The dental workforce in the US is facing a significant reduction in the number of dental hygienists and dental assistants. This decline, marked by a 10% decrease in practice capacity in 2022, is impacting the efficiency and quality of dental care services while presenting serious challenges to job satisfaction and the overall well-being of the oral health workforce.

This article evaluates job satisfaction among US dental hygienists and assistants and identifies workplace factors contributing to their job satisfaction or dissatisfaction.