State of dentistry in West Virginia: 14 things to know - Becker’s Dental Review

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.

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