In 2023, there were 159,265 dentists licensed for general practice in the United States and 10,904 licensed for orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics. This statistic shows the number of professionally active dentists working in the U.S. in 2023, by area of practice.

Market Size statistics on the Dentists industry in United States

As of 2023, 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 Massachusetts, Alaska, and New Jersey. 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.

This annual report brings together information on NHS dental activity in England for the 12-month period to 31 March 2023 (including clinical treatments, orthodontic activity, patient eligibility and charges, and dental workforce) and information on the number of patients seen by an NHS dentist up to 30 June 2023. Data is also provided for the previous 4 financial years for comparison. This publication includes information about patients seen and NHS dental activity broken down to dental contract level. For further information about the data in this publication please see the supporting information in the resources linked below. To limit COVID-19 transmissions, dental practices were instructed to close and cease all routine dental care from the 25th March 2020, and began to reopen from 8th June 2020. The data reported in the publication including activity, patient numbers, finances and treatments, will be lower than expected during the time period of restrictions. Further information can be found in our 2019/20 Annual publication supplementary report and the data quality statement - see links below. NOTE: .csv files may not open in applications such as Microsoft Excel due to the number of rows included in the dataset. Users may wish to import the file directly into a database, or alternatively use a text editor to split the file for import/use in applications such as Microsoft Excel.

In 2022, there were over 71 thousand practicing dentists in Germany, the highest number recorded in Europe. Followed by Italy with around 52 thousand dentists and France with nearly 46 thousand. As these countries have some of the highest populations in the European Union, it follows that they have the highest number of practicing dentists. Visiting the dentist In 2018, a survey of German individuals revealed that 86 percent of respondents visit the dentist at least once a year. Furthermore, 41 percent of those, in general, see a dentist twice a year. While in Great Britain, the share of respondents who visit a dentist at least once a year is slightly lower at 74 percent. Dental market in the UK Household spending on dental services in the United Kingdom has significantly increased since the year 2000, going from approximately 1.4 billion British pounds to over 3.1 billion British pounds in 2022, recovering from a significant decrease due to the pandemic in 2020. Similarly, the expenditure on dental services based on volume fell decreased in 2020, and currently it is valued over 2.8 billion British pounds.

This report provides information on dental working hours for dentists in Scotland in 2008/09 and 2009/10 who performed some NHS activity. Information on average weekly hours, NHS weekly hours, weeks of annual leave and the division of time between NHS and private dentistry, and clinical and non-clinical work, is presented. The results are presented for Principal Dentists (those who are owners, directors or partners of a dental practice) and for Associate Dentists (those who are self-employed and enter into an agreement with a Principal Dentist, that is neither partnership nor employment). This report was produced by The NHS Information Centre for health and social care, and The Dental Working Group. This is the first year that The NHS Information Centre has produced working hours data for dentists in Scotland. As such, this report carries the label "Experimental Statistics". Experimental Statistics are new statistics that are undergoing evaluation. We therefore welcome comments on this report.

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 happened amid persistent cost pressures because of rising prices for supplies and equipment, worsened by supply chain disruptions. Also, labor shortages forced dental practices to offer higher wages to attract and retain staff, squeezing profit. Despite these economic pressures, industry-wide revenue expanded at a CAGR of 3.9% to an estimated $190.4 billion in 2025, with a projected growth of 2.9% 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 with initiatives like interstate license compacts. These developments and the rise of Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) have significantly transformed organizational structures. By 2023, only 72.0% of dentists owned their practices, down from 85.0% in 2005, with nearly 13.0% affiliating with DSOs. This trend has attracted considerable private equity investment and firms now own 90.0% of top-performing DSOs. 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 like 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 2.1% to reach an estimated $211.6 billion in 2030, with profit increasing.

Graph and download economic data for All Employees: Education and Health Services: Offices of Dentists in New York (SMU36000006562120001SA) from Jan 1990 to May 2025 about dental, health, NY, services, employment, and USA.

In 2001, only 16 percent of all licensed dentists working in the United States were female. By 2023, this share had risen to nearly 38 percent. This statistic shows the distribution of licensed dentists working in the U.S. from 2001 to 2023, by gender.

Dental Earnings and Expenses Estimates, 2016/17, provides a detailed study of the earnings and expenses of self-employed primary care dentists who undertook some NHS/Health Service work during the financial year. Figures relate to both NHS/Health Service and private dentistry and are shown for full-time and part-time dentists; some analysis by weekly working hours bandings are included using information from the biennial Dental Working Patterns Survey (and are included in the interactive report). Although the report contains analysis for England & Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, the values are not directly comparable between countries; this is due to differing contractual arrangements as well as the use of different methods to derive dental type in each country. The analyses throughout this report are based on anonymised tax data for dentists with accounting periods ending in the fourth quarter of 2016/17 and effective as of the end of March 2017. The tax data cover self-employed dental income from all sources, including from private dental practice. Data on earnings from employment or for those dentists in private practice only are not included. The report is primarily used as evidence in remuneration negotiations and by the Review Body for Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration. It has been produced by NHS Digital in consultation with the Dental Working Group which includes representatives from the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England, Welsh Government, Department of Health Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Health and Social Care Business Services Organisation, Scottish Government, NHS National Services Scotland: Information Services Division, NHS Business Services Authority Information Services, HMRC: Knowledge, Analysis and Intelligence Division, the National Association of Specialist Dental Accountants and Lawyers and the British Dental Association representing the views and interests of dentists. We welcome feedback on all of our publications. Please contact us with any comments and suggestions by email to gpanddentalpay@nhs.net stating Dental Earnings and Expenses Estimates in the subject line, or by telephone on 0300 303 567. This is the first time that this report has been released as a single instalment which makes all material available to users earlier than in previous years and includes an interactive report.

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US Dental Chains Market Size 2025-2029

The US dental chains market size is forecast to increase by USD 91.7 billion at a CAGR of 8.5% between 2024 and 2029.

The Dental Chains Market is experiencing significant growth, driven by the rising prevalence of oral cancers and the increasing adoption of advanced dental procedures. According to the World Health Organization, the number of oral cancer cases is projected to increase by 30% by 2030. This trend presents a substantial opportunity for dental chains to expand their offerings and cater to the growing demand for specialized dental care. However, the high cost associated with dental procedures poses a challenge for market growth. Despite the benefits of advanced dental treatments, affordability remains a significant barrier for many individuals, particularly in developing regions. The increasing number of dental practitioners in developed countries is driving market demand, as more individuals have access to orthodontic treatments.
Furthermore, regulatory hurdles impact adoption, as stringent regulations and lengthy approval processes can delay market entry for dental chains. Supply chain inconsistencies also temper growth potential, as the availability of high-quality dental equipment and supplies can vary significantly between regions. To capitalize on market opportunities and navigate challenges effectively, dental chains must focus on offering affordable pricing models and innovative financing options. Collaborating with insurance providers and government healthcare programs can help make dental care more accessible to a broader population. Additionally, investing in research and development to improve the efficiency and affordability of dental procedures can help dental chains differentiate themselves from competitors and attract price-sensitive consumers. However, the high costs of dental braces and procedures remain a challenge for some consumers, limiting market penetration in certain demographics.
The Dental Chains Market is poised for growth, driven by the increasing prevalence of oral cancers and the adoption of advanced dental procedures. However, challenges such as high costs, regulatory hurdles, and supply chain inconsistencies must be addressed to fully realize the market's potential. By focusing on affordability, innovation, and collaboration, dental chains can capitalize on market opportunities and navigate challenges effectively.

What will be the size of the US Dental Chains Market during the forecast period?

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In the dynamic dental market, technology continues to revolutionize the industry, with CAD/CAM systems and robotic dentistry leading the charge. Patient portals and digital dentistry enable seamless communication between patients and dental practices, while online booking and appointment scheduling tools enhance convenience. Holistic dentistry emphasizes oral hygiene and overall health, integrating data analytics and dental education to deliver personalized care. Dental outreach and community programs expand dental care access, while value-based care and practice management solutions focus on improving dental care quality and affordability. Patient engagement is paramount, with mobile apps, dental health education, and 3D printing offering innovative solutions.
Dental data and analytics play a crucial role in informed decision-making, driving dental innovation and integrated care. Patient experience remains a top priority, with oral hygiene, preventive dentistry, and dental technology enhancing patient satisfaction. Dental innovation, appointment scheduling, and laser dentistry contribute to improved dental care, while data-driven strategies ensure efficient practice operations. Dental wellness and dental care quality are intertwined, with dental analytics and dental education fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

How is this market segmented?

The market research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD billion' for the period 2025-2029, as well as historical data from 2019-2023 for the following segments.

Revenue Stream

  Endodontics
  Cosmetic dentistry
  Prosthodontics
  Orthodontics
  Others


Type

  Dental consumables
  Dental equipment


Service Type

  Preventive Care
  Restorative
  Elective and Cosmetic
  Surgical


Geography

  North America

    US

By Revenue Stream Insights

The endodontics segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period.

The endodontics segment plays a significant role in the dental chains market in the US, providing specialized procedures for diagnosing and treating dental pulp conditions. Root canal therapies and related interventions are essential services offered to preserve natural dentition, contributing to the segment's revenue stream. Advanced techniques and clinical protocols

Graph and download economic data for Employed full time: Wage and salary workers: Dental hygienists occupations: 16 years and over (LEU0254489100A) from 2000 to 2024 about dental, hygiene, occupation, full-time, salaries, workers, 16 years +, wages, employment, and USA.

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.

Dental service providers faced significant revenue fluctuations because of economic challenges and the global health crisis. This led to consumer confidence and disposable income changes, causing many to postpone essential and elective procedures. Despite these challenges and rising wage pressures, the industry experienced a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.4% from 2020 to 2025. However, when the pandemic's impact was excluded, growth from 2019 to 2025 was stagnant. In 2025, revenue is expected to reach $20.3 billion, with a slight drop of 0.1%, reflecting ongoing economic pressures affecting disposable income and consumer confidence.

Rising wages, driven by competition for scarce dental professionals, have been the most crucial factor that reduced profit. Although AI and CAD/CAM systems offer cost-saving solutions, uptake varies among practices. Differences in population density and provincial income impact pricing and revenue, influencing practice size and the ability to invest in expensive equipment. Larger practices in affluent urban areas, where patients often have private insurance or can pay out-of-pocket, are better positioned to afford such investments, spreading costs over a more extensive client base than smaller, rural practices. The dental industry is poised for challenges and opportunities in the future. Revenue is expected to climb at a CAGR of 2.8%, reaching approximately $23.2 billion by 2030, with the average dental services provider expecting a slight dip in profit. The evolution of corporate dentistry (where corporations own multiple practices rather than individual dentists) and Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) is changing the industry landscape by offering the benefits of economies of scale and business support to smaller practices. Expanding government-backed initiatives like the Canadian Dental Care Plan will improve access to services for underinsured populations, providing new revenue streams. Advancements in AI, VR and teledentistry are set to enhance service delivery and patient engagement, driving growth in urban markets. By adopting technology and adapting to the declines in population growth in some markets, the dental industry can navigate future revenue volatility by capitalizing on new growth opportunities, including mobile dental services and continued specialization of offices.

This dataset shows the Principal statistics of dental services, 1971 - 2017. Footnote: No census/ survey was conducted for the years 1980, 1982, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011 - 2014, 2016 and 2017. Number of establishments, value of gross output, value of intermediate input, and value added are only available from the year 2002 onwards. Source: Department of Statistics, Malaysia.

According to the data, in 2023, over 66 percent of patients were covered by a private insurance for their dental care, while a quarter had no dental coverage. This statistic shows the percentage of U.S. dental patients - at general practitioners or specialists - that were covered by select insurances from 1990 to 2023.

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.

This dataset provides beneficiary and service counts for annual dental visits, dental preventive services, dental treatment, and dental exams by rendering providers (by NPI) for calendar year (CY) 2020. It includes Fee-For-Service (FFS), Geographic Managed Care (GMC), and Pre-Paid Health (PHP) Plans delivery systems. Rendering providers are categorized as either rendering or rendering at a safety net clinic. Beneficiaries are grouped by Age 0-20 and Age 21+.