From Connecticut to Arkansas, dental health rankings reveal significant regional variations
“In certain states, a significant portion of the population avoids dentist visits due to fear,” the report said.
The dental health of Americans is determined in part by where they live. Connecticut residents enjoy the best dental health in the nation, while Arkansas ranks dead last.
“In the United States, the number of dental professionals per capita varies significantly by region, which not only makes dental services more accessible and affordable in some areas but also impacts overall dental health,” according to a new report from Dentaly, a resource for comprehensive information about oral and dental health. “The presence of fluoridated water, crucial for preventing tooth decay, also differs widely; some states have nearly universal coverage while others do not.
“Additionally, dental care coverage under Medicaid varies greatly, with some states offering no coverage, others only covering emergencies and some providing comprehensive benefits.”
Dental health habits also vary by region. “In certain states, a significant portion of the population avoids dentist visits due to fear,” the report said. “Meanwhile, in other states, a higher number of people recognize and engage in preventive dental care, helping to reduce overall dental health issues.”
The overall rankings reflect these regional differences. Joining Connecticut in the top three are the District of Columbia and Massachusetts, and West Virginia and Louisiana rank just above Arkansas at the bottom. Illinois dropped to fifth and Minnesota and Wisconsin exited the top five, reflecting decline in dental health in these states since 2018.
Researchers, using data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, looked deeper in several factors that contribute to oral health.
- Number of dentists per 100,00 residents. The District of Columbia has the most with 104, which is 2.5 times more than Alabama, with just 41. Best: District of Columbia, Massachusetts and Alaska. Worst: Mississippi, Arkansas and Alabama.
- Dental consultation frequency per person. Best: Connecticut, Massachusetts and Hawaii; Worst: Texas, West Virginia and Arkansas.
- Current cigarette smoking among adults. Best: Utah, California and Massachusetts. Worst: Louisiana, Kentucky and West Virginia.
- Sugar consumption. Best: Oregon, Washington and Montana. Worst: Oklahoma, Mississippi and Kentucky.
Related: Insurance coverage influences frequency of dental visits by older adults
- Alcohol consumption. Best: Utah, Maryland and Idaho. Worst: Montana, Vermont and New Hampshire.
- Water fluoridation. One hundred percent of District of Columbia residents receive fluoridated water, which is nearly 12 times higher than Hawaii, the lowest-ranking state with 8.5%. Best: District of Columbia, Kentucky and Minnesota. Worst: Oregon, New Jersey and Hawaii.
- Oral health conditions: Best: Connecticut, District of Columbia and Massachusetts. Worst: Louisiana, West Virginia and Arkansas.