A newly released 2026 State of Work Report from GoTu Technology presents findings from nearly 8,000 dental hygienists, dental assistants, and associate dentists across all 50 states. Conducted in collaboration with the American Dental Hygienists' Association, the report offers a broad view of workforce conditions across practice types, including single-provider offices and multilocation groups.
Now in its third year, the study indicates that 82.8% of respondents intend to remain in dentistry for at least the next decade, underscoring continued professional commitment. At the same time, the data point to ongoing challenges within practice environments that may influence long-term retention and satisfaction.
Key findings from the report include:
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Compensation trends: For the third consecutive year, many respondents reported limited financial growth, with 59% indicating no raise, 74.7% no bonus, and 44.7% no access to benefits.
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Burnout prevalence: Overall, 54.1% of dental professionals reported experiencing burnout, with higher rates among hygienists (60.6%). Workload and workplace culture were cited as primary contributing factors.
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Retention patterns: A majority (64%) reported their longest tenure at a single practice as five years or less, with increased movement between offices observed.
"These findings show a workforce that is not walking away from dentistry – it is adapting to survive in it," said Edward Thomas, co-founder and co-CEO of GoTu. "The data is clear: when compensation, culture and autonomy do not improve, people adjust their behavior. Practices that respond to these signals now will be the ones that retain talent in the years ahead."
The report also documents shifts in employment strategies. Temporary or flexible work arrangements are increasingly being used intentionally to support income consistency and schedule control, rather than serving solely as interim solutions. Additionally, patterns of disengagement—rather than immediate departure—emerged as a potential early indicator of workplace strain.
"This report confirms what hygienists have been telling us; stalled compensation, high burnout, and limited clinical autonomy are undermining retention across the profession," said ADHA President Lancette VanGuilder, BS, RDH. "This data supports initiatives we're driving to strengthen the workforce and keep experienced hygienists in practice."
"Our goal is to give the industry a clear, unfiltered view of what dental professionals are experiencing," said Cary Gahm, co-founder and co-CEO of GoTu. "Nearly 8,000 voices are telling us the same story. They want workplaces that make staying sustainable. When we listen to them, the entire profession becomes stronger."
The report is organized into six focus areas: workforce demographics, compensation, burnout and well-being, temporary work, clinical autonomy, and broader industry challenges. Together, these domains provide a structured overview of the factors currently shaping the dental workforce.
The full report is available at https://sow.gotu.com/.
