Nebraska faces a shortage of dental hygienists. What’s being done to fill the gap

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The American Dental Association is reporting a shortage of nearly 7,000 dental workers nationwide.

It’s being felt in Nebraska, too.

“Right now, it’s very hard for us to hire a new hygienist or new assistant if your assistant or hygienist moves away,” said Dr. Melanie Steckelberg, a Lincoln dentist and treasurer of the Nebraska Dental Association.

But she said Thursday that the problem isn’t only about that deficit.

“There’s actually more people demanding to come to the dentist than ever before,” she said.

The lack of hygienists and assistants, combined with the increased demand, means dentists have a busier workload.

That can cause delays in care.

Steckelberg said the average wait for a cleaning appointment at her office is seven months, and she said that’s typical of the area.

She said it will take time to combat this shortage, but the dental association has been working on solutions for many years.

One route was to expand what a hygienist can do, but that requires multiple levels of approval in Nebraska.

The Nebraska Dental Association began the process in 2007, and it passed the Legislature in 2017.

Within this expanded scope of responsibilities, hygienists can do more dental procedures and, as Steckelberg says, “climb the ladder.”

She says this is good opportunity for those new to the industry to aspire for more.

The dental association has also helped get a new dental hygiene program approved at Southeast Community College, which will be only the third of its kind in Nebraska.

Steckelberg suggests that those interested in the dental field look into STEM programs (science, technology, engineering and math).

“These are all things you use as a dental hygienist, dental assistance and also, for myself, as a dentist,” she said.