What dentist pay, supply looks like in the worst states for dental health

The states ranked for having the worst dental health vary in the number of dentists, average salary and reimbursements rates for dental care. 

Becker's compiled data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics's May 2021 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the American Dental Association, the Kaiser Family Foundation's dentist supply and shortage area rankings.

10 worst states for dental health

Arkansas

Average annual salary: $184,540

Medicaid reimbursement for adult dental care: 67.4 percent

Medicaid reimbursement for pediatric dental care: 72.2 percent

No. of dentists: 941

No. of designated dental Health Professional Shortage Areas: 85

 

West Virginia

Average annual salary: $139,200

Medicaid reimbursement for adult dental care: N/A

Medicaid reimbursement for pediatric dental care: 87 percent

No. of dentists: 663

No. of designated dental Health Professional Shortage Areas: 104

 

Louisiana

Average annual salary: $148,060

Medicaid reimbursement for adult dental care: N/A

Medicaid reimbursement for pediatric dental care: 64.9 percent

No. of dentists: 1,588

No. of designated dental Health Professional Shortage Areas: 148

 

Mississippi

Average annual salary: $161,700

Medicaid reimbursement for adult dental care: N/A

Medicaid reimbursement for pediatric dental care: 52.6 percent

No. of dentists: 941

No. of designated dental Health Professional Shortage Areas: 145

 

Texas

Average annual salary: $150,060

Medicaid reimbursement for adult dental care: N/A

Medicaid reimbursement for pediatric dental care: 70.3 percent

No. of dentists: 11,708

No. of designated dental Health Professional Shortage Areas: 302

 

Alaska

Average annual salary: $168,390

Medicaid reimbursement for adult dental care: 69.5 percent

Medicaid reimbursement for pediatric dental care: 72.1 percent

No. of dentists: 392

No. of designated dental Health Professional Shortage Areas: 298

 

Alabama

Average annual salary: $176,910

Medicaid reimbursement for adult dental care: N/A

Medicaid reimbursement for pediatric dental care: 65 percent

No. of dentists: 1,492

No. of designated dental Health Professional Shortage Areas: 81

 

Montana

Average annual salary: $152,770

Medicaid reimbursement for adult dental care: 64 percent

Medicaid reimbursement for pediatric dental care: 65 percent

No. of dentists: 433

No. of designated dental Health Professional Shortage Areas: 123

 

Maine

Average annual salary: $187,460

Medicaid reimbursement for adult dental care: N/A

Medicaid reimbursement for pediatric dental care:  43.1percent

No. of dentists: 522

No. of designated dental Health Professional Shortage Areas: 81

 

Kentucky

Average annual salary: $136,480

Medicaid reimbursement for adult dental care: 68.3 percent

Medicaid reimbursement for pediatric dental care: 104.8

No. of dentists: 1,893

No. of designated dental Health Professional Shortage Areas: 140

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