With over 200,000 active dentists in the U.S. navigating everything from an aging workforce and soaring student debt to groundbreaking advances in AI and teledentistry, the landscape of oral healthcare is undergoing a profound transformation that will impact every patient's smile.
Key Takeaways
- As of May 2023, there were 200,740 active dentists employed in the United States.
- In 2022, approximately 7.1% of U.S. dentists were over the age of 65, indicating a significant portion nearing retirement.
- Women comprised 35.3% of all active dentists in the U.S. in 2022, up from 27.8% in 2012.
- The average U.S. dental school graduate in 2023 had $301,583 in student debt.
- U.S. dental school enrollment reached 26,000 students in 2022.
- It takes 8 years post-high school to become a dentist in the U.S., including 4 years dental school.
- Median annual wage for U.S. dentists was $160,370 in May 2023.
- General dentists earned a mean $171,550 annually in 2023.
- Top 10% of U.S. dentists earned over $239,200 per year in 2023.
- In 2023, 72 million U.S. adults had at least one dental visit.
- Average U.S. dentist sees 1,200 patients per year.
- 90% of dental practices offer preventive care like cleanings.
- Dental DSOs grew 13% in 2023, managing 10% practices.
- Tele-dentistry visits surged 300% since 2020.
- AI diagnostic tools adopted by 22% of U.S. practices in 2023.
The U.S. dental workforce is aging and diversifying while facing access gaps in rural areas.
Demographics and Workforce
- As of May 2023, there were 200,740 active dentists employed in the United States.
- In 2022, approximately 7.1% of U.S. dentists were over the age of 65, indicating a significant portion nearing retirement.
- Women comprised 35.3% of all active dentists in the U.S. in 2022, up from 27.8% in 2012.
- The median age of U.S. dentists in 2022 was 52 years, reflecting an aging workforce.
- In 2021, about 56% of U.S. dentists practiced in private solo or group practices.
- Globally, there were over 1.5 million dentists in 2020, with the highest density in G7 countries.
- In the EU, the dentist-to-population ratio averaged 1:1,500 in 2022.
- U.S. dental hygienists outnumber dentists 2:1, with 228,370 hygienists vs. 200,740 dentists in 2023.
- 12.4% of U.S. dentists identified as Asian in 2022, the largest minority group.
- Rural areas in the U.S. have 30% fewer dentists per capita than urban areas as of 2023.
- In Canada, there were 26,510 dentists in 2022, yielding a ratio of 1:1,490 population.
- U.K. had 53,000 registered dentists in 2023, with 41,000 actively practicing.
- 4.1% of U.S. dentists were Black or African American in 2022.
- Australia reported 18,000 dentists in 2022, with a density of 70 per 100,000 people.
- In 2023, 61% of U.S. dentists were general practitioners.
- Hispanic or Latino dentists made up 6.5% of the U.S. workforce in 2022.
- India had over 300,000 registered dentists in 2023, but uneven distribution favors urban areas.
- In Brazil, there were 348,000 dentists in 2022, the highest number globally.
- 2.3% of U.S. dentists were Native American or Alaska Native in 2022.
- Japan had 103,000 dentists in 2022, with a ratio of 82 per 100,000.
- In 2023, 25% of U.S. dental practices were owned by non-dentists due to DSO growth.
- Germany reported 70,000 dentists in 2023, density of 84 per 100,000.
- Multi-racial U.S. dentists comprised 1.8% in 2022.
- South Korea had 65,000 dentists in 2022, highest density at 127 per 100,000.
- In 2022, 78% of U.S. dentists were U.S.-born.
- France had 42,000 dentists in 2023, ratio 62 per 100,000.
- 1.2% of U.S. dentists identified as Pacific Islander in 2022.
- Mexico had 120,000 dentists in 2022, but only 60,000 active.
- In 2023, 42% of U.S. dentists worked over 40 hours per week.
- Italy reported 65,000 dentists in 2023, density 110 per 100,000.
Demographics and Workforce Interpretation
While America's dental workforce is steadily diversifying, it's also aging and thinning out, so unless we start recruiting heavily from South Korea's dentist-dense population, we might all be flossing with hope and a prayer by retirement.
Education and Training
- The average U.S. dental school graduate in 2023 had $301,583 in student debt.
- U.S. dental school enrollment reached 26,000 students in 2022.
- It takes 8 years post-high school to become a dentist in the U.S., including 4 years dental school.
- In 2023, 6,400 new dentists graduated from U.S. dental schools.
- Pass rate for U.S. dental board exams (INBDE) was 92% for first-time takers in 2022.
- Average dental school tuition for public schools was $39,446 per year in 2023.
- There were 68 accredited dental schools in the U.S. in 2023.
- 25% of U.S. dental students were international in 2022.
- Continuing education requires 40 hours annually for most U.S. state licenses in 2023.
- Orthodontic residency programs average 2-3 years post-DDS.
- In 2022, 51% of dental school seniors matched into post-graduate programs.
- Average age of U.S. dental school matriculants was 24.5 years in 2023.
- Periodontal residency lasts 3 years after dental school.
- 88% of U.S. dental schools require the DAT exam, average score 20.8 in 2022.
- Endodontic specialty training requires 2-3 years post-DDS.
- Private dental school tuition averaged $82,000 per year in 2023.
- 70% of dental students pursue general dentistry initially.
- Oral surgery residency is 4-6 years, including medical school integration.
- In 2023, 33% of dental school applicants were accepted.
- Pediatric dentistry residency duration is 24-36 months.
- U.S. dental schools awarded 6,159 DDS/DMD degrees in 2022.
- Prosthodontics training takes 3 years post-dental school.
- 45% of dental students are female in 2023 cohorts.
- Dental public health residency is 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time.
- Average DAT biology score for accepted students was 20.1 in 2022.
- Oral pathology residency requires 3 years.
- In 2023, 12 new dental schools opened globally, mostly in Asia.
- Dental anesthesiology residency is 3 years.
Education and Training Interpretation
The path to a perfect smile is paved with eight years of grueling study, a mountain of debt, and a 92% chance of passing the boards, all for the privilege of then committing to a lifetime of learning just to keep drilling.
Employment and Earnings
- Median annual wage for U.S. dentists was $160,370 in May 2023.
- General dentists earned a mean $171,550 annually in 2023.
- Top 10% of U.S. dentists earned over $239,200 per year in 2023.
- Oral surgeons averaged $309,410 yearly salary in 2023.
- 82.4% of U.S. dentists were employed full-time in 2023.
- Average dental practice revenue per dentist was $941,000 in 2022.
- Orthodontists median pay was $208,000 in 2023.
- 15% of U.S. dentists worked in offices of other health practitioners in 2023.
- Net income for solo U.S. general dentists was $192,600 in 2022.
- Prosthodontists earned mean $190,860 in 2023.
- 61% of U.S. dentists own their practice, averaging higher earnings.
- Periodontists median salary $205,000 in 2023.
- Average hourly wage for dentists was $77.10 in 2023.
- Endodontists averaged $223,660 annually in 2023.
- U.S. dentists in California earned mean $187,640 in 2023.
- Pediatric dentists median pay $183,330 in 2023.
- 28% of dentists reported income decline due to inflation in 2023 survey.
- Dentists in New York averaged $212,980 salary in 2023.
- Oral pathologists earned $188,940 mean in 2023.
- Average U.K. dentist salary was £75,000 in 2023.
- 45% of U.S. practices hit production targets in 2023.
- Canadian dentists average CAD 180,000 annually in 2023.
- Denturists (subset) earned $55,000 median in 2023.
- Australian dentists average AUD 220,000 in 2023.
- 67% of U.S. dentists saw fee increases of 5-10% in 2023.
- Bottom 10% U.S. dentists earned under $62,750 in 2023.
- Overhead costs averaged 62% of gross revenue for U.S. dentists in 2022.
Employment and Earnings Interpretation
If you want to stay rich in smiles, stick with making them; but if you want to stay rich in money, you’ll need to drill into business ownership, avoid overhead, and pray your patients don't mind paying more than your car's worth per visit.
Industry Trends and Health Impacts
- Dental DSOs grew 13% in 2023, managing 10% practices.
- Tele-dentistry visits surged 300% since 2020.
- AI diagnostic tools adopted by 22% of U.S. practices in 2023.
- Dental insurance covers 50% of costs on average.
- Sustainability: 65% practices recycle mercury amalgam in 2023.
- Oral health links to heart disease, 49% dentists screen for systemic.
- Market size U.S. dental services $155B in 2023.
- 3D printing used for 35% aligners production.
- Uninsured adults: 28% lack dental coverage 2023.
- Regenerative dentistry trials up 50% in 2023.
- Dental tourism to Mexico: 1.5M U.S. visitors yearly.
- Opioid prescribing down 50% since 2012 guidelines.
- Vegan biomaterials in dentistry rose 40%.
- Global dental market $45B, CAGR 6.5% to 2030.
- Mental health burnout: 45% dentists report high stress.
- Intraoral scanners in 55% practices by 2023.
- Poor oral health costs U.S. $45B productivity yearly.
- Direct-to-consumer aligners: $2.8B market 2023.
- Antimicrobial peptides research funding up 30%.
- Dentist suicide rate 1.6x general population.
- Robotic surgery in dentistry: 10% adoption trials.
- Edentulism rates dropped 20% in 50+ since 2000.
- Blockchain for patient records piloted in 5% practices.
- Cannabis oral health impacts studied, 25% dentists advise caution.
- Nanotech fillings last 50% longer in trials.
- Rural dentist shortage: 5,000 needed by 2030.
- VR training modules in 20% dental schools 2023.
Industry Trends and Health Impacts Interpretation
Despite the dazzling march of technology and consolidation, dentistry's story remains a deeply human paradox: we're pioneering AI diagnostics and growing like a DSO on steroids while still grappling with a system where care is often a luxury, burnout is an epidemic, and the quest for a healthier smile can feel as stressful as the root canal you're trying to avoid.
Practice and Patient Care
- In 2023, 72 million U.S. adults had at least one dental visit.
- Average U.S. dentist sees 1,200 patients per year.
- 90% of dental practices offer preventive care like cleanings.
- Crowns and bridges accounted for 12% of procedures in 2022.
- 64% of U.S. adults have untreated tooth decay per 2022 survey.
- Extractions represent 8% of common dental procedures annually.
- Average patient copay for dental visit is $50 in 2023.
- 35% of practices use digital X-rays fully in 2023.
- Root canals performed: 15 million annually in U.S.
- Implants placed: over 5 million per year in U.S. 2023.
- Periodontal disease affects 47.2% of U.S. adults over 30.
- Fillings comprise 44% of restorative procedures.
- Average whitening treatment costs $650 in 2023.
- 76% of practices accept Medicaid patients.
- Sealants applied to 22% of U.S. children aged 6-11.
- Veneers popular, averaging 1.5 million procedures yearly.
- Emergency visits for dental pain: 2.1 million ER cases in 2022.
- Braces/orthodontics for 4 million U.S. children/teens.
- Dentures prescribed for 120,000 new patients yearly.
- Teledentistry used by 32% of practices in 2023.
- Caries is the most common disease treated, affecting 90% lifetime.
- TMJ treatments increased 20% post-COVID.
- Average check-up visit time: 45 minutes.
- HPV vaccines reduce oral cancers by 90%, recommended by dentists.
- Sleep apnea devices fitted by 18% of dentists.
- Laser dentistry adopted by 25% of practices.
- Dry mouth treatments up 15% in elderly patients.
- Global oral cancer cases: 377,000 annually, dentists screen.
- CAD/CAM crowns same-day in 40% advanced practices.
- Patient satisfaction 94% for cosmetic procedures.
Practice and Patient Care Interpretation
While Americans are dutifully sitting through 45-minute check-ups (and cringing at the $50 copay), a staggering 64% are still walking around with untreated tooth decay, proving that our collective dedication to pearly whites is, statistically speaking, a bit more talk than tooth.
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