Benchmarking

California currently has the most dental professional shortage areas in the U.S., according to data from the Health Resources & Services Administration.

There were 30 more dental schools in the U.S. in 2023 than there were in 1950, according to data from the American Dental Association.

Nearly two-thirds of dental school applicants were accepted in 1980 compared to less than 60% in 2023, according to data from the American Dental Association.

Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston graduated the highest number of students among U.S. dental schools for the 2023-24 academic year, according to data from the American Dental Association.

Six dental schools saw a decrease in their average four-year tuition between the 2022-23 and 2023-24 academic years, according to data from the American Dental Association.

One-quarter of dentists were too busy to treat all patients that requested care in the past 12 months, according to a survey from the American Dental Association. 

Fifty-three dental schools saw increased tuition between the 2022-23 and 2023-24 academic years, according to data from the American Dental Association:

Tempe, Ariz.-based Align Technology was included on Forbes' inaugural list of America's Dream Employers.

Arkansas was ranked as the state with the worst dental health, earning a score of 58.23 out of 100, according to a Nov. 29 report from OnFocus.

Hawaii was ranked as the state with the best dental health, earning a dental score of 86.78 out of 100, according to a Nov. 29 report from OnFocus.