How Many Dental Practices Are in the US? (2026 Data)

1. The US Dental Market at a Glance

The United States has approximately 178,000 dental businesses according to IBISWorld, with the industry generating $179.4 billion in revenue in 2026. The market has been growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.7% since 2020.

Here are the key numbers you need to know:

• 178,000+ dental practice businesses in the US
• 202,000+ active dentists (the workforce is growing and becoming younger and more diverse)
• $179.4 billion in industry revenue (2026)
• 73% of dentists are practice owners (down from 85% in 2005)
• One-third of US dentists are in solo practice
• 10,000+ Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) operate worldwide, with 38% of dental clinics affiliated

2. Dental Practices by State

The distribution of dental practices closely follows population density. California leads with over 20,000 practices, while Wyoming has the fewest at around 261. Here is the complete state-by-state breakdown:

Source: DentistEmailList.com database, March 2026. View individual state pages for full breakdowns including specialties, websites, and social profiles.

3. Breakdown by Specialty

The vast majority of dental practices are general dentistry offices. Here is how the specialties break down nationally:

4. Key Industry Trends

The Rise of DSOs

Dental Service Organizations are reshaping the industry. The US DSO market was valued at $155.65 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $302.54 billion by 2035, growing at 6.87% CAGR. The numbers tell the story:

• 58% of 2024 dental school graduates joined DSOs, up from just 22% in 2018
• 38% of dental clinics are now affiliated with DSOs
• The number of dental professionals working with DSOs has risen 27% in the last four years
• Medical supplies and procurement is the largest DSO service segment at 27.8% of the market

Declining Practice Ownership

Practice ownership has been steadily declining. In 2005, 85% of dentists owned their practice. By 2023, that number dropped to 73%. This trend is driven by young dentists choosing DSO employment over the financial risk and administrative burden of solo practice.

Workforce Demographics

The dental workforce is evolving. According to the ADA, the US dentist workforce is growing and becoming younger, more female, and more racially and ethnically diverse. About one-third of US dentists remain in solo practice, but that share continues to shrink each year.

Market Growth

The US dental services market was valued at $174.91 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $185.39 billion in 2026. The broader global dental market is expected to reach $118.36 billion by 2034, growing at 12.94% CAGR, fueled by aging populations, increased insurance coverage, and advances in dental technology.

5. How to Use This Data

If you sell products or services to dental practices, these numbers represent your total addressable market. The question is how to reach them efficiently.

Knowing there are 20,950 practices in California or 11,223 in Texas is useful, but what you really need is their contact information: email addresses, phone numbers, mailing addresses, and practice details like specialty and location.

You can browse dental email lists by state or read our guide on how to reach dental practices for B2B marketing.