How do we measure shortages of dental hygienists and dental assistants? Evidence from California: 1997-2005.
BACKGROUND
The authors examined the labor market for registered dental hygienists (RDHs) and dental assistants (DAs) in California from 1997 to 2005 to determine whether there was a shortage in either market.


METHODS
This analysis used economic indicators interpreted within an economic framework to investigate trends in labor force numbers and market-determined wages for RDHs and DAs. Rising inflation-adjusted mean wages indicated a labor shortage, while declining inflation-adjusted mean wages indicated a labor surplus.


RESULTS
From 1999 to 2002, the wages for RDHs increased 48 percent and then stabilized, indicating a shortage had occurred, after which the market achieved equilibrium. Wages for DAs increased 13.9 percent from 1997 to 2001, but then declined from 2001 to 2005, indicating a shortage that then became a surplus. The market for DAs may not have stabilized.


CONCLUSIONS
Wages increased for RDHs and DAs, suggesting that labor shortages occurred in both markets. The large supply response in the market for DAs resulted in wages declining after their initial rise.


CONCLUSIONS
Tracking the local labor markets for RDHs and DAs will enable dental professionals to respond more efficiently to market signals.
Brown
Timothy T
TT
Nicholas C. Petris Center on Health Care Markets and Consumer Welfare, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, 140 Earl Warren Hall, MC7360, Berkeley, CA 94720-7360, USA. tbpetris@berkeley.edu
Finlayson
Tracy L
TL
Scheffler
Richard M
RM
D002140:California; D003726:Dental Assistants / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D003752:Dental Health Services / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003756:Dental Hygienists / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D005102:Health Expenditures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007250:Inflation, Economic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012456:Salaries and Fringe Benefits / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009626:Terminology as Topic