Becker's Dental + DSO Review

5 BECKER'S DENTAL + DSO REVIEW // VOL. 2023 NO. 1 DENTAL PROFESSIONALS Why dental assistants are leaving the field By Riz Hatton F orty-six percent of dental assistants who voluntarily left the field did so because of insufficient pay, according to the American Dental Association's "Dental Workforce Shortages" report. 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 n Dental school debt vs. medical school debt: 4 stats to know By Ariana Portalatin T he average debt for a dental student was $292,169 in 2019 while medical students owed about $215,900 in 2018, the last year data was available. Here are four stats to know about the cost and debt associated with dental and medical school: Note: Data was taken from the American Dental Association, the Association of American Medical Colleges and the Education Data Initiative. Cost of education • The average cost of a four-year dental education was $205,019 for public schools and $335,536 for private schools in 2019-20, the last year data was available. • The average yearly cost of medical school for non- residents in 2019-20 was $61,620 for public schools and $60,305 for private schools. Student debt • Average dental student debt was $58,603 in 1980, adjusted for inflation, and $292,169 in 2019, the last year data was available. • Average medical student debt was $84,300 in 1988, adjusted for inflation, and $215,900 in 2018, the last year data was available. n Minnesota dentist buys property for $2.75M to relocate practice By Ariana Portalatin A Minnesota dentist will relocate his practice into a Rochester commercial complex purchased for $2.75 million, the Post Bulletin reported Dec. 12. Matt Penz, DDS, operates Penz Dental Care in Rochester. The practice needs to relocate into a larger space to accommodate its expanded staff, which includes three dentists. The practice currently operates out of a 2,000-square-foot office, but will move into a 3,500-square-foot spot on the east side of the complex by the summer. The new space is slated to include nine exam rooms, compared to four in the practice's current location. Dr. Penz also expects to expand his staff after relocating. Dr. Penz and his wife purchased the three-year-old complex, which is estimated to be worth $1.54 million, the news organization reported. Interventional Orthopedic Solutions will remain as a tenant, and there is 1,500 square feet available for a third tenant. Construction on the complex is expected to begin in February. n

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