Free HR calculator
Hygienist Vacancy Cost Calculator
An open hygienist position can affect appointments, production, and recall visits. Estimate the annual cost and see what faster hiring or better retention could save.
About this calculator
Research note: What dental practice turnover costs Note reviewed:
What to expect Have your hygienist headcount, annual turnover rate, average hiring time, and pay ready. About two minutes.
Your hygiene team
Adjust assumptions
Estimated annual vacancy cost
Check against actual production
Email your results
Send yourself a copy of your calculation and inputs.
How an open position affects annual cost
What a hygienist vacancy can cost
An open hygienist position can affect production, recall visits, and doctor exams. Use the estimate to compare faster hiring, better retention, or temporary coverage.
Calculation details
How the annual estimate is calculated
The calculator divides annual pay plus benefits by 260 working days to estimate daily employment cost. It then applies your vacancy cost rate and converts calendar days to working days using 260 ÷ 365. A 44-calendar-day vacancy represents about 31.3 working days. In the example, that produces an estimated $707 daily vacancy cost and $22,158 per vacancy. With three hygienists and 18% turnover, expected annual departures are 0.54, for an annual estimate of $11,965.
Use your production reports
Start with average daily hygiene production from your practice management system. Subtract production you can recover by moving patients to another hygienist. Divide the remaining amount by daily pay plus benefits to calculate a gross vacancy cost rate. To estimate the net effect after avoided payroll, subtract 100 percentage points. For example, a gross rate of 150% becomes a net rate of 50%. A full recall schedule can increase the cost. Open appointments with other hygienists can help recover production.
What faster hiring and better retention can save
Fewer departures and shorter hiring times mean fewer vacant days. BLS projects 8% growth in dental hygienist employment from 2025 to 2035, with about 15,000 openings per year on average. Use your estimate to compare the savings from better retention and faster recruiting.
Prepare for your next hygienist hire
Put your hiring materials in place
The Dental Hiring Kit includes job descriptions for hygienists, assistants, and front office staff, interview guides, working interview pay guidance, scorecards, and credential tracking tools.
$59
One-time purchase. Instant download.
30-day refund. Reply to your receipt or email support@truestephr.com.
Compare this estimate with your records to help plan your next step.