Benchmarking

California, Texas and New York have the highest number of orthodontists and dentofacial orthopedists in the U.S., according to data from KFF.

There were 6,745 dental school graduates in the U.S. in 2022, according to data from the American Dental Association's Health Policy Institute. 

Wyoming has the fewest oral surgeons out of all U.S. states, according to data from KFF. 

California has the most general dentists out of all U.S. states, according to data from KFF. 

New dentists in affiliated private practices have an average of $309,355 of educational debt plus an additional $78,188 in other debt, the highest of any practice setting, according to research from the American Dental Association Health Policy Institute. 

Orthodontists can make more than triple the average household income in several states, according to recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the U.S. Census Bureau. 

The East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine is the cheapest dental school for first-year, non-resident dental students, according to data from the American Dental Association. 

The University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry is the most expensive dental school for first-year dental students, according to data from the American Dental Association. 

The University of the Pacific in Stockton, Calif., has the most expensive dental school in the U.S., with tuition at $121,750 per year, according to data from the American Dental Association.

There are 5,570 periodontists in the U.S., according to data from KFF.