In 2024, there were 159,562 dentists licensed for general practice in the United States and 10,830 licensed for orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics. Only 428 of dentists specialized in oral and maxillofacial pathology

As of 2024, California, Texas, and New York had the largest number of active dentists working. California was ranked first with over 30 thousand active dentists. Despite having the largest number of dentists working, these states were not necessarily the states with the highest dentists to population ratio. Dentistry within the U.S. – a supply cliff? Recent estimates have suggested that the dentistry workforce in the U.S. is lacking by over 10,000 dentists. However, some states host a much higher number of dentists per capita. The top three states with the highest dentist density were Alaska, Massachusetts, and, Hawaii, not including D.C. Despite variability across the United States, attractive salaries may be one way to attract more dentists to practice. In a recent survey of dental professionals, dentists that worked in non-solo private practices had some of the highest annual incomes among all dentists.

Dental access and use in the U.S. Dental use and access are staggeringly low in the United States. However, it is recommended that all people should visit their dentist regularly for cleaning and maintenance even if they have no dental issues. One barrier to dental care can be the high costs attached to some services and the lack of dental insurance to pay for care. While a majority of those that access dental services have some form of coverage to help them pay, a significant proportion of those accessing dental services are not covered by any type of insurance. Recommendations for increasing access to dental services include targeted public health programs, better insurance options, and increasing the dental workforce within the U.S.

Over the past five years, dentists have faced changes and challenges. The pandemic caused a notable drop in revenue as monthly dental visits fell. However, as restrictions eased, the industry rebounded in 2021, with visit volumes and expenditures returning to pre-pandemic levels. This recovery occurred amid persistent cost pressures due to rising prices for supplies and equipment, which were exacerbated by supply chain disruptions. Additionally, labor shortages compelled dental practices to offer higher wages to attract and retain staff, thereby squeezing profit for dentists. Despite these economic pressures, industry-wide revenue expanded at a CAGR of 2.7% to an estimated $179.4 billion in 2025, with a projected growth of 1.8% in 2025 alone. Legislation measures have enhanced work opportunities for dental professionals to address rising costs. The American Dental Association (ADA) and similar organizations are addressing workforce shortages through initiatives such as interstate license compacts. These developments, along with the rise of Dental Service Organizations (DSOs), have significantly transformed organizational structures. Dental practices adjust to insurance changes by offering membership packages, providing a cost-effective and transparent alternative to patients. Despite economic sensitivity, payment options with dental financing have supported the growing demand for cosmetic dentistry and expensive treatments. Looking to the future, technological advancements will impact quality, cost and delivery. Innovations such as 3D printing, artificial intelligence (AI) and teledentistry enhance service precision, efficiency and accessibility. 3D printing enables the creation of highly accurate dental products, while AI improves diagnostics and treatment planning. However, these innovations require significant investment and mergers and acquisitions are expected to increase because solo practices often cannot meet the financial requirements or the scale to justify the expenditure independently. Although the dental sector demonstrated resilience to economic downturns, an aging population ensures a steady demand for age-related dental services, promoting revenue stability. Efforts to diversify revenue sources and offer innovative payment methods could shield the industry from economic volatility. Despite labor challenges, insurance program funding and affiliation changes, revenue is expected to strengthen at a CAGR of 2.0% to reach an estimated $198.3 billion in 2030, with profit increasing.

Since 1993, the number of active dentists have been increasing in the United States. By 2024, the number of active dentists in the United States stood at ******* professionals. In the latest years, the number of dentists seems to have stabilized at around the ******* number mark.

Employment statistics on the Dentists industry in the US

In 2024, with over 103 dentists per 100,000 population, the District of Columbia was the area with the highest dentist to population ratio. This was followed by Alaska. While California had the highest number of dentists of all U.S. states, it came fifth in terms of dentist density by state.

Data on active dentists in the United States by state. Data are from Health, United States. SOURCE: American Dental Association, Health Policy Institute. Search, visualize, and download these and other estimates from over 120 health topics with the NCHS Data Query System (DQS), available from: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/dataquery/index.htm.

Graph and download economic data for Employment for Health Care and Social Assistance: Offices of Dentists (NAICS 6212) in the United States (IPURN6212W200000000) from 1987 to 2024 about offices, dental, healthcare, social assistance, health, NAICS, IP, employment, and USA.

In 2024, the number of dentists (who were professionally active) per 100,000 population in the United States was ****. Although the number of active dentists have increased in the past years, the density of dentists have not.

Graph and download economic data for Real personal consumption expenditures: Health care: Outpatient services: Dental services (chain-type quantity index) (DDENRA3A086NBEA) from 1929 to 2024 about dental, medical, quantity index, chained, health, PCE, consumption expenditures, consumption, personal, services, real, GDP, and USA.

Operators in this industry provide dental care services for children and teens under the age of 18.

Number of Businesses statistics on the Cosmetic Dentists industry in the US

As of 2024, the estimated number of dental assistants employed in the United States ranged from *** professionals to over ****** by state. California registered the highest number of dental assistants, whereas the District of columbia had the lowest. Nonetheless, these figures exclude self-employed dental assistants across the United States.

United States QSS: Revenue: HC: Ambulatory: Dentists data was reported at 33.083 USD bn in Mar 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 30.837 USD bn for Dec 2017. United States QSS: Revenue: HC: Ambulatory: Dentists data is updated quarterly, averaging 26.350 USD bn from Mar 2009 (Median) to Mar 2018, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 33.083 USD bn in Mar 2018 and a record low of 23.599 USD bn in Dec 2009. United States QSS: Revenue: HC: Ambulatory: Dentists data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by US Census Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.H019: Quarterly Services Survey.

Number of Businesses statistics on the Dental Laboratories industry in the US

Comprehensive dataset containing 27,515 verified Pediatric dentist businesses in United States with complete contact information, ratings, reviews, and location data.

Graph and download economic data for Total Revenue for Offices of Dentists, All Establishments, Employer Firms (REVEF6212ALLEST) from 1998 to 2022 about dental, employer firms, accounting, revenue, establishments, services, and USA.

In 2022, 5,720 dentists in Virginia’s workforce provided 4,307 “full-time equivalency units”, which the HWDC defines as working 2,000 hours a year. The Virginia Department of Health Professions’ Healthcare Workforce Data Center (HWDC) administers the 2022 survey during the license renewal process, which takes place annually on an ongoing basis during the birth month of each dentist. The 6,325 survey respondents represent 83% of the 7,607 licensed dentists in the state and nearly all of the renewing practitioners.

This report contains the results of the 2022 Dental Hygienist Workforce survey. More than 5,174 dental hygienists voluntarily participated in this survey. The Virginia Department of Health Professions’ Healthcare Workforce Data Center (HWDC) administers the survey during the license renewal process, which takes place annually on an ongoing basis during the birth month of each dental hygienist. These survey respondents represent 81% of the 6,390 dental hygienists who are licensed in the state and 88% of renewing practitioners.

Comprehensive dataset containing 32 verified My Dentist locations in United States with complete contact information, ratings, reviews, and location data.

United States PPI: Svcs: SC: Dentists' Offices (DO) data was reported at 139.872 Jun2010=100 in Mar 2025. This stayed constant from the previous number of 139.872 Jun2010=100 for Feb 2025. United States PPI: Svcs: SC: Dentists' Offices (DO) data is updated monthly, averaging 114.150 Jun2010=100 from Jun 2010 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 178 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 139.872 Jun2010=100 in Mar 2025 and a record low of 100.000 Jun2010=100 in Jun 2010. United States PPI: Svcs: SC: Dentists' Offices (DO) data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.I106: Producer Price Index: by Industry: Services: Selected Health Care Industries.