The report includes results from a survey conducted in June. The survey included responses from 4,255 dental assistants and 5,122 dental hygienists 18 or older.
Reasons for dental assistants voluntarily leaving the field:
1. Insufficient pay: 46 percent
2. Culture: 34.8 percent
3. Overworked: 34.8 percent
4. Lack of opportunity for growth and advancement: 33.3 percent
5. Inadequate benefits: 29.8 percent
6. Communication concerns in the practice: 25.8 percent
7. Family situation changed, wanted/needed more time at home: 20.7 percent
8. Career has not been satisfying: 18.2 percent
9. Planned to retire at this time in my career: 15.2 percent
10. Flexible work schedule needed: 11.6 percent
11. Practice philosophy: 10.6 percent
12. Safety concerns related to COVID-19: 8.6 percent
13. Patient attitudes: 5.6 percent
14. Pursued dental hygiene as a career: 0.5 percent
