In the dental profession, there is evidence suggesting a significant imbalance between the number of recruiters and the pool of qualified applicants, especially for certain roles like, dental hygienists, expanded function dental assistants, and dedicated treatment coordinators. Several factors contribute to this trend:
1. Shortage of Dental Professionals:
- Dentists: The demand for dentists in many areas, particularly rural or underserved regions, often outpaces supply. Recent graduates may prefer urban areas or positions that offer specific benefits, leaving certain locations struggling to attract talent.
- Specialists: There's a pronounced shortage in specialties like orthodontics, oral surgery, and periodontics, making recruitment more challenging.
- Hygienists and Assistants: Many practices face difficulties in hiring dental hygienists and assistants, partly due to fewer graduates from training programs and high demand across the industry.
2. High Turnover and Burnout:
- The dental field has seen higher turnover rates, particularly post-pandemic, due to burnout and changing work-life priorities. This has led to an increased need for recruiters to fill vacated positions.
3. Increase in Recruiting Efforts:
- More practices are investing in recruitment, using third-party agencies, social media, and other platforms to attract candidates. This increased competition among recruiters can create the perception that there are more recruiters than applicants.
4. Complex Credentialing and Licensing:
- For many dental roles, the credentialing and licensing requirements limit the pool of eligible candidates. This is especially true for roles like dentists and hygienists, where state-specific licenses are required.
5. Desire for Work-Life Balance:
- Many dental professionals are looking for roles that offer better work-life balance, flexible hours, or opportunities for part-time work. This can make it challenging for practices that require full-time commitments to attract the right candidates.
Overall, while there may not be more recruiters than qualified applicants, the competitive nature of recruiting in the dental profession has made it challenging to find and secure talent. Practices and organizations are having to innovate and offer more attractive packages to stand out.
Comments
Post a Comment