The states ranked for having the worst dental health vary in the number of dentists, average salary and reimbursements rates for dental care.
Becker's compiled data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics's May 2021 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the American Dental Association, the Kaiser Family Foundation's dentist supply and shortage area rankings.
10 worst states for dental health
Arkansas
Average annual salary: $184,540
Medicaid reimbursement for adult dental care: 67.4 percent
Medicaid reimbursement for pediatric dental care: 72.2 percent
No. of dentists: 941
No. of designated dental Health Professional Shortage Areas: 85
West Virginia
Average annual salary: $139,200
Medicaid reimbursement for adult dental care: N/A
Medicaid reimbursement for pediatric dental care: 87 percent
No. of dentists: 663
No. of designated dental Health Professional Shortage Areas: 104
Louisiana
Average annual salary: $148,060
Medicaid reimbursement for adult dental care: N/A
Medicaid reimbursement for pediatric dental care: 64.9 percent
No. of dentists: 1,588
No. of designated dental Health Professional Shortage Areas: 148
Mississippi
Average annual salary: $161,700
Medicaid reimbursement for adult dental care: N/A
Medicaid reimbursement for pediatric dental care: 52.6 percent
No. of dentists: 941
No. of designated dental Health Professional Shortage Areas: 145
Texas
Average annual salary: $150,060
Medicaid reimbursement for adult dental care: N/A
Medicaid reimbursement for pediatric dental care: 70.3 percent
No. of dentists: 11,708
No. of designated dental Health Professional Shortage Areas: 302
Alaska
Average annual salary: $168,390
Medicaid reimbursement for adult dental care: 69.5 percent
Medicaid reimbursement for pediatric dental care: 72.1 percent
No. of dentists: 392
No. of designated dental Health Professional Shortage Areas: 298
Alabama
Average annual salary: $176,910
Medicaid reimbursement for adult dental care: N/A
Medicaid reimbursement for pediatric dental care: 65 percent
No. of dentists: 1,492
No. of designated dental Health Professional Shortage Areas: 81
Montana
Average annual salary: $152,770
Medicaid reimbursement for adult dental care: 64 percent
Medicaid reimbursement for pediatric dental care: 65 percent
No. of dentists: 433
No. of designated dental Health Professional Shortage Areas: 123
Maine
Average annual salary: $187,460
Medicaid reimbursement for adult dental care: N/A
Medicaid reimbursement for pediatric dental care: 43.1percent
No. of dentists: 522
No. of designated dental Health Professional Shortage Areas: 81
Kentucky
Average annual salary: $136,480
Medicaid reimbursement for adult dental care: 68.3 percent
Medicaid reimbursement for pediatric dental care: 104.8
No. of dentists: 1,893
No. of designated dental Health Professional Shortage Areas: 140