How Many Dental Clinics Are There in the US? (2024 Statistics & Trends)

Table of Contents

• Solo vs. Group Practices
• Dental Service Organizations (DSOs)
• Specialty vs. General Dentistry Clinics
• Public Health Clinics & FQHCs

• State-by-State Variation
• Urban vs. Rural Disparities
• Unmet Needs and Health Disparities

• Growth and Consolidation
• Technological Advancements
• Workforce Dynamics
• Economic Factors

Introduction: The Current Landscape of US Dental Clinics

Whenever someone asks me, “How many dental clinics are there in the US?” I can tell you—the number is huge. As of 2024, there are about 190,000 to 200,000 set-up dental offices across the country. That number comes from official places like the American Dental Association (ADA) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and it shows the size of the dental world in the US.

But this number is not just random. Knowing how many dental offices we have—and what kinds—matters for anyone curious about going to the dentist or even working in the field. Students looking to become dentists, people thinking of putting money in dental businesses, or families just wanting to find a dentist nearby all find these numbers helpful.

In this article, I’ll break down the numbers, talk about the differences between types of dental offices, share what I’ve seen in my work, and explain the big trends that are changing US dental care. By the end, you’ll get a clear picture of the dental market, top to bottom.

Key Statistics: Total Number of Dental Practices in the US

A lot of people think “practice” and “clinic” mean the same thing. While most folks use both words for a dentist’s office, this is what I think: A dental clinic is the place where you go to see a dentist, and a dental practice means the business side—a dentist or a group of dentists running things. But when you see data, most sources don’t keep them apart.

• Estimated Clinics/Practices Across the Country: Between 190,000 and 200,000
• Source: ADA Health Policy Institute (HPI) & BLS, latest up to 2023.

That might seem like a lot, especially when you hear there are a little over 204,000 active dentists. How come the numbers are so close? Many clinics only have one dentist, while some have a few working together.

Dentist-to-Population Ratio: The Big Picture

The US has about 60–65 dentists for every 100,000 people. Big cities give you lots of choices. In country towns, it’s harder to find someone. This number tells us a lot about how easy it is to get dental help.

But watch out: some states like Massachusetts and California have way more dentists than others, like Mississippi or Arkansas. This really matters for health and who gets care.

Breakdown by Practice Type and Ownership Models

The US dental world is not all the same. Over the years, I’ve seen big changes—especially with who runs these offices and how they’re set up.

Solo vs. Group Practices

Years ago, most dentists worked by themselves. They owned and ran their clinic, maybe with a helper. Now, things are different.

• Solo Practices: About 46–48% of US dental places are still run by just one dentist. This used to be over 60% back in the early 2000s.
• Group Practices: Now, about 50–52% of places are group offices, where a few dentists team up. Sometimes these are chains; other times, it’s just a small group of partners.

The Shift I’ve Seen

Why don’t new dentists want to run things alone? Running an office by yourself is tough. Bills, paperwork, insurance—it adds up. Many new grads just want to focus on treating patients and having free time—which is easier in a group.

Pros of Solo Practice:

• Total control, make your own choices
• Build solid relationships with patients

Cons of Solo Practice:

• All the business stress is on you
• Hard to keep up with tools and rules

Pros of Group Practice:

• Share bills and equipment
• Backup from others and a place to learn

Cons of Group Practice:

• Less say in how things are done
• You might argue with partners sometimes

I know dentists who love being on their own, but lots of others really like having coworkers.

Dental Service Organizations (DSOs): The Game Changers

Now, this is a big thing. Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) help run the business and office stuff for clinics, so dentists can just work on teeth.

• DSO-affiliated Practices: 20–25% of all clinics (and growing fast)
• DSO-employed Dentists: 15–20% of all dentists

Groups like Heartland Dental, Aspen Dental, and Pacific Dental Services are leading the way. In my view, DSOs are so big now because there’s so much paperwork and business stuff to handle. For many clinics, having help really makes a difference.

Impact on the Market:

• More offices joining big groups
• Prices can be lower, but maybe less of that personal touch

Specialty vs. General Dentistry Clinics

Most dental places do regular stuff—cleanings, x-rays, fillings. But a decent number are specialists.

• General Dentists: 80–85% of clinics
• Specialties: 15–20% (braces, gum dentists, surgeons, root canal doctors, kids’ dentists, etc.)

Most people stick with a general dentist, but in the city, there are lots more specialty clinics than out in the country.

Public Health Clinics & Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)

We also have clinics just for those who can’t pay much or don’t have insurance:

• Community Health Centers (with dental): Over 1,400 groups run more than 12,000 locations.
• These clinics help millions, especially the ones who can’t get care anywhere else.

I’ve worked as a volunteer at these kinds of clinics, and I can say: the need is huge, and these places really do matter for families that would otherwise go without care.

Geographic Distribution and Access to Dental Care

Next, let’s talk about where all these clinics are.

State-by-State Variation

Some states have tons of dental offices. Others don’t.

• High-density states: Massachusetts, Connecticut, California—lots of dentists and big cities.
• Low-density states: Mississippi, Arkansas, West Virginia—usually have more country towns and not many dental schools.

A lot depends on things like if a state has a dental college and how many people live there.

Urban vs. Rural Disparities

I’ve worked in the city and done some work in small towns. In the city, you see dentists everywhere. In country areas, people might need to drive an hour just for a checkup.

These “dental deserts” make it real hard to get care fast or for a good price. ADA and HRSA say this is a problem in most states. Video dentist visits (teledentistry) and mobile vans help a bit, but they aren’t perfect answers.

Unmet Needs and Health Disparities

Sadly, millions of Americans have a tough time getting dental care. It’s not just about where you live; money, insurance, and knowing what to do matter too. Black, Hispanic, Native American, and low-income groups have it the hardest, which is why more public clinics are so important.

Trends Shaping the US Dental Clinic Landscape

Want to know what’s coming next in dental offices? Here are the things I see the most.

Growth and Consolidation

• Every year, the US dental world gets bigger, with a 5–7% yearly growth in money spent on dental care.
• At the same time, more clinics are joining big companies or merging with others.
• Big money from private firms is now in the mix. I’ve seen offices get bought out and joined with others—it means small, family-owned clinics are getting rare.

Technological Advancements

Dentistry has changed a lot with technology.

What I’ve Seen in Digital Dentistry

I remember when digital x-rays and online files were brand new. Now, digital dental lab services help clinics make crowns and bridges faster and more accurately. Teledentistry is a huge help for people who live far from a dentist. And having new things like 3D printing for teeth is amazing.

Clinics using these digital services can do a better job and make patients happier.

Workforce Dynamics

• More dentists are retiring, but new dentists are also graduating.
• Dental hygienists and assistants are more important now, especially in big clinics.
• Offices want more helpers as they offer longer hours and more services.

Economic Factors

Can’t forget about money. Rising costs, less workers, and changing insurance rules all make things tricky.

• Bills and costs are eating into profits, especially for small clinics.
• Dental insurance—government or private—controls how many patients clinics see and what they can get.
• A lot of people wait to go to the dentist because they can’t afford it.

Factors Influencing the Number of Dental Clinics

Why does the number of clinics go up or down? It’s a mix of things.

Population Growth & Demographics

• Older people: More seniors means more teeth repairs and cosmetic work.
• Population movement: Folks are moving south and west—so are new clinics.

Regulatory Environment

• State rules: Some states make it easy to open a clinic; others have more hoops.
• What assistants can do: In some states, helpers are allowed to do more, so clinics can help more people.

Dental Education & Workforce Pipeline

• The number of dental schools and grads matters.
• Keeping dentists in rural places continues to be tough.

Investment & Business Climate

• Cheap loans and lots of demand attract private money and new owners.
• New gadgets and ways to pay make opening or growing an office easier.
• Industries like the dental ceramics lab and other dental labs really matter, too. In my office, working with a good lab has made a big difference for my patients.

Conclusion: The Evolving Future of Dental Care in the US

To wrap up, here’s what stands out:

• There are about 190,000 to 200,000 dental clinics in the US.
• The business is moving from single dentists to group clinics, and big companies (DSOs) are growing fast.
• City folks have tons of choices, but rural places are still left behind.
• Technology, business changes, and dentist team trends are deciding how we all get dental care.

Looking ahead, I think even more clinics will join groups or big organizations. Tech will get even smarter. Clinics will use cool stuff like digital scans and instant lab talks, maybe even computers that help dentists find problems (AI). Places that work with an advanced china dental lab or use 3D printing will stay on top.

But some problems are going to stick around for a while. People who can’t afford care, places with no clinics, and health gaps will need more than just more offices. In my years in dentistry, I think the personal side—trust, care, and a strong support team—matters more than anything.

If you want to learn about special dental services (like dental implant), new tools, or running a dental office, there’s lots of info out there. But no matter how much things change, dental offices are still at the heart of healthy smiles in America. And I feel lucky (even if it’s sometimes stressful!) to be part of it.