Why You Can’t Find a Hygienist (And What to Do)

I read this on Reddit the other day, posted by a dental professional.

If you’re a dentist or practice owner, this probably hit a nerve. The hygienist shortage is reshaping the economics of dentistry. Hygienists are commanding higher pay, working fewer hours, and increasingly dictating terms that many small to mid-sized practices can’t afford.

If you’re a dentist struggling to recruit or retain hygienists, you’re not alone. This guide will walk you through why the shortage exists, how it impacts your practice, and what practical steps you can take to overcome it.

The Scope of the Dental Hygienist Shortage

According to the American Dental Association, nearly 1 in 3 dental practices are struggling to fill hygienist positions, and the demand continues to outpace the supply. 

Post-pandemic retirements, burnout, and a shift toward part-time preferences have reduced the available workforce just as demand for dental care rebounds. 

Unfortunately, this shortage isn’t temporary. With hygiene school enrollment capped by faculty shortages and limited clinical seats, supply will remain tight for the foreseeable future.

The Financial Squeeze for Dentists

Many hygienists are now earning $50–$60+ per hour, with some requesting $70+ after just a few years of experience. Meanwhile, reimbursements haven’t kept pace. Dentists are left trying to maintain quality care, patient throughput, and staff satisfaction on margins that feel increasingly unsustainable.

Unlike large DSOs or insurance companies, most private practices can’t absorb endless cost increases. When you’re short-staffed on hygiene, you lose out on:

• Production tied to hygiene appointments
• Patient education and treatment conversions
• Preventive care that fuels long-term revenue

How Can Dental Practices Respond to the Hygienist Shortage, Realistically? 

While you can’t fix the entire labor market, you can take strategic steps to protect your practice. Here’s how:

Reimagine Hygiene ROI

Instead of viewing hygiene as a cost center, shift your focus to its value-generation potential. Train hygienists (and incentivize them) to:

• Review pending treatment before each appointment
• Talk with patients about the “why” behind care recommendations
• Document clinical findings clearly for the doctor

Even one extra accepted crown per day can offset higher payroll costs.

Offer Competitive—But Sustainable—Compensation

You don’t have to win every bidding war, but you do need to stay competitive. Research your local market using tools like Indeed Salaries or dental-specific staffing platforms.

If you can’t offer the highest hourly rate, highlight other benefits:

• Consistent hours
• A positive work culture
• CE support
• Wellness or mental health benefits
• Flexible time-off policies

Remember, transparency + flexibility can often win out over raw pay.

Cross-Train Your Team

In states where regulations allow, use Expanded Function Dental Assistants (EFDAs) or train front-office staff to handle reactivation calls, fluoride applications, or charting support. Freeing up even 10–15 minutes per hygiene visit can increase capacity without hiring more people.

How Outsourced Billing Helps You Regain Control

When your clinical team is overwhelmed or understaffed, the last thing you need is a front desk buried in unpaid claims, billing errors, or patient A/R. That’s where working with a trusted RCM partner makes all the difference.

Here’s how outsourcing your dental billing helps offset the impact of the hygiene shortage:

1. Faster Payments, Less Revenue Leakage

Denied claims, missed claim deadlines, and uncollected balances can bleed thousands from your practice every month. A professional billing partner like Zeroed-In Dental Solutions ensures claims go out clean, fast, and with the correct documentation, so you get paid on time.

2. Lower Overhead Without Hiring More Staff

Instead of hiring an in-house billing specialist (or having your office manager do double duty), outsourcing gives you access to a full team of billing experts for a fraction of the cost. That saves on payroll, benefits, and training, while freeing your staff to focus on patient care and scheduling.

3. More Time for Patient-Facing Tasks

With your admin team freed from chasing claims, they can focus on critical tasks like reactivation calls, hygiene reschedules, and treatment plan follow-ups. That means more filled chairs, even with limited clinical staff.

Why Dentists Choose Zeroed-In Dental Solutions

Founded by RCM expert Linda Kane, Zeroed-In Dental Solutions is trusted by dentists across Idaho and beyond. Linda and her team specialize in helping practices recoup payments faster, reduce claim rejections, and eliminate backlogged A/R – all while working seamlessly with all the major dental software systems.

Whether you’re dealing with hygienist burnout, missed production goals, or rising overhead, Zeroed-In helps balance the equation by getting more revenue through the door with fewer headaches.

Final Thoughts: Control What You Can

The dental hygienist shortage isn’t going away overnight. But smart practices are already adapting. They’re optimizing workflows, focusing on retention, and outsourcing what can be done better, faster, and cheaper elsewhere.

If your hygiene schedule is maxed out and your revenue is still falling short, the answer may not be hiring more, it might be billing better.

Want to stabilize your revenue and take the pressure off your team? Chat with Linda at Zeroed-In Dental Solutions today and find out how outsourcing your billing can give you back control.