Benchmarking

New patients can wait an average of 24 days for a dental appointment and between 20 to 34 days for other medical appointments, according to a Sept. 14 Medscape report and data from the American Dental Association.

There are 201,927 total active dentists in the U.S., according to 2022 data from the Kaiser Family Foundation. 

Minnesota is the highest-paying state for dental assistants, while Louisiana is the lowest, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Alaska is the highest-paying state for dental hygienists, while Alabama is the lowest-paying state, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Delaware is the highest-paying state in the U.S. for dentists, while Idaho is the lowest-paying state, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

First-year dental school enrollment has increased 22 percent since the 2010-11 school year, according to data from the American Dental Association. 

The U.S. healthcare system could save up to $100 million each year if dental practices screened for certain chronic conditions, according to CDC data. 

Here are seven things to know about the dental industries in Connecticut and Arkansas:

The University of the Pacific in Stockton, Calif., has the most expensive dental school in the U.S., with tuition at $119,360 per year, according to data from the American Dental Association.

Some of the top stories by Becker's Dental + DSO Review this summer covered dental compensation, supply chain shortages and dental schools.