Washington, D.C., Delaware, Vermont, Rhode Island and New Hampshire are the top five states with the lowest number of dental professional shortage areas, according to the Health Resources & Services Administration.
Here are the number of shortage areas in each of these states along with the employment numbers of dentists, hygienists and dental assistants, using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
Note: Employment statistics were not available in each state.
Washington, D.C.
Number of shortage areas: 10
General dentists: 370
Specialty dentists: N/A
Dental hygienists: 330
Dental assistants: 510
Delaware
Number of shortage areas: 11
General dentists: 360
Specialty dentists: N/A
Dental hygienists: 590
Dental assistants: 1,120
Vermont
Number of shortage areas: 13
General dentists: 220
Specialty dentists: N/A
Dental hygienists: 520
Dental assistants:650
Rhode Island
Number of shortage areas: 14
General dentists: N/A
Specialty dentists: N/A
Dental hygienists: 850
Dental assistants: 1,120
New Hampshire
Number of shortage areas: 21
General dentists: 460
Specialty dentists: N/A
Dental hygienists: 1,540
Dental assistants: 1,400
