Solving Staffing Shortages, Expanding Access, and Redefining the Dental Workforce
Dental practices across America face an unprecedented challenge: maintaining quality patient care while navigating persistent staffing shortages. The solution emerging from this crisis isn't found in traditional hiring models—it's in the strategic deployment of locum tenens dentists.
These temporary dental professionals are revolutionizing how practices, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), and Dental Support Organizations (DSOs) approach workforce management. Far from being a stopgap measure, locum tenens dentistry represents a fundamental shift toward flexible, responsive healthcare delivery that benefits practices, providers, and patients alike.
The numbers tell a compelling story. Where AMN Healthcare received virtually no requests for locum tenens dentists before 2005, by 2019, dentists represented 6% of all temporary staffing requests. Despite the pandemic's temporary disruption, 2021 saw a 50% increase in demand compared to the previous year, signaling not just recovery but accelerated adoption of this staffing model.
Addressing Critical Dental Staffing Shortages
The United States faces a projected shortage of 15,600 dentists by 2025, according to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). This isn't a distant problem—it's happening now across all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
California leads with a projected deficit of 1,234 dentists, followed by Florida with 1,152 too few, and New York with a shortage of 1,024. These numbers represent real gaps in patient care, delayed treatments, and overwhelmed existing providers.
Locum tenens dentists step directly into these gaps, providing immediate relief when permanent staff face illness, maternity leave, military deployment, or unexpected departures. Rather than turning patients away or dramatically extending wait times, practices can maintain continuity of care and preserve patient relationships.
The COVID-19 pandemic amplified these challenges. Dental practices experienced particularly severe disruptions, with general practice dentist income declining 17.9% from 2019 to 2020, dropping from $207,234 to $170,164. Many practices furloughed staff or temporarily closed, creating staffing disruptions that persist today.
As practices rebuild, they're discovering that 66% find recruiting dental hygienists "extremely challenging," while 59% report the same difficulty finding dental assistants. Many practices delay recruiting dentists until they secure necessary support staff, creating additional demand for temporary solutions.
Expanding Access to Dental Care
Geographic maldistribution compounds the dentist shortage problem. Rural and inner-city communities have historically struggled to attract permanent dental providers, leaving millions of Americans without adequate access to care.
HRSA identifies 6,486 dental care health professional shortage areas (HPSAs) across the United States and its territories. These areas serve nearly 60 million people, with only 29.28% of their dental care needs currently met. Two-thirds of these shortage areas are in rural communities.
Locum tenens dentists are uniquely positioned to serve these underserved populations. Their mobility and flexibility allow them to work in areas where permanent recruitment proves challenging. FQHCs, which provide care to over 6.8 million dental patients annually, increasingly rely on locum tenens dentists to maintain services while seeking permanent providers.
This model proves particularly valuable for specialty care. Many rural practices rotate locum tenens specialists—endodontists, periodontists, oral surgeons—through their facilities monthly or as needed, providing services that would otherwise require patient referrals to distant urban centers.
The impact extends beyond rural areas. Urban practices in underserved neighborhoods benefit similarly, using locum tenens dentists to maintain services in communities where permanent recruitment faces significant challenges.
Redefining the Dental Workforce
For dental professionals, locum tenens work offers unprecedented career flexibility and professional growth opportunities. Unlike traditional employment models that tie dentists to single locations and practice styles, locum tenens allows providers to choose when, where, and how they work.
This flexibility appeals particularly to newer graduates exploring different practice settings and specialties before committing to permanent positions. It also attracts seasoned professionals seeking better work-life balance or those transitioning between career phases.
The demographic shift in dentistry supports this trend. Female dentists now comprise 51.4% of graduating dental students, compared to just 4.6% in 1976. This growing population often seeks flexible arrangements that accommodate family responsibilities and personal priorities.
Locum tenens assignments provide valuable exposure to diverse practice environments—from solo private practices to large DSOs, from urban specialty centers to rural community health centers. This experience broadens clinical skills and professional networks while allowing dentists to test different practice models before making long-term commitments.
The temp-to-perm model further enhances this value proposition. Practices can evaluate temporary dentists' work before offering permanent positions, while dentists can assess practice culture and patient population fit. This reduces hiring risks for both parties and often leads to stronger, more sustainable employment relationships.
Challenges and Considerations
Successfully integrating locum tenens dentists requires careful planning and clear communication. Credentialing represents the most significant administrative challenge, as temporary providers typically need separate Medicaid and insurance provider numbers. This process can take four weeks to three months, though practices can often back-bill for services once numbers are obtained.
Patient communication proves equally important. Practices must inform patients about temporary provider arrangements while maintaining confidence in care quality. Successful practices present locum tenens dentists as hand-picked professionals chosen specifically by their regular dentist, emphasizing continuity rather than disruption.
Integration protocols should address clinical standards, procedure expectations, and scheduling requirements. Pre-assignment conferences between the temporary dentist, practice representatives, and staffing agency coordinators help ensure alignment on capabilities and expectations.
Billing considerations vary by arrangement. Some practices use per diem models, paying daily rates typically in the hundreds of dollars. Others employ production-based models, paying staffing agencies percentages of revenue generated above agreed baselines.
The Future of Locum Tenens in Dentistry
Multiple trends suggest continued growth in locum tenens dentistry. The persistent shortage of dental providers, combined with increasing demand driven by an aging population and expanded insurance coverage, creates sustained need for flexible staffing solutions.
Technological advances support this growth. Improved practice management systems, electronic health records, and telehealth capabilities reduce integration barriers for temporary providers. Cloud-based systems allow locum tenens dentists to access patient information and treatment protocols more seamlessly.
The consolidation trend in dentistry also drives demand. DSOs managing hundreds of locations require flexible staffing models to support rapid expansion and maintain service levels across diverse markets. These corporate entities have resources and operational sophistication to integrate locum tenens strategies effectively.
Changing workforce expectations, particularly among younger professionals, favor flexible employment models. As more dentists prioritize work-life balance and career variety, locum tenens positions become increasingly attractive alternatives to traditional employment.
The Future of Flexible Dental Workforce Solutions
Multiple converging trends suggest continued growth in locum tenens dentistry adoption. The persistent shortage of dental providers, combined with increasing demand driven by an aging population and expanded insurance coverage, creates sustained need for flexible staffing solutions that can adapt quickly to changing market conditions.
Technological advances support this growth trajectory significantly. Improved practice management systems, electronic health records, and telehealth capabilities reduce integration barriers for temporary providers. Cloud-based systems allow locum tenens dentists to access patient information and treatment protocols more seamlessly, minimizing learning curves and maximizing productivity from day one.
The consolidation trend in dentistry also drives demand for flexible staffing models. DSOs managing hundreds of locations require adaptable workforce strategies to support rapid expansion and maintain service levels across diverse markets.
These corporate entities have resources and operational sophistication to integrate locum tenens strategies effectively into their broader business models.
Conquering Staffing Challenges Through Strategic Innovation
The rise of locum tenens dentistry represents more than a staffing trend—it's a strategic response to fundamental changes in healthcare delivery, workforce expectations, and patient needs. Practices that embrace this model gain competitive advantages in maintaining service levels, exploring new markets, and attracting quality providers who value flexibility and professional growth opportunities.
For dental professionals, locum tenens offers a pathway to career fulfillment that balances professional excellence with personal priorities. The model provides exposure to diverse clinical environments, networking opportunities, and the flexibility to create customized career trajectories that align with individual goals and life circumstances.
The transformation from complicated staffing challenges to conquered workforce solutions requires embracing innovative approaches that serve all stakeholders effectively. Locum tenens dentistry delivers measurable benefits: maintained patient care during transitions, expanded access to underserved communities, and enhanced career opportunities for dental professionals seeking flexibility and growth.
Ready to explore how locum tenens dentistry can transform your workforce strategy? Download your free copy of the white paper for comprehensive insights, detailed case studies, and actionable implementation guidance that will help your organization navigate the evolving landscape of dental workforce management with confidence and strategic clarity.
