The nation is experiencing a notable shortage of dental professionals, making it difficult for many people to schedule dental appointments. According to a 2022 study done by the ADA Health Policy Institute, the American Dental Assistants Association, the American Dental Hygienists Association, the Dental Assisting National Board, and IgniteDA, the decrease in enrollment for dental assisting programs began in 2015. There has since been a steady decrease in that number, which was only exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) found there to be a need for nearly 12,000 dental practitioners to address these staffing shortages in the U.S. 

This trend is being felt here in Western New York. Dental staffing in Erie County is at a concerning low, with roughly 8 dentists for every 10,000 people. The steady decrease in the number of dental hygienists in Erie County continues to be a prevalent issue as well, making it difficult for patients to schedule timely, routine visits with a local dental practice. 

Neighborhood Health Center is experiencing the effects of this shortage as well. We currently provide dental services at our Blasdell, Mattina, Riverway, and Northwest locations, but, with tightly packed schedules for the foreseeable future, there are challenges with fulfilling patient appointment requests. 

We thank you for being understanding of these challenges, and your patience is appreciated as we navigate this shortage. 

Read more here.