Benchmarking

California has 18,820 active general dentists, the most of any state, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Dental hygienists earn the most in Washington, where the annual wage for the occupation is $123,510, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

Delaware is the highest-paying state for dentists in 2024, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Dental care spending increased across all insurance types between 2013 and 2021, according to data from Statista.

Alaska is the most expensive state to get a dental X-ray, according to data from insurance company Sidecar Health's cost calculator.

The United States has the most expensive dental care compared to other G7 countries, according to a March 19 ranking from healthnews.com.

Michigan has the highest private insurance adult dental care utilization percentage of any state, with 68% utilization, according to data from the American Dental Association's Health Policy Institute. 

The federal direct unsubsidized loan was recently ranked as the best loan for dental schools students in 2024 by Forbes.

New Jersey has the highest Medicaid adult dental care utilization percentage of any state, with 32% utilization, according to data from the American Dental Association's Health Policy Institute.

U.S. News and Report created a list of 15 of the "best jobs you've never heard of," which includes oral and maxillofacial surgeons.