Benchmarking

There were 231 CODA-accredited dental assisting programs in 2022, a decrease of 8 percent since 2018, according to data from the American Dental Association's Health Policy Institute.

Tuition made up nearly 45 percent of total revenue at U.S. dental schools in 2021, according to data from the American Dental Association.

The average total revenue made by U.S. dental schools has increased from $3.24 billion in 2011 to $4.44 billion in 2021, according to data from the American Dental Association.

Kentucky saw the largest increase in average annual dentist salary, rising from $136,480 in 2021 to $188,910 in 2022, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Alaska saw the biggest drop in average annual dentist salary, decreasing from $168,390 in 2021 to $118,030 in 2022, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Arizona is the highest-paying state for oral and maxillofacial surgeons, while Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, N.C.-S.C. is the highest-paying metropolitan region, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

In 2022, there were 8,982 practicing pediatric dentists in the U.S., according to April data from the American Dental Association Health Policy Institute — an increase of 113.2 percent since 2001.

Minnesota is the highest-paying state for dental assistants, while San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, Calif., is the highest-paying metropolitan region, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

California has 527 dental health professional shortage areas, the most of any state, according to the Health Resources and Services Administration.

Alaska is the highest-paying state for dental hygienists, while Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, Calif., is the highest-paying metropolitan region, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.