Here are 13 things to know about dentistry in Missouri:
- What five dental roles earn on average per year in the state:
- Dentists: $167,240
- Dental assistants: $40,030
- Dental hygienists: $74,230
- Oral surgeons: $281,061
- Orthodontists: $255,921
- There are 2,486 active general dentists in Missouri.
- Missouri has 344 dental professional shortage areas.
- The state received a score of 13 out of 32 for the extensiveness of its adult Medicaid dental coverage.
- Missouri was ranked No. 30 by WalletHub on a list of states ranked for dental health.
- In 2021, 46.4 percent of dentists in the state practiced solo.
- Missouri placed 30th on a list released by Zippia of best states for dentists to live and work.
- The number of dental roles in the state increased 0.76 percent from 2019 to 2021, according to the American Institute of Dental Public Health.
- There are three dental schools in the state — Kansas City University College Dental Medicine, Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health in Kirksville and University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry.