaction — making them more likely to stay with their practice in the long run.
Dental assistants desire better pay and career growth.
Part of feeling valued is knowing your employer is invested in you and your career success. Dental assistants who don’t feel this support may be more likely to leave their practices. Among dental assistants who changed jobs in the previous year, DANB’s survey showed nearly half did so for better pay, and 17% cited getting a better position at another office.
The report also found that higher pay would encourage a vast majority of dental assistants (85%) to stay in the profession longer. DANB’s Financial Impact of Dental Assistants on the Dental Practice report showed that providing a 15% raise to dental assistants can improve retention and offset the cost of potential turnover, such as hiring and delegating tasks from the vacant position.
Additionally, 43% of dental assistants said more career growth opportunities would encourage them to stay in the field. Dentists can encourage this — and elevate the entire practice — by supporting dental assistants to pursue expanded functions, continuing education, certifications, and other professional development opportunities.