The average number of hours dental professionals spent in offices hit its lowest point in three decades in 2020, according to new data from the American Dental Association.

After experiencing a decrease between 2017 and 2018, annual compensation for orthodontists has since increased, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

Although annual compensation for oral and maxillofacial surgeons saw a significant increase between 2016 and 2017, the average salary has declined since, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

Dental hygienist pay has increased 6.3 percent in the last five years, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

The annual salary for dental assistants has steadily increased over the last five years, with an 11.7 percent increase between 2016 and 2020, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

Most dentists are confident that the dental care economy will recover in six months.

Minnesota is the highest paying state for dental assistants, while Santa Rosa, Calif., is the highest paying city, according to data compiled by Becker's from several sources.

The average annual salary for dentists has gradually increased over the years, with a 4 percent increase from 2016 to 2020, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

The growing number of female dentists could diversify the workforce and improve care for underserved patients, according to a recent study by the Oral Health Workforce Research Center at the University at Albany of the State University of New York. 

The American Dental Association released a 2020-21 list of 321 dental hygiene programs with nontraditional designs.

Washington, D.C., is the highest-paying territory for dentists, according to a 2022 salary survey by DentalPost released Jan. 11.

U.S. News & World Report released its best healthcare jobs of 2022 list Jan. 11, and four dental jobs made the cut.

Four dental jobs are among the best in the U.S., according to U.S. News and World Report.

Of the 25 best-paying jobs on U.S. News & World Report's list released Jan. 11, four are dental industry jobs.

Seven dental supply companies were named best in the industry for 2021 by VeryWell Health.

Becker's has reported on several reports and surveys providing data on key aspects of the dental industry, including salary, insurance, workforce and patient care.

As of 2019, 83 percent of dental school graduates had student loan debt, according to the Education Data Initiative.

California had the highest number of employed dental hygienists in 2020, while Idaho had the highest concentration of hygienists per 1,000 jobs.

On average, Alaska is the highest-paying state for dental hygienists.

On average, Minnesota is the highest-paying state for dental assistants.