Kansas leads children's oral health with 59 pediatric dentists
Dental workforce data showing dentist supply does not automatically improve children's oral health outcomes.
Kansas ranks first among U.S. states for children's oral health, despite having only 59 pediatric dentists, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data cited in a WalletHub analysis. The ranking evaluated all 50 states and Washington, D.C., across 10 metrics including the proportion of children with excellent or very good teeth, frequency of recent dental checkups, and treatment costs.
Pediatric dentist supply in top-ranked states
The five states with the best children's oral health outcomes show varied pediatric dentist populations. Kansas leads the overall rankings with 59 pediatric dentists, while Michigan has the highest dentist count among the top five at 188. Minnesota follows with 103, Iowa with 71, and New Mexico with 35 pediatric dentists.
Disparity in bottom-ranked states
The five states with the worst children's oral health rankings show a different pattern. Florida has 538 pediatric dentists, more than nine times Kansas's total, yet ranks among the bottom five. New Jersey has 427, Utah has 127, Oklahoma has 72, and Mississippi has 68 pediatric dentists. This disparity suggests that dentist supply alone does not determine oral health outcomes for children.
Frequently asked questions
Which state has the best oral health outcomes for children?
Kansas ranks first for children's oral health according to WalletHub's analysis of all 50 states and Washington, D.C. The ranking used 10 metrics including the share of children with excellent or very good teeth, frequency of recent dental checkups, and dental treatment costs.
How many pediatric dentists does the top-ranked state have?
Kansas, the top-ranked state, has 59 pediatric dentists according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This is significantly lower than some bottom-ranked states, suggesting that dentist supply alone does not determine children's oral health outcomes.
Why does Florida rank poorly despite having 538 pediatric dentists?
Florida has the highest number of pediatric dentists among the bottom five states but still ranks among the worst for children's oral health. This indicates that factors beyond dentist availability, such as access, utilization patterns, or treatment outcomes, influence overall state rankings.
What was WalletHub's methodology for ranking states on children's oral health?
WalletHub ranked states on 10 metrics, including the share of children with excellent or very good teeth, the share of children with recent dental checkups, and dental treatment costs.
