If you're trying to hire a dentist—or decide where to practice—location has a direct impact on your success.

Some states are experiencing a shortage of dentists, while others are more saturated, which affects everything from how easy it is to hire to how much dentists can earn.

Understanding where demand is highest can help you fill roles faster, grow your practice more predictably, or choose a market with stronger long-term opportunity.

Demand for Dentists

Across the U.S., demand for dentists continues to vary by region.

Rural and underserved areas consistently face dentist shortages, creating strong, stable patient demand.

At the same time, fast-growing states like Texas, Florida, and Arizona are seeing population growth outpace the local workforce, making them some of the best places to practice dentistry today.

Even in more competitive cities, higher patient volume and procedure mix can create high-income opportunities when the model is right. The key is recognizing that the best locations aren’t always the most obvious—they’re where demand, growth, and workforce shifts intersect.

Where Are the Best Areas for Dentists?

Area Type	Example Locations	Why It Matters	Recruiting Angle
Rural / Underserved	Midwest, Mountain West, parts of the South	Low dentist density and high patient demand	Harder roles to fill and strong long-term need
Fast-Growing Sunbelt	Texas, Florida, Arizona, North Carolina	Population growth is outpacing dentist supply	Ongoing hiring demand as practices expand
Mid-Sized Cities	Tucson, Boise, Nashville, Raleigh	Balanced competition with strong local growth	Attractive markets for consistent recruiting
Aging Workforce Markets	Northeast and Midwest pockets	Upcoming retirements may create openings	Strong replacement and transition opportunities
Urban High-Density Markets	Washington, D.C., Boston, Los Angeles	Higher competition but strong patient volume	Selective hiring with higher-value roles
DSO-Heavy Regions	Arizona, Colorado	Larger group practices and structured hiring	Steady associate-level recruiting demand
Low Dentist-to-Population States	Arkansas, Mississippi, Alaska	Fewer dentists per capita means less saturation	Strong demand in tighter markets
Suburban Growth Corridors	Areas outside major metros	Population growth without matching provider growth	Good fit for expanding practices and new offices

Explore Dentist Opportunities by State

What are the best states for dentists?

Demand for dentists can vary significantly by market.

In some areas, practices are competing for a limited number of providers, while in others, growth and retirements are creating new opportunities.

Explore dentist job availability and local market dynamics in these locations:

• Phoenix, AZ
• Tucson, AZ
• Dallas, TX
• Houston, TX
• Austin, TX
• Orlando, FL
• Tampa, FL
• Washington, D.C.

These pages provide a closer look at local demand, compensation trends, and what practices are doing to attract dentists in each market.

Additional Resources

• Dentist Salaries

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