Over the period from 2013 to 2023, the number of Dental Technicians and Dental Assistants in South Africa increased steadily from 4.63 thousand persons to 6.23 thousand persons. Notably, there was significant growth in 2016 with a year-on-year increase of 14.61%. However, post-2016, the year-on-year growth moderated, averaging around 2% in the more recent years. As of 2023, the number stood at 6.23 thousand persons.
From 2018 to 2023, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) was 2.23%. Looking forward, the forecasted data suggest a more moderate growth trend with a 5-year CAGR of 1.43%, leading to a total growth of 7.35% by 2028, reaching 6.82 thousand persons.
Future trends to watch for include potential changes in the healthcare landscape that might affect workforce demands such as healthcare reforms, technological advancements in dental care, and changes in educational funding for dental technicians and assistants.
