Dental assisting shortages in California, long evident before 2020, were significantly exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many practices have struggled to restaff dental assisting positions, with dental assistant job openings projected to grow 16.5% by 2026 in California, more than double the national rate. CDA is using a multipronged approach to support members and grow the DA workforce by offering practical resources, expanding training opportunities and advancing legislative advocacy to address systemic barriers.
Dental hygiene educational programs are currently the only pathway to RDH licensure in California, and there is a growing mismatch between supply and demand. In April 2023, 95% of dentists reported difficulty hiring RDHs. The extensive scope of practice for RDHs in California and unique regulatory factors under a separate Dental Hygiene Board create additional complexities such as portability for internationally trained dentists. The hygiene shortage has been driven by several factors: lack of affordable local training options, faculty shortages, limited educational program capacity, rigid licensure pathways, wage-to-reimbursement misalignment, and high turnover and burnout.
2025-08-23 00:55:00