Here are eight facts to know about dentistry in Illinois:
- What five dental roles earn on average per year in the state:
- Dental assistants: $42,400
- Dental hygienists: $76,640
- Dentists: $136,930
- Oral surgeons: $289,487
- Orthodontists: $262,708
- There are 7,154 active general dentists in Illinois.
- Illinois has 247 dental professional shortage areas.
- Illinois received a score of 22 out of 32 for the extensiveness of its adult Medicaid dental coverage.
- Illinois landed the No. 6 spot on a list of states ranked for dental health.
- In 2021, 44 percent of dentists in the state practiced solo.
- The University of Illinois at Chicago was ranked among the best dental schools in the world.
- Illinois placed No. 14 on a list of best states for dentists to live and work.