Over the past several years, staffing has become one of the most talked-about challenges in dentistry. Many practice owners report that hiring and retaining team members—especially hygienists—has become significantly more difficult.
While this trend creates challenges for some practice owners, it can also create opportunities for dentists who are looking to buy a practice.
Understanding how staffing issues affect practice performance can help buyers identify opportunities that others may overlook.
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### Staffing Remains One of Dentistry’s Biggest Challenges
Across the country, dental practices continue to struggle with hiring.
Recent industry data shows that nearly one-third of dentists have been actively recruiting staff in the past several months, including dental hygienists and assistants.
Of those practices recruiting, the vast majority report that hygienists remain extremely difficult to hire, with many dentists describing the process as very or extremely challenging.
These staffing shortages can impact:
– Patient scheduling
– Hygiene production
– Overall practice capacity
In some cases, practices are simply unable to see as many patients as they otherwise could.
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### Staffing Issues Can Affect Practice Growth
When a practice is short a hygienist or assistant, it can limit the practice’s ability to grow.
For example:
– Hygiene schedules may not be fully booked
– Doctors may spend time performing procedures that a hygienist could handle
– Appointment availability may be reduced
These operational limitations can make a practice appear less productive than it actually could be under the right circumstances.
For a buyer, however, this often represents an opportunity rather than a problem.
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### The Value of a Strong Team
One of the most important factors buyers should evaluate when considering a practice purchase is the strength of the existing team.
Practices with experienced, long-term staff members often offer significant advantages, including:
– Smooth patient experiences
– Strong patient relationships
– Operational stability
– Easier transitions for new owners
These practices tend to be highly attractive to buyers because they provide continuity and support during the ownership transition.
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### When Staffing Issues May Present Opportunity
Not every practice will have a perfectly staffed team. In fact, some practices that come to market may currently be dealing with staffing shortages.
In certain situations, this can actually represent an opportunity for buyers.
If a practice has a strong patient base but has reduced production due to staffing limitations, a new owner who successfully recruits or restructures the team may be able to quickly increase production.
For example, adding an additional hygienist or improving scheduling efficiency could expand patient access and increase revenue.
The key is understanding whether the issue is temporary and fixable, or whether it reflects deeper operational challenges.
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### Evaluating the Team During the Buying Process
When evaluating a potential practice purchase, buyers should carefully review the team structure and staffing situation.
Some questions to consider include:
– How long have the current team members been with the practice?
– Are there any open positions currently being recruited?
– What are the hygiene schedules and capacity levels?
– What systems are in place for hiring and onboarding new staff?
A thoughtful evaluation of the team can provide valuable insight into the stability and future potential of the practice.
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### Final Thoughts
Staffing challenges are likely to remain part of the dental landscape for the foreseeable future. However, these challenges do not necessarily reduce the value of practice ownership.
In fact, buyers who understand how to build and support a strong dental team may find that they are uniquely positioned to take advantage of opportunities in today’s market.
A practice with the right foundation—patients, systems, and location—can often thrive under new leadership with the right team in place.