The best and worst states to work in a dental practice: 2017

Whether you’re a big-city person or a suburbanite through and through, we all have our personal preferences when it comes to where we call home.

Maybe you can’t imagine leaving your home state, moving to a rural area or navigating your way through a busy metropolis. Perhaps the idea of trudging through Northern snow makes you shiver with revulsion, or the sound of a dry heat makes you break out in a nervous sweat. But is your favorite place to live actually the best place to work?  

Regardless of your preferences or reasons for living where you do, you may not actually be in a great place to work in a dental practice! Back in 2015, we took a look at which states were the most favorable for dental professionals-and this year, decided it was time to update that list. Using a set of 11 criteria, we examined the best and worst states to work in a dental practice.  

Related reading: The best and worst states to work in a dental practice: 2015

The 11 criteria we examined were:

• Median income

• Percentage of population who visited the dentist in the past year

• Population’s dental habits

• Population’s level of oral health

• Percentage of population that is uninsured

• Percentage of population on Medicaid

• Cost of living

• Education level of patients

• Crime statistics

• Population’s overall well-being

• Population’s financial savviness

We assessed each of these categories and gave each state a ranking between one and 50 (with one being the best and 50 the worst). Then, we compiled the number rankings for each state to come up with a final score. As in golf, the lower the better! We then ranked the states from one to 50 based on that final score to find out which states were the best and worst to work in a dental practice. Interestingly, the list was largely different from what it was in 2015-and the results may surprise you!

Read on to see where your state ranked and why it ended up where it did on our national rankings.

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Congrats to Minnesota! You'll have to suffer through some seriously snowy winters, but high rankings in education, dentist-visiting residents and financial savvy (eighth, third and first respectively) make the Land of 10,000 Lake's the best state for dentists. The state boasts the fourth lowest rate of uninsured residents, and has the lowest percentage of adults with poor or fair oral condition in the entire country. And the snow must not be getting people down: Minnesota ranked first in overall happiness and general well-being.

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Well done Connecticut: The New England state moved from 15th place in our 2015 rankings, to the prestigious 2017 silver medal. Ranking fifth in median income, the state has the third-lowest crime ranking in the country. Additionally, more Constitution State residents visited the dentist in the past year than folks in any other state. Ranking number two in oral health and fourth in education level, the state’s big downside is its price tag: Connecticut has the fourth-highest cost of living in the United States.

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(tied with Massachusetts and New Hampshire)

Iowa: 75% vowels, 100% awesome for dentists. Although it’s dropped one slot from its number two ranking in 2015, Iowans boast the third-best dental habits in the country. While the Hawkeye State ranks in the middle of the pack for median income and education levels, high insurance percentages and low crime statistics contributed to the state’s number three ranking. Iowa ranked 12th overall for dental visits and finished 14 out of 50 for general well being, bumping this hearty Midwestern land to the number three slot.

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(tied with Iowa and New Hampshire)

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 second in both visits to the dentist and first in the percentage of uninsured. A high cost of living rightfully is marginally offset by high levels of financial savvy, but at least they've got the Patriots Super Bowl victory keep their spirits up. One other low ranking: Massachusetts ranked 42 out of 50 for percentage of residents on Medicaid, with 23 percent of residents utilizing the service.

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(tied with Massachusetts and Iowa)

Tied with Iowa and its letter-heavy New England compatriot for third overall, New Hampshire is a solid place for dentists. The Granite state boasts the seventh 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 financial savvy of NH residents, who ranked second overall in knowledge of how to stretch their money. New Hampshire also has the highest percentage of adolescents who visited a dentist in the past year, but despite the teens good dental attendance, overall ranks slightly below the middle of the pack for overall oral health. However, this tiny state's high rankings in education and low percentages on Medicaid (ranking sixth and fifth respectively) make New Hampshire an attractive option.

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The Garden State is more than just a home for New York sports teams: It's also a great state for dentists. Jumping up from an overall 16th place finish in 2015, New Jersey placed fourth for both best oral health and median income. Perhaps thanks to the regularity of tooth-loss-related escapades of the NHL's New Jersey Devils, the state ranked ninth for visits to the dentist. However, a low ranking for insured residents and abysmal dental habits dropped this small state off of the podium.

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Wisconsin should be known for its consistency, tastiness of cheese and rankings for dental professionals: America’s Dairyland ranked seventh for the second time in a row. Despite average median income and excellent dental habits, the Badgers landed in the middle of the pack for cost of living and crime, which affected their overall rankings. Wisconsin also ranked 11th in visits to the dentist (with 70.1% of adults visiting the dentist in the past year), had a low percentage of uninsured residents and ranked 16 out of 50 for overall well-being. Milwaukee, here we come.

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Although Virginia skulks at the end of the alphabet, it’s near the top of our list. The Mother of Presidents might also be becoming the mother of dentists, after its eighth-place ranking! Virginia's high percentage of uninsured and high cost of living may be the cause for the 22nd-place finish in overall well-being; however, high median income means plenty of money for tooth care, and Virginia finished 14th for visits to the dentist and second for best oral health.

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Money seems to be no issue for the Orioles, who came in first for median income, despite the high cost of living in the Chesapeake Bay State. When not enjoying delicious blue crab, Marylanders frequent the dentist, placing ninth overall in visits to get their teeth checked and tenth for good dental habits. 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.

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Rhode Island has jumped up the ranks from 22nd in 2015, to have the fourth best dental habits in the country. 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 median financial savvy and low overall well-being. Other bonus: Rhode Island has the fourth-lowest crime rate. And hey, they were number one of the 13 original colonies!

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Dropping one spot from 2015, few financial concerns and the country’s lowest percentage of residents on Medicaid push this sparsely populated state to 11th on the list. Though North Dakota has the 16th highest median income, these neighbors of Canada have an above average cost of living. Another downside: We hear there's not much to do up there in the Peace Garden State, which might contribute to its abysmal 44th place finish on overall well-being. Ranking right in the middle at 25th for dental visits, North Dakotans has the fifth best dental habits in the country.

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“Aloha” can mean hello or goodbye, but you will definitely be using it in the latter sense when it comes to your money on this pricey island.The most expensive state to live in, Hawaii also ranks dead last for dental habits. Ranking 19 out of 50 for percentage of residents on Medicare, the Aloha State has an impressively low rate (just three percent) of uninsured residents. Hawaii also boasts the second-highest high overall well-being (who wouldn't be happy in paradise?, and has the sixth-highest percentage of residents who visited the dentist.

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Tucked away way up in New England, the Green Mountain State came in second among the states for the lowest percentage of uninsured. Frequently snowed-in Vermont also ranked first for the least crime and fifth for education level. All that tasty maple syrup led Vermont citizens to frequent the dentist, ranking fourth in terms of visits-but it also landed them in 34th place for overall oral health.

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(tied with Nebraska)

Despite being home to bustling Chicago, Illinois doesn’t particularly distinguish itself in many of our 10 categories-but then, it doesn’t rank particularly low either! Folks in Illinois have the best oral health in the country, probably stemming from their high-ranking dental habits, and enjoy an average cost of living. Average rankings for residents on Medicaid or uninsured bring the Land of Lincoln down, and may contribute to the low number of people who visited the dentist last year (Illinois ranked 32 out of 50 in this category). 

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(tied with Illinois)

Dentists may want to follow in the steps of Lewis and Clark in their exploration of 14th-ranked Nebraska. With mid-table rankings oral health and number of people visiting the dentist, Cornhuskers ranked 11th overall for good dental habits. Lower median incomes balanced out with a low cost of living, leaving residents with good overall well-being. And with a noteworthy fifth place finish for fewest number of people on Medicaid, life on the prairie has never looked better for dentists!

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Wyoming

The fine folks of this Midwestern state have it pretty good. Their cost of living is in the nation’s Top 10 (#8 overall) and few people are on Medicaid compared to the rest of the country. Average crime and overall well-being rankings were balanced out by high education levels and financial savvy, which brought Kansas up four places from its 20th-place finish in 2015.

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High cost of living and poor overall oral health push Colorado down the icy slopes to 17th on the list. However, with high median income and education levels, and a high ranking of overall well-being (11th, third and third of 50, respectively), Colorado boasts a below-average number of Broncos that are uninsured. And hey, we hear the scenery is breathtaking.

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While Utah ranked in the bottom half for insurance coverage and oral health, this mountain state ranked 15th for visits to the dentist. High education levels (go Cougars!) and above-average median income contributed to a high ranking for overall well-being, but a high number of uninsured citizens and low financial savvy brought Utah down to the 18th spot overall.

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Remaining steady at number 19, North Dakota's southern sister ranks 32nd for education level and 29th for violent crime, both statistics that drove its overall ranking lower. However, Mount Rushmore shouldn't be the only draw for prospective residents: This grassland state ranked ninth in overall well-being and eighth in visits to the dentist, despite its #28 ranking for median income and a below average rank for cost of living (#34). 

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New York jumped up significantly from our 2015 rankings-from number 36 to number 20. That’s despite having the second-highest cost of living, and ranking 45th in patients on Medicaid. However, those numbers are evened out by high numbers of New Yorkers who practice good dental habits (#7) and are financially savvy (#5). New York also, perhaps surprisingly to viewers of literally any crime show, ranks in the top five for low crime concerns and community safety, though some of that is no doubt thanks to the upstate folks. And, if this survey were entirely ranked upon the best pizza, they would be number one without a doubt.

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If you don't mind living in the shadow of a volcano, Washington State is a slightly above-average option for dentists. Ranking 18th in visits to the dentist, this coastal state in the top 10 of median income, and boasts a well-educated population with excellent oral health. Despite that oral health ranking, Washington still ranks 36th in dental habits, and has a significant population on Medicaid. Plus, the cost of living ranks near the bottom of the list, at number 37. Turns out it’s expensive to be a Seahawks fan.

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As the first state, Delaware might find its position at number 22 disappointing-but fear not Delawarites (Delawarians? Delawarans? Who can know?), your state still ranks in the top 10 of lowest number of uninsured! Plus, it’s in the top 10 percent for safety and crime, but ranks 33 in cost of living. It’s a mixture of positive and negative factors that affect residents of this original colony.

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Whether they’re fans of the Stillers or the Birds, Pennsylvanians rank precisely in the middle of the pack when it comes to dental health. While Pennsylvania ranks in the top 15 for lowest number of uninsured people, that good rating is offset in our rankings by a high cost of living (#35) and a lower overall well-being ranking (#38). However, the residents of the Keystone State do rank in the top 10 for financial savviness, so at the very least that should help with the cost of living. Either way, a state responsible for cheesesteak and Yuengling is alright by us.

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That State Up North might be known for their sports and their beer (along with, you know, a world-class research institution in Ann Arbor), but it’s also one of the cheapest places to live in the country. That fact is tempered by the fact that Michigan is in the bottom 10 of overall well-being, and ranked 44 in safety and crime. Michigan does have pretty solid oral health (its rank is 11th in overall oral health and 12th in dental habits), but the state’s problems drag the Wolverine state into the middle of our rankings.

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Wyoming, home to Yellowstone and the best state flag in the union, took a tumble in our rankings (from 11 to 25). That’s likely because their rank in uninsured people dropped to #41, a significant fall. Additionally, Wyoming ranks just 40th in dental habits. However, the least-populated state does have some silver linings-the state has the lowest percentage of its population on Medicaid and it ranks in the top 20 for cost of living.

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Idahoans presumably enjoy a never-ending supply of potatoes and one of the cheapest places to live, in terms of cost of living-the state ranks sixth in the nation! But, that’s combined with a ranking in the bottom 10 of median income. The Gem State does rank 12th in oral health, but it has a large population of uninsured people and ranks low in financial savviness. But hey … potatoes are delicious.

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Though the Cavs and the Indians have given Ohioans reasons to hope (the less one thinks about the Bengals and Browns, the better), Ohio doesn't fare very well in our rankings. That is because the Buckeye state ranks very low (38) in percentage of the population on Medicaid and even lower (42) in overall well-being. The state does demonstrate excellent oral health at #8, but factors like lower median income and education level pull down Ohio’s overall ranking.

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Host to those with a need for speed, Indiana is the second best in the nation is in terms of cost of living, yet it ranks just 36th in dental visits. Indiana residents rank below average in median income and financial savviness, which may be factors why some choose not to visit the dentist regularly. However, with top-20 rankings in both oral health and dental habits, there are certainly some silver linings for all those Hoosiers.

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Prospects in the Golden State look bright, as it ranks number nine in median income and fifth in overall well being ... at least until you look at the exorbitant cost of living and low oral health ranking. While you may be blinded by the stars in Tinsel Town, you'd also have to be blind to not cringe at Cali's near-bottom-of-the-barrel ranking for percentage of patients on Medicaid. At the very least, the people of California can take solace in their high ranking for financial savviness!

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Whether you prefer mountains or beaches, Tar Heels or Blue Devils, North Carolina has something for you-unless you're looking for high median incomes or insured rates, which are startlingly low. People in North Caroline do seem to care about dental habits (they rank 14th) but that doesn’t transition to overall oral health, where they rank 31. That could be because they also rank 31st in annual dental visits.

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Whether you love beer, good food, pine trees, wine or “artisan” products, Oregon has you covered. Much of its population is also “covered” (sorry) by insurance, as it ranks 18th nationwide in insurance coverage. However, the Beaver State ranks 36th in overall well-being, and 39th in cost of living, both lower numbers that brought its overall ranking down in model. The state does rank high in education level (at 12), but that’s balanced out by lower than average financial savviness and crime/safety scores.

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Over the last two years, Maine dropped from number 25 in our rankings to number 32. Why? Well, for starters, their overall well-being ranking dropped from 14 to 30. They also dropped in number of people who visited the dentist. However, the residents of the Pine Tree States have other things to be glad about (in addition to, you know, living in one of the most beautiful places in the world): Maine ranks in the top 10 in terms of safety, and its education and financial savviness rankings are respectable at 22. Unfortunately, those facts are coupled with a bottom-three finish in dental habits.

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Juneau that Alaska is the top three for median income? It’s true! The northernmost state also ranked #18 for overall well-being ... but came in at a lowly 46th for oral health. In addition to all the caribou and ice, residents also battle the high cost of living on the tundra, as Alaska ranks 46th for cost of living and an uninsured rate that’s second highest in the nation. Fortunately, Alaska also is in the top 20 for lowest percentage of its population on Medicaid, so there is a snow-covered silver lining! 

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The Show Me State proudly shows off a respectable cost of living ranking, coming in at 11 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 Oregon Trail is ranked 41st in overall well-being and 43rd in visits to the dentist, which may explain why they rank 32nd in dental habits. Missouri does, however, boast a top-five ranking in terms of percentage of their population on Medicaid. While it's not the worst option for dentists, it might be best to harness your oxen and take your wagon elsewhere.

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The Treasure State has found good fortune when it comes to education and the percent of people on Medicaid. However, the mountainous region has a stiff peak to climb in terms of dental habits (45th) and best oral health (48th), landing it in the middle of our rankings.

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Things are looking peachy for Georgia in terms of best oral health (17th) and the cost of living (14th). Unfortunately, the state ranks low for several other categories, including uninsured rates (47th) and financial savviness (45th), which means you may not want to have Georgia on your mind when it comes to finding a dental practice to work at.

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Known for its derby races and mint juleps, Kentucky fares well in cost of living, safety and crime, and uninsured rates. But the Bluegrass State’s rankings plummet for the remainder of the categories, making it fall behind the rest of the pack in this race.

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Everything’s bigger in Texas -- except when it comes to the number of people visiting the dentist. The Lone Star State also earns low marks in best oral health (47th) and education (42nd). Fortunately, the home of the Alamo is also home to low cost of living.

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Ah, the Sunshine State. A home to beautiful beaches and resorts, which could contribute to residents having a sunny outlook on their overall well-being. But warm weather can only do so much. The state receives low rankings for safety and crime (46th), dental habits (42nd) and best oral health (42nd).  

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Good news Sooners: your state is one of the most affordable to live in, ranking fifth nationally. Unfortunately, that’s where the good news stops. The southern state ranks 45th or lower in dental habits, uninsured rates, percent of visitors and overall well-being.

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Just like the deep valleys of the Grand Canyon, Arizona has sunk deep into the bottom of our list. The southwest state receives low marks for best oral health (49th), Medicaid insurance rates (47th) and visitors to the state (42nd).

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With schools like the College of Charleston and Clemson University, it’s not surprising that South Carolina ranks 10th in education. How did the Palmetto State fare in the other categories? Not so well. The Deep Southern state ranks low in dental habits, visitors, and safety and crime.

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Working for a dental practice in Nevada may be a bit of a gamble. While the Silver State fares well in median income (29th), it earns mediocre rankings for the rest of the categories. You might want to try your luck working in another state before you go all in!

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Well Mountaineers, take solace in the fact that your state ranks high in uninsured rates (10th) and safety and crime (15th). But boy do things take a turn for the worse after that. The state receives last-place rankings for best oral health, percent of people who visited the dentist, education, percent of people on Medicaid AND overall well-being.

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Let’s start with the positives. Tennessee is known for its vibrant music scene and low cost of living, ranking seventh nationally. Now for the negatives… The Volunteer State ranks 45th or lower for dental habits, overall well-being and financial savviness, dropping the state toward the bottom of our list.

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While the Heart of Dixie fares well in terms of cost of living (12th), the state ranks 40th or lower in seven other categories. Alabama may not be the best location for a dental practice, but it’s a great state to catch a football game. Roll tide!   

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New Mexico may be known as the Land of Enchantment, but we’re not being fooled by these numbers. The state earns poor rankings for median income (45th), percent of people on Medicaid (50th) and financial savviness (49th). On the bright side, New Mexico ranks as one of the safer states, coming in 17th place.

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You may need to head to Bourbon Street to drown your sorrows with this ranking. While ranking decently in cost of living (20th), things go downhill for the state from there. Take solace in the fact that your state has delicious cuisine. Send us some beignets, please!

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Ranking last in median income and 49th in best oral health, education and percent of visitors, Mississippi drops to the bottom of our list. But look on the bright side – there’s no other place in the country cheaper to live than the Magnolia State.

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The good news? Arkansas is one of the cheapest states to live in, ranking fourth in cost of living. The bad news? Pretty much everything else… The Natural State comes in dead last for best oral health, safety and crime, and financial savviness, and ranks 49th in median income and overall well-being. At least you can still take pride in your national parks!

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