Here are 14 things to know about dentistry in West Virginia:
- What five dental roles earn on average per year in the state:
- Dentists: $139,200
- Dental assistants: $36,830
- Dental hygienists: $61,050
- Oral surgeons: $278,515
- Orthodontists: $259,768
- There are 729 active general dentists in West Virginia.
- West Virginia has 120 dental professional shortage areas.
- The state received a score of 8 out of 32 for the extensiveness of its adult Medicaid dental coverage.
- West Virginia was ranked No. 49 by WalletHub on a list of states ranked for dental health.
- In 2021, 48.1 percent of dentists in the state practiced solo.
- West Virginia placed 50th on a list released by Zippia of best states for dentists to live and work.
- The number of dental roles in the state decreased 11.43 percent from 2019 to 2021, according to the American Institute of Dental Public Health.
- There is one dental school in the state — West Virginia University School of Dentistry in Morgantown.
- West Virginia was ranked first by WalletHub on a list of states ranked for best children's oral health.