ZFA shortages are a structural challenge across Germany, not a temporary blip. In metropolitan areas, open ZFA positions routinely take three to six months to fill — and many practices find that candidates who apply are significantly junior to what the role requires.
Where to find qualified candidates
Beyond standard job boards (StepStone, Indeed, Praxis-Stellenmarkt), dental practices should consider direct outreach to regional dental assistant schools, partnerships with training providers, and referral incentives for existing staff who successfully recommend a candidate. Social recruiting via Instagram and LinkedIn is increasingly effective for attracting younger ZFAs.
Making your practice an employer of choice
Salary matters, but it is not the only factor. Flexible working hours, a continuing education budget, modern and well-equipped workspaces, and a transparent practice culture are consistently cited by ZFAs as the deciding factors when choosing between two offers.
Our recruiting guide includes job posting templates in German, a structured interview question set, and a 90-day onboarding plan that reduces the risk of early turnover.