The u.s. dentist workforce in numbers: ADA and BLS data

How many dentists work in the United States?

The ADA Health Policy Institute (HPI) counted 202,485 dentists in the U.S. in 2024. Its 2025 update, built from data available as of August 2025, says there are over 200,000 dentists, the result of consistent growth since 2001. It adds that growth has stabilized in recent years because of a temporary retirement surge among older dentists.

This post summarizes that report and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) page on dentists. It is general information, with the year of each figure. It does not describe any individual dentist.

What are the key numbers?

Is there a dentist shortage?

Not in total numbers, but the picture is uneven. HPI says the dentist workforce is growing and becoming younger, more female, and more racially and ethnically diverse. It also says growth is not happening in all areas. The gap in dentist supply between urban and rural counties has widened over time and may keep widening, because younger dentists are less likely to practice in rural areas.

HPI also says the supply of dentists is projected to increase through 2040, in part because of new dental schools. It reports that 2024 saw a record number of dental school graduates, and that at least half of graduates have been female since 2019.

The shortage most offices feel is in team members. See dental hygienist shortage and dental assistant shortage. The glossary entry for workforce shortage explains the term.

How many dentists own their practice?

Fewer than before. HPI reports that 73% of dentists were practice owners in 2023, compared with 85% in 2005. It says female dentists are less likely to own than male dentists, and that ownership fell most among younger dentists.

HPI adds an important note: ownership seems delayed, not reduced. Most dentists still become owners, just later in their careers. See the glossary entries for practice owner, solo practice, and associate dentist. For the ownership path, read dental practice ownership trends.

How common is DSO affiliation?

It is growing. HPI says the share of U.S. dentists affiliated with a dental support organization (DSO) more than doubled since 2015 and reached 16.1% in 2024. In Colorado and Oklahoma, more than one in four dentists up to 10 years out of dental school were affiliated with a DSO.

The report also says the workforce is becoming younger, with a growing share of dentists in group practices and DSOs and fewer in solo practice. See how many dentists work with a DSO and the glossary entries for DSO and group practice.

When do dentists retire?

Later than they used to. HPI reports that dentists are exiting the workforce later than 20 years ago, and that the average retirement age was 68.7 years for dentists who retired in 2024. It also says dentists who retired in 2024 worked four more years than those who retired in 2001.

HPI describes the workforce as near the end of a retirement surge among baby boomer dentists. For owners thinking about exit timing, see the glossary entries for succession planning and practice transition.

How many hours do dentists work?

HPI reports that from 2010 through 2019, dentists averaged 35.0 hours per week in the office. After 2020, that average rose by 1.2 hours. HPI says the rise came entirely from added office time not spent treating patients. It also says dentist earnings are down because practice expenses are outpacing revenues, and that dentists are working more hours, for more years.

What does BLS add?

BLS gives the government’s pay and outlook view. It reports a median annual wage of $176,110 for dentists in May 2025. It projects employment to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations, with about 4,800 openings per year. BLS table data also shows about 12 percent of dentists were self-employed. For more on pay, see how much does a dentist make.

BLS and HPI use different methods and scopes, so their counts are not interchangeable. Use each as a separate source.

How should you use these numbers?

Check the date and the definition before you rely on a figure. A national average hides local conditions, and a count of dentists does not tell you how many hours they work or whether a given town has enough. Pair national numbers with local data, such as your own patient volume and hiring history.

For workforce questions that touch your own plans, ask your accountant, attorney, or a qualified adviser. This post does not give financial or legal advice.

Next step

To read about owning and running a practice, see dental practice ownership. For team hiring and retention, see hire and keep a dental team. To ask about workforce and practice topics, Contact Dr. Copeland about consulting.