Rising staff costs have been a point of contention in dentistry since the pandemic, especially as inflation has impacted everyone in the past 18 months—from practice owners, to payrolled staff, to patients.
In a recent article on hygienists' compensation on sister publication RDH, we shared some of our recent data on what hygienists are making around the country, and we also asked readers if they’d gotten a raise this year. Nearly 1,000 readers responded.
Surprisingly, 50% reported not receiving a raise at all in 2023. Of those who did receive a raise, for most, it was modest, between .1% and 3%. However, surprisingly, 9% of readers reported that they’d received a 9% raise or greater.
Among respondents who did receive raises, only 14% moved to a new job to secure a higher income. Thirty-five percent received a raise at their current job.
Did you miss our recent podcasts on salaries and practice revenue? These two thoughtful conversations on the dynamics between dentists and hygienists are worth a listen by the whole team.
Dental hygienists: Friend or foe?
This thought-provoking and potentially blood-pressure-elevating conversation dives into the ongoing salary dilemma between dental practice owners and hygienists.
In this episode, Drs. David Rice and Pam Maragliano-Muniz sit down with Andrew Johnston and Misty Mattingly, two well-respected dental hygienists, to explore the controversial question: Are hygienists worth their weight in gold, or are wage demands becoming excessive?
Uncover the pressing issue of the dental hygiene shortage and the rising wage demands within the dental profession. Join us for a candid conversation that delves deep into the challenges and solutions surrounding this hot-button topic.
You pay your hygienist what?
Our expert guests share valuable insights, practical advice, and thought-provoking perspectives that will leave you thinking long after the episode ends. Tune in for a critical examination of the future of dental care.
The 2023 Dental Economics Fee and Staffing Survey
Interested in where these numbers came from?
Download the full data report from this year's survey on dental fees and dental staff salaries, including exclusive charts and data.
- Fee data by practice location (urban, suburban, and rural)
- Fee data by payment model (fee for service, PPO, and membership)
- Staff salaries by region
Amelia Williamson DeStefano, MA, is group editorial director of the Endeavor Business Media Dental Group, where she leads the publication of high-quality content that empowers oral-health professionals to advance patient well-being, succeed in business, and cultivate professional joy and fulfillment. She holds a master's in English Literature from the University of Tulsa and has worked in dental media since 2015.
