Hiring Dental Staff in Rural Washington: Challenges and Solutions
Hiring top-quality dental staff is difficult in any market but when your practice is based in rural Washington, the challenges can be even more complex. From workforce shortages to limited talent pools, rural dental practices often struggle to find and keep qualified team members.
If you’re a rural dentist, DSO manager, or clinic administrator, you’re not alone. But with the right approach and strategic support, you can build a reliable, skilled team that meets your patients’ needs.
In this blog, we’ll break down the unique staffing hurdles in rural Washington and share actionable solutions with support from Dental Professionals, the region’s leading dental staffing partner.
Unique Challenges of Rural Dental Staffing in Washington State
1. Smaller Local Talent Pools
Most rural counties in Washington don’t have nearby dental hygiene or assistant training programs. That means fewer licensed professionals are available to hire locally—forcing rural practices to look outside their region or settle for underqualified staff.
Example:
Counties like Stevens, Ferry, and Okanogan report chronic dental staffing shortages, according to Washington’s Health Workforce Sentinel Network.
2. High Turnover and Burnout
Due to a limited number of team members, dental staff in rural practices often juggle multiple roles leading to stress, burnout, and eventual turnover. When one team member leaves, the entire practice may feel the impact.
3. Lack of Recruitment Resources
Unlike urban DSOs with dedicated HR teams, most rural practices handle staffing in-house often by the dentist or office manager. This slows down hiring and increases the chance of mismatches.
4. Difficulty Competing with Urban Perks
Urban areas like Seattle, Spokane, and Bellevue offer higher salaries, signing bonuses, and access to nightlife, professional growth, and public transit. Rural roles must compete with these perks without the same financial leverage.
5. Licensing and Credentialing Gaps
Out-of-state professionals willing to relocate to Washington may face delays due to licensing or credentialing requirements especially for dental hygienists and expanded function dental assistants.
Strategic Solutions for Rural Washington Dental Hiring
While the barriers are real, there are proven ways to build a reliable dental team—even in the most remote corners of the state. Here’s how:
1. Partner with a Regional Dental Staffing Expert
The #1 way to improve your hiring success is to work with a firm that knows rural Washington, understands the local workforce challenges, and already has a pre-screened network of licensed professionals.
At Dental Professionals, we’ve helped hundreds of rural practices across Washington fill roles quickly and cost-effectively—including:
- Dental Hygienists
- Dental Assistants (EFDA, RDA)
- Front Office Staff
- Temp-to-Perm Coverage
- Community Clinic Staffing
2. Offer Flexible Schedules and Work Models
Many professionals are open to rural positions—if the schedule works for them. Offering part-time, flexible shifts, or travel assignments can dramatically increase your applicant pool.
Flexible Models to Consider:
- Temp-to-perm roles (try before committing)
- Weekend-only positions
- Rotating or mobile team coverage
Explore your options on our Temp Dental Staffing page.
3. Create Relocation and Housing Incentives
A modest housing stipend or relocation bonus can be the deciding factor for a dental hygienist considering your role over one in the city. Even offering short-term housing during onboarding can reduce friction and increase commitment.
4. Emphasize Lifestyle Perks of Rural Living
Many professionals today—especially post-pandemic—are looking to escape urban stress and enjoy a slower, more meaningful lifestyle.
Use your job postings to highlight:
- Access to hiking, lakes, and national parks
- Affordable housing and cost of living
- Tight-knit community culture
- Low patient volume and better work-life balance
Want help crafting the perfect rural job ad? Let us do the heavy lifting: Contact our team for tailored hiring campaigns.
5. Utilize Temporary Staffing to Fill Immediate Gaps
If you’re facing an immediate shortage due to medical leave, maternity leave, or unexpected turnover, our temporary staffing services ensure you don’t have to close your doors—or turn patients away.
We place temporary professionals who are:
- Washington State licensed
- Ready to work in rural or remote areas
- Available on short notice
Rural vs. Urban Dental Staffing: Key Differences
Category | Rural Practices | Urban Practices |
Talent Pool Size | Smaller, fewer local graduates | Large, diverse pool of candidates |
Recruiting Speed | Slower due to geography and limited reach | Faster with access to hiring platforms and agencies |
Work-Life Balance Appeal | High (slower pace, lower cost of living) | Moderate (higher stress, higher cost of living) |
Compensation Flexibility | Often limited due to smaller budgets | Greater flexibility for higher salaries and bonuses |
Turnover Risk | Moderate to high if understaffed | High due to competition and burnout |
Onboarding Resources | Often minimal; managed in-house | Dedicated HR or office managers handle hiring |
Staff Role Flexibility | High (staff may wear multiple hats) | Specialized roles with clearly defined duties |
Additional Resources for Rural Dental Providers
- Washington Rural Health Association (WRHA) – Advocacy and workforce resources
- Rural Health Information Hub – Dental Shortage Areas
- Washington State Health Professional Loan Repayment – Attract talent with loan repayment incentives
Let’s Build Your Rural Dental Team—Together
At Dental Professionals, we believe rural communities deserve world-class dental care—and we’re here to help you deliver it. Whether you’re hiring your first assistant or expanding your clinic team, we provide the people, tools, and support to help you thrive.
✔️ Local expertise
✔️ Temp and permanent solutions
✔️ Fast placements across Washington
Get in touch today to create a custom hiring strategy for your rural practice.
