Topics on this page:
Whether you’re a recent graduate from dental school or a veteran dentist, location is always a factor when establishing your dental practice or contemplating your next career move. Determining the best state to be a dentist is a complex challenge since the definition of “best” can depend on each dentist’s preferences. No matter where your state’s dentist average salary falls, things like cost of living, population, and demand for dental professionals will still vary greatly depending on the location.
Clearly the state or metropolitan area where you choose to practice can have a significant impact on your earning potential and quality of life. For example, it might not surprise you to hear that the demand for dentists is higher in more populous states like California and New York than in states with smaller populations, or that areas with high costs of living tend to offer higher average salaries than do more affordable living areas. Even the workplace setting can make a difference. For example, did you know that dentists who work in general dental offices often have lower annual wages than dentists who work in state government settings?
All of this is to say that you have many options and many factors to consider when planning the next step in your career. To help streamline the research and decision-making process, we’ve collected data and rankings for the best states to practice dentistry — and the worst — in several categories using metrics like these:
Let’s take a look at where in the country you might find the most satisfaction working as a dentist.
What does it mean to be the best state? Zippia, a site focused on jobs and career paths, determined “best” and “worst” states by analyzing three metrics: job availability, pay, and cost of living. Here’s what their data suggested:
When choosing where to establish your dental practice or where to work as a licensed dentist, salary is certainly one key factor to consider. Based on the most recent data collected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the following five states offer the highest average salaries for dentists. All rank above the national average for dental salaries.
Conversely, here are the five states with the lowest mean dental salaries in the country.
Before you choose to change to another location to practice dentistry, it’s important to consider the area’s job market, specifically the potential for growth in the dental industry. Moving to an area that is already saturated with dentists or doesn’t project a lot of potential for growth might not be wise, while practicing in an area with a high job growth potential can catapult you up the career and earnings ladder.
Below, we’ve compiled the five best and worst states for job growth potential for dentists.
The cost of living in a particular area is another important factor in your career location decision. Knowing how much living expenses such as housing, food, and transportation cost in a certain state will help you better understand how far your salary will stretch, how much you’ll need for basic expenses, and how much you’ll have for discretionary purchases or investment in your dental practice.
Here are the five best and worst states for cost of living.
What factors matter the most to you when judging your quality of life? Excellent school systems, low crime rates, or plenty of outdoor activities? Considering what else you value in addition to financial security will help increase your overall life satisfaction and prevent workplace fatigue and burnout.
U.S. News & World Report considers many factors when ranking the best states to live in, including healthcare, education, economy, infrastructure, public safety, natural environment, fiscal stability, and available opportunities. According to its 2023 rankings, these states offer the best and worst quality of life:
After weighing all of the above data, you may have an idea of where you’d like to live and work. But before making any decisions, it’s important to check the state dental licensure requirements, to make sure that you have all the licenses and certifications you need to work in your desired area.
The American Dental Association (ADA) provides state-by-state details on license requirements so that you know exactly what you need to be permitted to work in your state of choice. If applying for a dental license in the majority of U.S. licensing jurisdictions, you must meet three basic requirements:
Most states require a DDS or DMD degree from a university accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
All applicants must pass Part I and Part II of the multiple-choice, written National Board Dental Examination.
The individual state board of dentistry will establish its own clinical exam requirement, but most rely on a regional board to administer the exam. Information on the five clinical testing agencies can be found here. Only two states — Delaware and New York — do not use a clinical testing agency.
There may be additional licensure requirements by state, but the aforementioned three basic requirements must meet the standard passing rate in each state. Some additional requirements may include:
Find a complete list of the initial licensure requirements by state on the ADA’s website.
Wherever you choose to practice, it’s important to protect yourself and your practice against any potential lawsuits or litigation. Explore our options for dental malpractice insurance, learn how it can protect you, and get a free quote today.
The above factors should all weigh into your decision of where to live and practice. However, there are other variables that both new dentists and established professionals should also consider. For example, are you passionate about providing dental services to underserved areas? Do you want to specialize in a certain area of preventative care, oral health, or general dental wellness?
Additionally, don’t limit your work environment to a traditional dentist’s office. There are dentist jobs available in other settings, too, some of which pay, on average, very well.
For example, the BLS lists these additional top-paying industries for dentists, based on annual mean wage.
Now that you’re armed with the latest statistics, you can take this information and use it to make the best decision for your future. Just because a certain state is included in our list of “best states for dentists to live” doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best place for you to live. Deciding where to make your life and career is a deeply personal decision and varies from individual to individual. Choose your next career move based on what factors matter the most to you. We know you’ll make the best possible decision for yourself. Good luck!
Image courtesy of iStock.com/Portra
Last updated on Sep 04, 2024.
Originally published on Nov 16, 2023.
More:
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Berxi™ or Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company. This article (subject to change without notice) is for informational purposes only, and does not constitute professional advice. Click here to read our full disclaimer
The product descriptions provided here are only brief summaries and may be changed without notice. The full coverage terms and details, including limitations and exclusions, are contained in the insurance policy. If you have questions about coverage available under our plans, please review the policy or contact us at 833-242-3794 or support@berxi.com. “20% savings” is based on industry pricing averages.
Berxi™ is a part of Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI). Insurance products are distributed through Berkshire Hathaway Global Insurance Services, California License # 0K09397. BHSI is part of Berkshire Hathaway’s National Indemnity group of insurance companies, consisting of National Indemnity and its affiliates, which hold financial strength ratings of A++ from AM Best and AA+ from Standard & Poor’s. The rating scales can be found at www.ambest.com and www.standardandpoors.com, respectively.
No warranty, guarantee, or representation, either expressed or implied, is made as to the correctness, accuracy, completeness, adequacy, or sufficiency of any representation or information. Any opinions expressed herein are subject to change without notice.
The information on this web site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, and does not purport to establish a standard of care under any circumstances. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available through this web site is for general information purposes only based upon the information available at the time of presentation, and does not constitute medical, legal, regulatory, compliance, financial, professional, or any other advice.
BHSI makes no representation and assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy of information contained on or available through this web site, and such information is subject to change without notice. You are encouraged to consider and confirm any information obtained from or through this web site with other sources, and review all information regarding any medical condition or treatment with your physician or medical care provider. NEVER DISREGARD PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE OR DELAY SEEKING MEDICAL TREATMENT BECAUSE OF SOMETHING THAT YOU HAVE READ ON OR ACCESSED THROUGH THIS WEB SITE.
BHSI is not a medical organization, and does not recommend, endorse or make any representation about the efficacy, appropriateness or suitability of any specific tests, products, procedures, treatments, services, opinions, health care providers or other information contained on or available through this web site. BHSI IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY FOR, ANY ADVICE, COURSE OF TREATMENT, DIAGNOSIS OR ANY OTHER SERVICES OR PRODUCTS THAT YOU OBTAIN AFTER REVIEWING THIS WEB SITE.
Click to collapse disclamerWant Berxi articles delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for our monthly newsletter below!
"*" indicates required fields
Want Berxi articles delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for our monthly newsletter below!
