Job Outlook for Dentists through 2026

Overall employment of dentists is projected to grow 19 percent from 2023 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations.

Demand for dental services will increase as the population ages. Many members of the aging baby-boom generation will need dental work. Because those in each generation are more likely to keep their teeth than those in past generations, more dental care will be needed in the years to come. In addition, there will be increased demand for complicated dental work, including dental implants and bridges. The risk of oral cancer increases significantly with age, and complications can require both cosmetic and functional dental reconstruction.

Demand for dentists’ services will increase as studies continue to link oral health to overall health. They will need to provide care and instruction aimed at promoting good oral hygiene, rather than just providing treatments such as fillings.

Job Prospects

Job prospects for dentists are expected to be good. There are still areas of the country where patients need dental care but have little access to it. Job prospects will be especially good for dentists who are willing to work in these areas.

The job outlook for dentists is strong

People keep asking, what’s the dentist job outlook for dentists during this so-called downturn in the economy? Having grown up in a dentist’s household (my dad is still a practicing dentist) I know that regardless of the economic situation, people still needed to make emergency appointments regularly, every single week for as long as i can remember. Do people still need root canals during a recession? Do they still require critical dental care?

Although some areas of specialization may experience slowdowns such as cosmetic procedures or orthodontics, general dentistry won’t be swayed as strongly because regardless of economics, people still have teeth that require care.

There are several reasons for the strong dentist job forecast. First of all, there are more dentist opportunities than there are dentists to fill them. That’s good news for dentist. This means you can essentially choose the dentist job opportunity that makes the most sense for you.

The reason for the shortage of dentists is very similar to the shortage of nurses. There aren’t enough faculty jobs being filled and retained. There is a deficit of dentists every year in the United States; essentially more DDS’ are retiring than are graduating, coupled with a growing population. (Hence, my decision to focus my efforts on placing dentists.)

Dentist Job Interview Tips

On your next dentist job interview you want to make sure that you are prepared. Often dental grads make common mistakes that can knock them out of the interview process. Here are some things to do and not to do on your next dentist job interview:

1. Don’t tell the dentist that you want a working interview. Let them ask you if you’d like a working interview. You need to look at this from the perspective of the hiring dentist who has spent years building up their practice. They don’t know anything about you other than what your CV or resume says. They need to be confident in allowing you to work on their patient. Impress the dentist over the phone or in person, but allow them to offer you a working interview.

2. Prepare a portfolio of your work. Obviously respect the anonymity and privacy of your patients, but a perspective employer will be impressed if you can show the quality of your work (before and after photos, case histories, etc.).

3. Regardless of whether you are in private practice or work for a corporate dental chain, make sure that you are conveying VALUE to your next boss. How much did you produce ($$$)? Sure, you are highly trained, qualified and skilled, but at the end of the day, this is about operating a profitable small business. A dental practice wants to know that you are going to contribute as least as much and hopefully more to your next practice than you have for your current employer.

4. Quantify how your continuing education courses have not only helped your career progression but are in direct correlation to increased production and earnings.