The States Most in Need of Dentists
Certain parts of the country face a shortage of dentists, with a bright outlook for dentist jobs. Patient access to dental care presents challenges in many areas.
“You cannot ask ‘Are there enough dentists?’ without asking ‘Are there enough sources of reimbursement?’” said Linda Niessen, DMD, MPH, dean of Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. “Dentists are getting jobs and doing well, but we are not reaching all of the population.”
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 19 percent job growth for dentists (from 2016 to 2026), which is much faster than average. The bureau cites an aging population and new research linking oral and overall health as reasons for the increased demand for dental care.
“Periodontal disease is about inflammation,” Niessen explained. “The mouth is connected to the rest of the body.”
HRSA’s Dental Shortages
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) at the end of 2017 identified 5,866 dental health professional shortage areas, in which nearly 63 million people live. HRSA considers an area underserved if a population falls below the minimum standard of one dentist per 5,000 people.
HRSA estimates the country would need 10,802 new dentists to eliminate the designations. About two-thirds of the designated areas for dentist shortages are in rural or partially rural areas.
“Dentists tend to practice in larger, urban areas,” Niessen said. “Rural areas often do not have the same population per dentist.”
Niessen added that certain urban areas often have shortages of dentists, particularly those lacking a supermarket.
Certain states are short more dentists than others.
10 States with Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs):
- Florida – more than 5 million
- Arizona – 4.6 million
- Texas – 4.2 million
- New York – 2.7 million
- Washington – 2.7 million
- Illinois – 2.5 million
- Tennessee – 2.4 million
- North Carolina – 2.3 million
- Missouri – 2.3 million
- Pennsylvania and Ohio (tie) – 2.1 million
The states with the fewest people living in dental HPSAs include Nebraska with just 7,816, Vermont with 29,428, New Hampshire with 39,527, and Hawaii with 40,313.
Andreea Voinea-Griffin, DDS, MBA, MSHA, FACHE, at Texas A&M University Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas, and colleagues studied in 2016 characteristics of HRSA areas with a shortage of dentists. They concluded that people living in the underserved areas were more likely to have lower income and education levels, more people from underrepresented population groups, and lower population densities, suggesting geographic and financial barriers to dental care.
Andreea Voinea-Griffin, DDS, MBA, MSHA, FACHE, at Texas A&M University Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas, and colleagues studied in 2016 characteristics of HRSA areas with a shortage of dentists. They concluded that people living in the underserved areas were more likely to have lower income and education levels, more people from underrepresented population groups, and lower population densities, suggesting geographic and financial barriers to dental care.
Cost Issues Casing Dentist Shortages
The American Dental Association reported in a 2017 webinar that 59 percent of adults who had not visited a dentist in the past year did not access dental care due to the cost.
Only 15 percent of those surveyed said they had trouble finding a dentist. “It’s not whether we have the right number of dentists or not; it’s done we have people who can pay for care,” said Niessen, explaining that adults often forgo dental care, because they do not have dental coverage.
Medicare does not cover dental services. Patients often go to the emergency department with tooth pain, but that does not solve the access problem. It’s a stopgap. The patient leaves with an antibiotic and analgesic but no dental care and often returns again.
Niessen added that some private insurance companies are including dental care in their benefits for patients with chronic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus and heart disease.
“When they provide a dental benefit, they save money on the medical side,” Niessen said. “The cost of hospitalization decrease and their medication costs decrease.”
Supply and Demand for Dentists
With the demand for dentists strong, dental schools have increased enrollment. About 6,000 dentists graduate annually, Niessen said. When it opened in 1997, Nova was the first new U.S. dental school in 25 years. All of her graduates receive dentist job offers. Some work for dental practices as associate dentists, and others often work for corporate dental service organizations.
“Dentists are finding work and doing really well,” Niessen said.
In January 2018, U.S. News & World Report ranked dentists the second-best job in the country overall and the best health care job in the country, citing a low unemployment rate, a good salary, and good work-life balance.
Federally Qualified Health Centers use locum tenens dentists while seeking to hire permanent dentists. Private dental practices also have started filling vacancies, leaves, vacations, and other absences with locum tenens dentists.
Neiseen said she expected locum tenens dentist jobs would appeal to new dentists and those who have given up their practices but still want to care for patients.
It gives the locum tenens dentist and the hiring dentist a chance to evaluate each other before making a long-term decision. Additionally, some dental practices will bring in locum tenens specialty dentists — endodontists or periodontists — as needed rather than referring outpatients in need of such care.
Additional Physician Option: Locum Tenens
While you continue your dentistry job search for a full-time position, keep in mind that AMN Healthcare also provides great options for locum tenens. Begin the application process now, and then learn more about the flexible locums way to work from the links below.
- Locum Tenens: A great option for temporary dental jobs while you continue your permanent job search.
- EAP: Our locum tenens gain access to a valuable set of Employee Assistance Program benefits.
- Dentist Jobs: Explore dentist jobs and learn about hourly salaries and the benefits of working locum tenens.
- Search All Dentist Jobs: Uncover new possibilities in your dental career by exploring both short and long-term options and permanent choices.
- Candidate Benefits: AMN Healthcare takes care of our locum tenens with a variety of amazing benefits. Check out what's in store for our locums.
- Licensing: Check out how we help move your career in amazing directions, both professionally and geographically.
- More Resources: Use the content here to learn everything you need to know about our recruitment process.
