Nova Scotia is grappling with significant dental staff shortages — specifically hygienists and assistants — with more than 100 active job postings across the province.
The shortage is contributing to longer wait times, with some patients waiting up to five months for appointments, particularly in rural areas.
“I know people in rural Nova Scotia are waiting sometimes four or five months just to get an appointment. It is frustrating,” Dr. Caleb Porter, president of the Nova Scotia Dental Association, told Global News in a television interview on Tuesday. “When you can’t get a timely appointment, problems tend to exacerbate over time.”
Porter said demand for dental hygienists has surged following the COVID-19 pandemic, driven by an early exodus from the profession combined with an aging workforce nearing retirement.
Related: From scaler to spatula: Why dental hygienists aren’t quitting the profession—but the workplace
To help address the issue, the association is organizing a job fair this Saturday aimed at attracting new entrants to the profession and connecting existing dental staff with employers.
CTV News also reported about this issue.
Labour projections at a national level
At the national level, labour projections point to continued pressure. According to the federal government’s Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS), dental hygienists and dental therapists are expected to face a strong risk of shortage between 2024 and 2033.
In 2023, about 26 per cent of workers in the field were aged 50 and older, with the median retirement age estimated at 66.
Between 2024 and 2033, approximately 15,900 job openings are projected nationwide — an average of 1,590 annually — representing about 4.7 per cent of the 2023 workforce (33,900 workers).
Roughly 63 per cent of those openings are expected to come from job creation, significantly higher than the average across all occupations.
The recent rollout and expansion of the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is also expected to increase demand for services, as coverage expands to seniors, children and people with disabilities.
Related: N.B. Dental Society says staff shortages limiting impact of CDCP
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