--- title: "The u.s. dentist workforce in numbers: ADA and BLS data" description: "How many dentists work in the U.S., how many own practices, when they retire, and how DSO affiliation is growing, from the ADA HPI 2025 update and BLS." url: https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/blog/us-dentist-workforce-numbers publisher: Copeland Consulting Services email: drcopeland@joncopelanddds.com contact: https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/contact --- # The u.s. dentist workforce in numbers: ADA and BLS data The ADA Health Policy Institute counted 202,485 U.S. dentists in 2024. Practice ownership fell from 85% in 2005 to 73% in 2023. DSO affiliation reached 16.1% in 2024. BLS projects 6 percent dentist job growth from 2025 to 2035. Supply is growing, but not evenly across places. Practice managementPublished October 26, 20264 min read ## 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? Measure Figure Source and year Dentists in the U.S. 202,485 HPI, 2024 Share who are general practitioners 78.8% HPI, 2024 (80.0% in 2001) Dentists who own a practice 73% HPI, 2023 (85% in 2005) Dentists affiliated with a DSO 16.1% HPI, 2024 Average retirement age 68.7 years HPI, retirees of 2024 Median annual wage $176,110 BLS, May 2025 Projected job growth 6 percent BLS, 2025 to 2035 Projected openings per year About 4,800 BLS, 2025 to 2035 ## 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](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/blog/dental-hygienist-shortage) and [dental assistant shortage](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/blog/dental-assistant-shortage). The glossary entry for [workforce shortage](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/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](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/practice-owner), [solo practice](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/solo-practice), and [associate dentist](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/associate-dentist). For the ownership path, read [dental practice ownership trends](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/blog/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](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/guides/dental-practice-ownership). For team hiring and retention, see [hire and keep a dental team](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/guides/hire-and-keep-a-dental-team). To ask about workforce and practice topics, [Contact Dr. Copeland about consulting](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/contact?topic=consulting). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a dentist shortage in the U.S.? ADA HPI says the U.S. dentist workforce is growing, with 202,485 dentists in 2024, and that supply is projected to rise through 2040. It also says the gap between urban and rural counties has been widening. So supply grows overall, but not in every area. ### How many dentists own their practice? ADA HPI reports that 73% of dentists were practice owners in 2023, compared with 85% in 2005. HPI says ownership among newer dentists appears delayed, not permanently lower, because most dentists eventually become owners. ### At what age do dentists retire? ADA HPI reports an average retirement age of 68.7 years for dentists who retired in 2024. It says dentists are exiting the workforce later than 20 years ago, as career spans lengthen. ## Terms on this page - [Dental support organization](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-support-organization) - [Practice transition](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/practice-transition) - [Succession planning](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/succession-planning) - [Practice ownership](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/practice-ownership) - [Workforce shortage](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/workforce-shortage) - [Associate dentist](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/associate-dentist) - [Dental assistant](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-assistant) - [Dental hygienist](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-hygienist) - [Group practice](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/group-practice) - [Solo practice](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/solo-practice) ## Sources 1. [ADA Health Policy Institute: The U.S. Dentist Workforce (2025 update)](https://www.ada.org/-/media/project/ada-organization/ada/ada-org/files/resources/research/hpi/US_dentist_workforce_2025.pdf) 2. [U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Dentists (Occupational Outlook Handbook)](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dentists.htm) Written by Copeland Consulting Services and checked against the sources above on October 26, 2026. Rules, data and guidance change, so check the linked page before you act on it. ## Keep reading - [Dental practice ownership trends: who owns practices nowThe ADA Health Policy Institute reports that 73 percent of U.S. dentists were practice owners in 2023, down from 85 percent in 2005. The drop is largest early in careers. Ownership rates among older cohorts catch up later, so the ADA describes the change as delayed ownership rather than the end of it.](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/blog/dental-practice-ownership-trends) - [Dental practice ownership: buying, starting, valuing, selling, associates and DSOsDentists reach ownership by starting a practice, buying one, buying in as a partner, or working as an associate or for a DSO first. ADA data show 73 percent of dentists owned a practice in 2023, down from 85 percent in 2005. Each path needs an attorney, a CPA and often a lender or broker.](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/guides/dental-practice-ownership) - [How to hire and keep a dental teamDental team hiring is hard because the supply of assistants and hygienists is tight. ADA Health Policy Institute research links retention to workplace culture, work-life balance and fair pay. Write job ads and interview questions around the job's duties, and ask an employment attorney before you finalize hiring and pay policies.](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/guides/hire-and-keep-a-dental-team) - [Dental assistant shortage: what ADA data showsADA Health Policy Institute data shows hiring dental assistants stayed hard but eased: nearly 87% of recruiting dentists called it very or extremely challenging in late 2022, and slightly more than 70% did by the end of 2024. BLS projects about 53,000 dental assistant openings each year through 2035.](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/blog/dental-assistant-shortage) - [Dental hygienist shortage: what ADA data shows in 2026ADA Health Policy Institute data published in April 2026 shows only 60% of dentists have an adequate number of dental hygienists on staff. Among dentists recruiting a hygienist, 91% called it very or extremely challenging. Enrollment is up 16% since 2020, but office staffing has stayed flat.](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/blog/dental-hygienist-shortage) - [DSOs and private practice: models, data and questions to askA dental support organization (DSO) manages some or all of a practice's nonclinical work, such as billing, marketing and human resources. ADA data show 16.1% of U.S. dentists were DSO-affiliated in 2024, and 27% of those under 10 years out of school. Each model has trade-offs.](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/guides/dso-vs-private-practice-guide) ## Talk with Dr. Copeland [Contact Dr. Copeland](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/contact)[Email](mailto:drcopeland@joncopelanddds.com)