San Diego, CA — Patients in the U.S. may be waiting longer for dental check-ups due to a growing shortage of dental assistants, a trend confirmed in a recent report by the American Dental Association Health Policy Institute.
The Third Quarter 2025 report revealed that over one-third of dental practices have actively recruited assistants in the past three months. Among them, 40% described recruitment as “extremely challenging,” and 42.7% have had positions vacant for more than three months.
To address the staffing gap, the San Diego County Dental Society has launched an innovative training initiative through its Academy of Learning. The program offers low- and no-cost training and certification to attract individuals previously hindered by financial barriers.
Phennapha Rozelle of Carmel Valley, one of the first 10 participants, said, “I worked in the restaurant industry for 10 years. This is my new chapter in the dental field, and I’m excited for my future.”
Angela Landsberg, executive director of the San Diego County Dental Society, emphasized the program’s dual mission: “We aim to strengthen the regional workforce while diversifying the field, giving people from all economic backgrounds opportunities in the rewarding field of dentistry.”
The 15-week curriculum includes radiation safety certification, coronal polishing, pit and fissure sealant training, and infection control, overseen by Dr. Joanne Young.
The program is funded by the San Diego County Dental Society with support from the California Dental Association and County Supervisor Joel Anderson.
The pilot program began in August 2025 at the Golden Hill location and will graduate its first cohort of 10 students on Dec. 13, 2025. Dr. Young said, “The program has shown promising results.
Graduates will be ready to excel in dental offices in the new year. Other dental societies are watching closely, and we hope our model can be replicated statewide.”
Applications are now open for the February 2026 cohort, which will accept 20 students with a high school diploma or GED.
