Government and industry reports have highlighted the scale of workforce shortages:

• The British Dental Association (BDA) has reported that over 21% of dental posts remain unfilled in many regions¹.
• Over 5,500 roles (clinical and support staff combined) are missing from the dental workforce².
• In some areas, up to 96% of practices cannot accept new adult NHS patients – a proxy for deeper systemic issues³.

While these figures focus on NHS dentistry, they reflect a wider reality: the supply of qualified dental professionals is too low to meet patient demand, regardless of practice type. Private and mixed practices also feel these effects as they compete for the same limited talent pool.

What is Causing the Shortage of Dental Professionals?

Several interconnected issues are driving the shortage.

• Workforce attrition: Many dentists have left the profession early due to burnout, retirement, or disillusionment.
• Post-Brexit impacts: Reduced inflow of EU-qualified professionals has shrunk the talent pipeline.
• Geographic imbalance: Rural and costal areas struggle to attract clinicians, regardless of salary or practice type.
• Registration barriers: Overseas-qualified dentists face long, expensive registration processes with limited support.

Furthermore, Skilled Worker Visas were removed on the 22nd July 2025, meaning there will be no more dental nurses, hygienists, or technicians coming from abroad. Read more on this story to discover what this means for your dental practice.

The result? A workforce that is not only smaller than required, but also unevenly distributed across the country.

What Practice Can Do: Proactive Solutions

While NHS continues to evolve and the government begins to take steps to address the issue, practice practices can take steps for themselves.

• Rethink your offer: Flexible working, wellness programmes, relocation support, and clear career pathways can make roles more attractive.
• Invest in team development: Retaining your existing team through CPD, mentorship, and upskilling is often easier and more effective than recruiting new staff.
• Consider broader team models: Optimising the scope of therapists, hygienists, and dental nurses can help manage patient demand more effectively.
• Use specialist recruiters: Partnering with experienced dental recruitment services can help practices access a wider, vetted talent pool.

How Henry Schein Dental Recruitment Can Help

Henry Schein Dental Recruitment specialises in helping dental practices overcome staffing challenges. Whether you’re looking for an associate dentist, dental nurse, or practice manager, our team:

• Understands the regulatory and logistical barriers facing dental professionals.
• Connects practices with vetted candidates selected for their unique suitability to the advertised role.
• Offers an end-to-end service, from job advert creation to post-placement support.

At Henry Schein, we understand that recruitment is about more than just filling a vacancy. It’s about building a sustainable, motivated team that supports your business goals.

Dental workforce shortages are real, and they don’t just affect NHS practices. Private and mixed providers are feeling the pressure of too few clinicians and too many patients. But solutions do exist. By rethinking recruitment, investing in retention, and working with partners who understand the market, practices can take proactive steps to thrive, even in the toughest environments.