Benchmarking

The area of dentistry with the most practitioners is general dentistry, with more than 159,000 general dentists across the U.S., according to data from the Kaiser Family Foundation.

California has the highest number of dental provider shortage areas in the U.S., according to data from the Health Resources and Services Administration.

Dental assistant programs are most expensive at private, for-profit technical colleges and vocational schools, with an average total cost of more than $27,000, according to the ADA's Health Policy Institute. 

Dental hygiene programs are most expensive at private, nonprofit colleges and universities, with an average total cost higher than $85,000, according to the ADA's Health Policy Institute. 

Mississippi is the worst state for dental health, according to personal finance website WalletHub, while having 175 dental shortage areas, according to data from the Health Resources and Service Administration. 

Wisconsin is the best state for dental health, according to personal finance website WalletHub, while having 183 dental shortage areas, according to data from the Health Resources and Service Administration. 

The U.S. is in need of 11,909 dental practitioners to relieve shortage areas, according to data from the Health Resources and Services Administration.

Mississippi is the worst state for dental health and overall healthcare, according to personal finance website WalletHub.

Wisconsin is the best state for dental health while Rhode Island is the best state for overall healthcare, according to personal finance website WalletHub.

Dental hygienists on average earn more than dental assistants regardless of years of experience, according to DentalPost's "2023 Dental Salary Survey" annual report.