From 1 to 50: The Best and Worst States to Work in a Dental Practice
For many of us, we’re pretty partial to where we live and work. We think it’s a great place with a lot of great features. Maybe you love that you’re close to the mountains or ocean. Maybe you love the big-city vibe or the small-town feel. Maybe you think this is the best place to raise a family or the best place to be single and free. Maybe, just maybe, it’s the place where you were born and raised and you can’t imagine living anywhere else.
For many of us, we’re pretty partial to where we live and work. We think it’s a great place with a lot of great features. Maybe you love that you’re close to the mountains or ocean. Maybe you love the big-city vibe or the small-town feel. Maybe you think this is the best place to raise a family or the best place to be single and free. Maybe, just maybe, it’s the place where you were born and raised and you can’t imagine living anywhere else.
All of those things are great—but is where you are right now a great place to work in a dental practice? Have you ever thought about that? We did, and we used a set of 10 “measuring sticks” to help us build our inaugural list of the best and worst states to work in a dental practice.
The 10 things we looked at to determine our rankings were:
- Percentage of population who visited the dentist within the past year
- Median income
- Population’s confidence in the United States economy
- Percentage of population worried about money
- Percentage of population without insurance
- Population’s overall well being
- Cost of living
- Education level of patients
- Violent crime per 100,000 residents
- Percentage of population on Medicaid
We looked at each state using these 10 criteria and gave each state a number from one to 50 depending on their ranking, with 1 being the best and 50 being the worst. We then compiled the 10 number rankings for each state to give that state a “final score.” We ranked the states from one to 50 based on that final score to give us the best and worst states to work in a dental practice.
1. Minnesota
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Congratulations, Minnesota! You'll have to suffer through snowy winters, but high rankings in economic confidence, education level, and median income (first, second and eighth, respectively) make the Land of 10,000 Lake's the best state for dentists. The state boasts the fourth-lowest rate of uninsured residents (7.4 percent), and almost 75 percent of adults reported that they visited a dentist in the past year. Lakeside living never looked so good.
2. Iowa
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Iowa: 75% vowels, 100% awesome for dentists. While Iowa ranks in the middle of the pack for median income and financial concerns, high insurance percentages and lots of educated folks contributed to the Hawkeye State’s number two ranking. Iowa ranked ninth overall for dental visits and finished 16 out of 50 for general well-being, bumping this hearty Midwestern land to the number 2 slot.
T3. Hawaii
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"Aloha" can mean hello or goodbye, but dentists will definitely be using it to say the former to Hawaii! Ranking 31 out of 50 for the percentage of residents on Medicare, the Aloha State has an impressively low rate (just six percent) of uninsured residents. Hawaii also boasts high overall well-being (who wouldn't be happy in paradise?)—and, despite the high cost of island living, the second-lowest percentage of people worried about money. Surfers and hula dancers also still found time to go to the dentist, tying for 12th in percentage of visits.
T3. Nebraska
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Dentists may want to follow in the steps of Lewis and Clark in their exploration of fourth-ranked Nebraska. With a mid-table ranking of uninsured residents (26 out of 50), the Cornhuskers ranked 18th overall for visits to the dentist. Lower median incomes balanced out with a low cost of living to give Nebraska higher economic confidence (11th overall) and fewer money concerns (6th overall). Life on the prairie has never looked better for dentists!
5. Virginia
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The Mother of Presidents might also be becoming the mother of dentists, after its fifth-place ranking! Virginia's high cost of living (it's expensive to rub shoulders with all those POTUS types) may be contributing to 13% of the population being uninsured (just under the national average), and almost 35% of residents reporting they worried about money. However, high median income means plenty of money for tooth care, and Virginia tied for 12th for dental visits.
6. Utah
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While Utah ranked in the bottom half for insurance coverage and an above-average number of the state’s residents reported being worried about money, this mountain state ranked 16th for visits to the dentist. High education levels (go Cougars!) and low violent crime rates contributed to a high ranking for overall well-being, putting Utah in the sixth spot overall.
7. Wisconsin
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It might sound cheesy, but although Wisconsin is at the bottom of the list alphabetically, America's Dairyland should rank high in the hearts of dentists. Despite above-average median income, the Badgers ranked 34 out of 50 for the percentage of residents on Medicare, which affected their overall rankings. Seventh overall, Wisconsin also ranked seventh in visits to the dentist, had a low percentage of uninsured residents, and ranked 16 out of 50 for overall well-being. Milwaukee, here we come.
8. New Hampshire
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Ranking fifth in overall dental visits, the Granite State is a solid place for dentists. New Hampshire boasts the second-highest median income, but the high cost of living might be a deterrent for some (all that skiing gets expensive). The big price tag may also contribute to the high number of residents concerned about money (37.3%), and a middle-of-the-table level of confidence in the economy. However, this tiny state's high rankings in education and low percentages of violent crime and Medicare (ranking third and first respectively) make New Hampshire an attractive option.
T9. Colorado
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High cost of living and below-average numbers of dental visits push Colorado down the icy slopes to ninth on the list. However, with high median income and economic confidence numbers, and a high ranking of overall well-being (ninth, fifth and sixth of 50, respectively), Colorado boasts a below-average number of Broncos that are uninsured or expressed financial concerns. And hey, we hear the scenery is breathtaking.
T9. North Dakota
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High economic confidence and few financial concerns push this sparsely populated state to 10th on the list. Though North Dakota has the 15th highest median income, these neighbors of Canada have an above-average cost of living and 14.1% of residents are uninsured. Ranking right in the middle at 25th for dental visits, North Dakota has the third-lowest percentage of Medicare users. Downside: We hear there's not much to do up there in the Peace Garden State.
11. Wyoming
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Wyoming, Wyoming, home to Yellowstone and more mountains than you can count. Coming in at 14th for median income and sixth in terms of economic confidence, the United States' least-populated state seems like it might have more bison than people. However, the folks who do live there ranked eighth for the percentage of the population on Medicare, and 28th for visits to the dentist.
12. Vermont
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Tucked away way up in New England, the Green Mountain State came in fourth among the states for the lowest percentage of uninsured. Frequently snowed-in Vermont also ranked second for the least violent crime and fifth for education level. All that tasty maple syrup led Vermont citizens to frequent the dentist, ranking 11th in terms of visits.
13. Maryland
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Money seems to be no issue for the Orioles, who came in first for median income and second in terms of economic confidence, despite the high cost of living in the Chesapeake Bay State. When not enjoying delicious blue crab, Marylanders frequent the dentist, placing sixth overall in visits to get their teeth checked. So pull out a crab bib: If you don't mind a little violent crime, Maryland might be the perfect east coast state for your dental practice.
14. Washington
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If you don't mind living in the shadow of a volcano, Washington State is an above-average option for dentists. Ranking 18th in visits to the dentist, this coastal state has a high median income and a population that's confident in both the economy and their decision to live under the constant threat of erupting lava. Ranked 27th for the percentage of its population on Medicare, the Evergreen State came in at 12th overall for the percentage of uninsured. Go Seahawks!
15. Connecticut
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Another New England gem, Connecticut placed second among the states in both visits to the dentist and low percentage of uninsured. However, the Constitution State lagged behind some of its New England neighbors due to a very high cost of living (49th out of 50!). On a positive note, Connecticutians did rank third in terms of median income.
16. New Jersey
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The Garden State is more than just a home for New York sports teams: It's also an above-average state for dentists. New Jersey placed first for education level and fifth for median income. Perhaps thanks to the regularity of tooth-loss-related escapades of the NHL's New Jersey Devils, the state ranked eighth for visits to the dentist. However, low rankings in overall well-being and cost of living dropped this small state down to 16th place..
17. Massachusetts
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Home to prestigious institutes such as Harvard and M.I.T., the Bay State boasts residents that seem to be incredibly intelligent when it comes to dental care, ranking first in both visits to the dentist and the percentage of uninsured. A high cost of living rightfully instills money worries in a large number of residents, but at least they've got the Patriots and Red Sox to (usually) keep their spirits up. Thanks, Tom Brady!
T18.
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Juneau that Alaska is the top state for overall well-being? The northernmost state also ranked third for education level but came in at a lowly 23rd for visits to the dentist. In addition to all the snow and ice, residents also battle the high cost of living on the tundra, as Alaska ranks 47th for cost of living. But it's not all frigid news: The arctic wonderland has the seventh-highest median income. Time to bust out your snowmobile!
T18. South Dakota
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South Dakota ranks 12th for education level but 25th for violent crime. However, Mount Rushmore shouldn't be the only draw for prospective residents: This grassland state ranked 10th overall in visits to the dentist, despite its #27 ranking for median income and low confidence in the economy.
T20. Kansas
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The fine folks of this Midwestern state have it pretty good. Their cost of living is in the nation’s Top 10 (#9 overall) and not many people are on Medicare compared to the rest of the country. However, there’s also an interesting paradox happening: The population of the Sunflower State isn’t very worried about money), but simultaneously doesn’t have much confidence in the economy either (#34 overall).
T20. Montana
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Despite ranking near the bottom of median income (40th out of 50 states), residents of the Big Sky State are laid back about money (they rank fourth in the nation for lack of financial worry). Montana also ranks in the top five for overall well-being and has a very low number of people on Medicare. However, this mountainous region is in the bottom 20 percent of states for people who are uninsured. Take care when hiking those peaks!
22. Rhode Island
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Although the tiniest state ranks in the top five in the country for visits to the dentist, the fact that the cost of living is so high (42 out of 50 where the cheapest is the highest rank) drops their overall ranking. That also may be why, despite having a respectable ranking when it comes to median income, Rhode Islanders have low economic confidence. But hey, they were number one of the 13 original colonies!
23. Oregon
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Portland has made Oregon a trendy place to live - but perhaps too trendy, as Oregon is now more expensive in terms of cost of living than Massachusetts, Maryland, and Oregon’s neighbor to the north, Washington. Hence, the Beaver State doesn’t rank well in terms of people worried about money. Additionally, the state ranks somewhere in the middle for visits to the dentist and median income, perhaps suggesting why its overall ranking is nearly middle-of-the-pack - something the Trail Blazers are working hard to change.
T24. Illinois
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Despite being home to bustling Chicago, Illinois doesn’t particularly distinguish itself in any of our 10 categories-but then, it doesn’t rank particularly low either! They don’t have many money worries-their median income rank is a respectable 22-but the over well-being of residents is lower (the Land of Lincoln ranks just 36th in this category).
T24. Maine
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If snow, moose, and proximity to Canada are high on your "must-have" list then Maine is for you. In regards to rankings, however, the Pine Tree State is rather bland, neither impressing nor disappointing in many of our categories (#29 in visits to the dentist, #28 in median income, etc.)-with a couple of notable exceptions. Despite being home to Stephen King and his horror stories, Maine has the least amount of violent crime in any state in the country. But it is also in the top 20 percent of having the most people on Medicaid.
26. Pennslyvania
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The leading manufacturer of pretzels and potato chips—and home to Hershey's, Mars, and Godiva—Pennsylvania has citizens that are good about visits to the dentist-the state ranks 15th in the nation in terms of office visits. But, that treat-fueled good oral hygiene number is offset in our rankings by a lower-ranking for overall well-being, and a high cost of living. Still, stop by for a cheesesteak and a Yuengling!
27. Delaware
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As the first state, Delaware has had some extra time to figure things out and does a lot of things well-it ranks in the top 10 in terms of having a lower number of uninsured people, and not many people seem to be worried about money. But, it’s in the top 10 percent of states with violent crime and has a large population on Medicaid. It’s a mixture of positive and negative factors that affect the residents of this original colony.
28. Michigan
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Wolverine pride! The Great Lake State is a cheap place to live, but it’s also a state with very low overall well-being. Home to the dogged Red Wings, Michigan has a population that seems to visit the dentist fairly regularly (its rank is 17th), but a population with a high percentage of people on Medicaid. It also has a high rate of violent crime, which drags down its overall rating.
29. Idaho
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Idahoans enjoy a never-ending supply of potatoes and one of the cheapest places to live, in terms of cost of living-the state ranks third in the nation! But, that’s coupled with one of the worst rankings when it comes to worrying about money. The Gem State might be cheaper, but it doesn’t mean people aren’t concerned about their finances. The state also has a very high rate of people on Medicaid.
T30. Ohio
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Despite being the birthplace of aviation, Ohio doesn't fly very high in our rankings. The Buckeye State ranks very low (39) in median income and near the bottom (47) in overall well-being (unsurprising when you take into account the unending despair caused by the Cleveland Browns). The state does have a pretty good rate of people who are insured (it’s number 15 in the nation), but factors like economic condition and financial worry pull down Ohio’s overall ranking. There's always next year...
T30. Texas
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Everything's bigger in Texas—except when it comes to the number of dental visits. That said, the Lone Star State is right in the very middle in terms of median income and way up near the top for economic confidence. However, the home of the Alamo is also home to the very bottom level of education and uninsured patients. In the land of Cowboys and Spurs, visits to the dentist are few and far between. This may be a state that needs additional education on the importance of oral health.
32. Indiana
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Host to those with a need for speed, Indiana is the fourth-best in the nation is in terms of cost of living, yet it ranks just 34th in dental visits. The Hoosier residents rank right in the middle of the pack in terms of being worried about money, and near the bottom for overall well-being, which may be a factor why some choose not to visit the dentist regularly.
33. North Carolina
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Whether you prefer mountains or beaches, North Carolina has something for you - unless you're looking for high median incomes or insured rates, which are startlingly low. Ranked 16th overall in well-being and 23rd in cost of living means that, on average, Tar Heel residents are doing quite well. That said, dental visits haven't really taken off in this first-in-flight state: North Carolina is just 32nd in dental visits.
34. California
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Prospects in the Golden State look bright, as it ranks number three in economic confidence and ninth in overall well-being—at least until you look at the exorbitant cost of living and low education levels. While you may be blinded by the stars in Tinsel Town, you'd also have to be blind to not cringe at Cali's bottom-of-the-barrel ranking for the percentage of patients on Medicaid. Hollywood, here we come...?
35. Missouri
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The Show-Me State proudly shows off a respectable cost of living ranking, coming in at 17 out of 50 states. But there's a long road ahead of Missouri in terms of health and well-being: This starting-point state for the Oregan Trail is ranked 41st in overall well-being and 40th in the economic confidence index, which may be a reason they are just 35th in dental visits. While it's not the worst option for dentists, it might be best to harness your oxen and take your wagon elsewhere.
36. New York
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While New York has a lot to offer, this pricey state ranks 48th in cost of living. Home to NYU, "Law & Order" and more celebrities than you can count, the Empire State is also host to a large percentage of people on Medicaid, ranking 42nd overall. Money concerns drop New York to a 38th place ranking in financial concerns, pushing New York into the bottom quarter of the rankings. On the upside, Beyonce might be your patient.
37. Georgia
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Things aren't looking as peachy as they could be in Georgia for the large portion of the population that is uninsured (ranked second-worst on our list). Unfortunately, this southern gem finds itself down a bit in the overall rankings; despite the lower cost of living – ranked 16th – educational levels, median incomes, and dental visit rankings are all in the 30s. As such, you might not want to have Georgia on your mind when it comes to practicing dentistry.
38. Florida
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Sunshine State residents have a sunny outlook on the economy (ranking 15th), but Florida’s overall ranking is hurt by the percentage of uninsured (46th) and scarce visits to the dentist (42nd). Despite the risk of gators and panthers, residents seem to be enjoying the abundance of vitamin C and are faring well: The state is right in the middle of the pack for overall well-being.
39. Arizona
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Much like the Grand Canyon, Arizona has sunk deep. Although the southwest state is doing all right in terms of financial concerns (18th) and overall well-being (16th), other factors pull down the state’s overall marks. This desert land ranked 48th in percentage of the population on Medicaid and 45th in percentage of uninsured. On a positive note, their arena football league has won five championships, so there's that.
40. Nevada
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Dentistry in Nevada is a real gamble. While the home of Las Vegas has a low percentage of the population on Medicaid and high economic confidence (put it all on black!), other categories are much bleaker (you shouldn't have put it all on black). The Silver State's luck has not been great, and it ranks a lowly 40th in visits to the dentist, financial concerns, and uninsured rates.
41. Kentucky
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Number 6 in cost of living. Number 8 in violent crime. Number 1 in beautiful horse farms. There are positives for Kentucky. Two rankings of #49, however, in money worries and overall well-being sink the Bluegrass State deep in our list.
42. New Mexico
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The Land of Enchantment must draw plenty of its residents outside as New Mexico ranks #9 in overall well-being. It’s also a great place for cost of living (#13 nationally) but the state ranks 42nd or lower in five of the 10 categories.
43. South Carolina
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Those who live in the Palmetto State do not have much faith in where our national economy is heading (ranking dead last among all of the states). South Carolina's highest ranking comes in overall well-being. Yes, there are healthy patients... when they come to the dentist. South Carolinians don’t visit the dentist that often (ranked #43 among all the states).
44. Alabama
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Five out of 10 categories show Alabama ranked 45th or lower among all the states. That makes it tough for Alabama to climb very high in our list. However, it ranks 10th in cost of living and 20th in people worried about the economy. Take solace in that, and that football season isn’t far away. Roll Tide.
45. Oklahoma
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It’s where the wind comes sweeping down the plains (sometimes too fast during April and May when tornadoes take aim at the Sooner State) and it’s also a cheap place to live (#5 nationally in cost of living). However, Oklahoma ranks 41st or lower in five categories, including 47th in the percentage of uninsured citizens.
46. Tennessee
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From Graceland to Gatlinburg, Tennessee is a great place to get a bargain for your money as the state is number 2 in cost of living. But, wow Volunteers, it gets tough after that. Tennessee’s next highest ranking was #35 (percentage of uninsured citizens).
47. West Virginia
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We’ll say one thing about the Mountaineers, there are fewer uninsured people in the state than people might guess (#17 nationally). Throw in a pair of #24 rankings for violent crime and cost of living and the folks in West Virginia can claim to be in the upper half in three categories. However, a pair of last-place rankings (in overall well-being and economic confidence) sunk the state near the bottom of our list.
48. Arkansas
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Sooooooooooie! The Natural State truly has some of the best nature spots in the country. Combine that with a low cost of living (#12 nationally) and Arkansas is a great mostly undiscovered spot for tourists. We’re not sure that that helps in terms of owning a dental practice or working in one, but we’re trying to help as best as we can.
49. Mississippi
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Hey Mississippi, take some solace from knowing that there is nowhere else in the country where it’s cheaper to live than your fine state. You’re also ranked in a decent position (#15) when it comes to violent crime. After that...well...let’s just focus on the positives.
50. Louisiana
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The land of Cajuns (those who are Ragin’ and those who give the state so much of its flavor) ranks 20th in cost of living. After that, Louisiana didn’t rank higher than 40th in any other category. We wish the news was better but we will gladly help you drown your sorrows in Hurricanes on Bourbon Street any time.
