There are nearly 8,000 dental professional shortage areas in the U.S., according to data from the Health Resources and Services Administration.
The agency estimates a need of 13,000 dental professionals to fill the shortages.
According to the American Dental Association, there were 28,925 students enrolled in U.S. dental schools for the 2025-26 academic year.
Here is the number of students enrolled in dental schools in the state with the highest number of dental professional shortage areas:
1. California: 591 shortage areas; 2,860 students enrolled at dental schools in California
2. Texas: 358 shortage areas; 1,526 students enrolled at dental schools in Texas
3. Missouri: 348 shortage areas; 960 students enrolled at dental schools in Missouri
4. Alaska: 345 shortage areas; 0 students enrolled at dental schools in Alaska
5. Florida: 292 shortage areas; 1,465 students enrolled at dental schools in Florida
6. Illinois: 289 shortage areas; 1,157 students enrolled at dental schools in Illinois
7. Arizona: 287 shortage areas; 892 students enrolled at dental schools in Arizona
8. Michigan: 274 shortage areas; 1,082 students enrolled at dental schools in Michigan
9. Kentucky: 256 shortage areas; 736 students enrolled at dental schools in Kentucky
10. Minnesota: 229 shortage areas; 453 students enrolled at dental schools in Minnesota
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