Benchmarking

The average cost of dental school in the U.S. has increased in the last 10 years, 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., according to data from the American Dental Association.

Wisconsin was ranked as the best state for dental health by personal finance website WalletHub, while employers are having the most success finding staff in New York, according to the site. 

Mississippi was ranked as the worst state for dental health by personal finance website WalletHub, while employers are most struggling to find staff in Alaska, according to the site. 

Four dental companies made Forbes' best midsize U.S. employers list for 2023.

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.