Connecticut ranked as the state with the best dental care, with about 73% of its population visiting a dentist in 2020 and approximately 90% of its public water systems are fluoridated, according to research conducted by Celebrate Dental and Braces.
Conversely, Arkansas has the poorest dental care. The Natural State has only 41 dentists per 100,000 residents and only about 41% of adults visited a dentist in 2020, according to the report.
"Annual trips to the dentist, at a minimum, are essential to make sure your teeth and gums are healthy, and your overall health is preserved,” Dr. Kelcey Loveland of Celebrate Dental, which has locations in Texas, New Mexico, Nevada, Missouri, and Kansas, said in a press release.
The research team analyzed data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Lung Association to examine dental health trends from 2020 to 2022. The research evaluated eight factors, including the percentage of adults who visited a dentist in the past year, smoking rates, and binge drinking prevalence. Each state received a score out of 100 based on these metrics.
Behind Connecticut, Utah ranked as second best in the U.S. for dental care with a score of 76.35. The state has the lowest adult smoking rate at nearly 7%, earning a perfect score of 10. Smoking, known to cause tooth staining, gum disease, and tooth loss, poses minimal risk in Utah. Additionally, 73% of residents visited the dentist in 2022, resulting in a score of 9.04, they wrote.
Furthermore, Maryland came in third with a score of 75.06. The state boasts 71 dentists per 100,000 residents, earning a score of 6.94. Only about 14% of Marylanders are binge drinkers, leading to a score of 8.50. Binge drinking can reduce saliva flow, increasing the risk of gum disease and tooth decay.
At the other end of the spectrum, West Virginia ranked second worst with a score of 24.91. The state’s high adult smoking rate of 21% results in a score of 0. About 58% of residents visited the dentist in 2020, earning a score of 0.40 while the state has 48 dentists per 100,000 people, translating to a score of 1.72, they wrote.
Mississippi is third worst with a score of 26.63. It has only 43 dentists per 100,000 residents, earning a score of 0.46. Additionally, only 58% of residents visited the dentist in 2020, resulting in another low score of 0.40. Among adults over 65, approximately 45% have lost six or more teeth, leading to a score of 1.45, according to the report.
"Although the dentist can seem daunting and is a great fear for some, regular checks can help prevent or treat issues that could get progressively worse if left alone," Loveland said in the release.
