The majority of graduates from allied dental programs were inspired to join the field by their personal experiences, according to the American Dental Education Association’s 2026 U.S. Allied Dental Graduating Student Survey.
To create the report, released this month, the ADEA surveyed 2,773 students graduating from 264 allied dental programs between April 7 and June 29. The report includes data on learning experiences, education debt, funding sources and future career plans.
Here is how dental assisting and hygiene program graduates responded to a question on what influenced their decision to pursue their careers:
Source: What drives dental assistants, hygienists to join the field / Becker’s Dental