How Many Dentists Are in Texas? (Latest Data & What It Means for You)
Have you ever wondered how many dentists work in Texas or why that matters? You’re not alone. In this simple guide, I’ll give you the bigger picture, show you the numbers, and explain how those numbers affect people like you. By the end, you’ll know what to expect if you need dental care in Texas today, and you’ll be ready to make smart choices for your smile.
Table of Contents
Why Does the Number of Dentists in Texas Matter?
Let’s be real—we all want healthy teeth and quick dental help when we need it. But here’s a big problem: if there aren’t enough dental workers nearby, it’s harder to get checkups or treatments on time. This means small problems can quickly turn into bigger and more costly ones. You might be in pain and have to drive a long way just to see someone. Nobody likes that.
Now, if there are plenty of dentists and specialists close by, getting a cleaning or fixing a cavity is easy, quick, and maybe even cheap. That’s the solution. With more dentists in Texas, everyone wins—kids, adults, and even older folks can keep their teeth strong.
But Texas is huge. Some places have more care than others. That’s why these numbers matter. It helps you find a dentist when you need one and shows where we need to do better as a state.
What’s the Latest Count? How Many Licensed Dentists Are in Texas?
Right now, Texas has about 20,000-21,500 licensed dentists, according to the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners. This is everyone who can legally work as a dentist in the state. But not every dentist with a license is seeing patients every day. If we only count those who are actually working, there are about 17,500-18,500 dentists helping patients today.
Here’s a simple table:
| Category | Estimated Number (2024) |
|---|---|
| Licensed Dentists | 20,000 – 21,500 |
| Active Practicing Dentists | 17,500 – 18,500 |
Source: TSBDE, Texas Dental Association, 2024 estimate
You might be surprised. With so many people moving to Texas, you’d think the number of dentists would keep up. The truth is, the workforce is growing, but sometimes not as fast as the population.
How Many Dentists Per Person? The Dentist-to-Population Ratio
Let’s answer a question most people don’t think about: How many dentists are there for every person in Texas?
This is called the dentist-to-population ratio. As of now, Texas has about 55 to 60 dentists for every 100,000 people. If you compare this with the national average, it’s 60 to 65 dentists per 100,000 people.
| State/Region | Dentists per 100,000 Residents |
|---|---|
| Texas | 55 – 60 |
| National Avg. | 60 – 65 |
When this number is lower, people may have to wait longer for appointments or drive further to get help. If you live in a big city, you might not notice. But for Texans out in smaller towns or country areas, finding a dentist nearby can be really tough. This isn’t just a Texas problem—it happens in other growing states, too.
Where Are Dentists Located? Texas Dental Workforce by Region
Here’s another big question: Are dentists spread out evenly across Texas? Not at all. Most working dentists are found in big cities—Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Austin. About 70-75% of dentists work in city areas.
Here’s a rough breakdown:
| Region | Estimated % of Active Dentists |
|---|---|
| Major Metro Areas | 70-75% |
| Rural Counties | 25-30% |
This means some counties, especially rural ones, have few or even zero full-time dentists. These places are called Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas (DHPSAs). Around 150-180 Texas counties fall in this category, says the Texas Department of State Health Services.
When you look for a new dentist, try searching in nearby cities or check online lists. For people living in the country, sometimes your choices include mobile dental units or special public dental clinics set up to help folks who need it.
If you want to see how dentists use new tools to reach more people, check out this digital dental lab to see how moving dental care to new places is getting easier.
What Kinds of Dentists Work in Texas? General vs Specialists
Texas has dentists who do all kinds of jobs. Most are general dentists. They do checkups, cleanings, fillings—normal dental work. About 75-80% of Texas dentists are general dentists.
The others are specialists. They handle certain problems or jobs:
- Orthodontists: Straighten teeth and fix bites.
- Pediatric dentists: Work with kids.
- Oral surgeons: Fix jaw injuries, take out wisdom teeth.
- Endodontists: Treat tooth nerves and root canals.
- Periodontists: Work on gums.
- Prosthodontists: Replace lost or missing teeth.
Specialists are about 20-25% of Texas dentists. If you live far from a city, getting specialist care can be hard. Most specialists go where there are lots of people.
Some dental labs help both general and specialist dentists give the latest care. For example, a crown and bridge lab can make strong dental crowns for dentists wherever they are.
What Affects the Dental Workforce? Why Do Numbers Change?
You might wonder—why does the number of dentists go up and down?
1. Population Growth: More people come to Texas every year. Even if the number of dentists grows, each dentist might need to see more people than before. Sometimes, more demand than supply.
2. New Graduates: Each year, dental schools in Texas like UT Health San Antonio, UTHealth Houston, and Texas A&M College of Dentistry send out about 300-400 new dentists. But not all of them stay in Texas.
3. Retirees and Moving: Dentists retire or move away like anyone else. Sometimes new dentists move in from other places, but not always enough to replace those who leave.
4. Licensing: To be a dentist in Texas, you have to get a license from the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners. Rules change sometimes, which affects how soon new dentists can work.
Big cities are more attractive to new dentists, while rural areas have a hard time drawing them in. Some government programs offer bonuses for working in the country, but it’s still a big problem.
How Does the Dental Workforce Impact Oral Health and Access?
If there aren’t enough dentists, it’s harder for you and your family to stay healthy. Not getting care can cause more tooth pain, cavities, infections, and even trips to the hospital. You end up spending more money. Fixing small problems early is cheaper, but if you wait, the costs go up.
Some people find things even harder—kids, older people, veterans, and families who don’t earn a lot. If you try to find a dentist fast, you might have a hard time—especially if you need special care or have Medicaid.
Dentists work with hygienists and assistants to see more patients. Sometimes, special programs send mobile clinics to areas that need them. If you want to know how these dental teams help, you can look at a china dental lab as an example of how dental networks work worldwide.
Spotlight: Texas’ Dental Schools and New Graduates
Let’s look at education. Texas has three big dental schools:
- UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry
- UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry
- Texas A&M College of Dentistry (Dallas)
Together, they train about 300-400 new dentists every year. That’s good news, but more than half of Texas’ counties still need more dentists. Some students move away, and a lot choose to work in big cities, not smaller towns.
Dental students don’t just study. A lot of them help out in community clinics or public programs, giving care to people who don’t get it often. They also train with modern tools and materials from top labs, which helps keep Texas up to date with new dental treatments.
What’s Next? The Future of Dentistry in Texas
So, what’s coming next? Here’s some good news: The number of dentists in Texas is still going up. Plans and programs are starting, offering scholarships, and helping dentists serve more rural counties. There’s talk about making dental school cheaper and asking students to work in areas that really need help after they finish school.
Technology is changing things, too. With better dental labs, like a zirconia lab, and new digital tools, dentists can help more patients—even from far away. This could help shrink the gap between city and country over time.
But there’s still work to do. As Texas keeps growing, more dental workers are needed—especially in places that don’t have enough care now.
FAQs About Texas Dentists
Q: Is there a dentist shortage in Texas?
Yes, especially in small counties. About 150-180 of Texas’ 254 counties have too few dentists.
Q: How many dental schools are in Texas?
There are three main dental schools: UT Health San Antonio, UTHealth Houston, and Texas A&M in Dallas.
Q: How do I check if my dentist is licensed in Texas?
You can look up your dentist’s license online at the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners’ website.
Q: What is the average dentist salary in Texas?
It changes, but Texas dentists make about the same as other U.S. dentists on average.
Q: What is the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners?
It’s the group that gives out dentist licenses and makes sure dentists follow all the rules.
Most Important Things to Remember
- Texas has about 20,000-21,500 licensed dentists, but only around 17,500-18,500 are actually practicing.
- The dentist-to-population ratio is lower than the U.S. average, so it can be harder to get care.
- Most dentists work in cities, so smaller towns don’t have as many choices.
- Specialist dentists are one quarter of Texas’ dentist group.
- Three main dental schools train new Texas dentists each year.
- Not enough dentists can lead to worse health and higher costs for families in areas with fewer dentists.
- Technology and new labs are helping, little by little.
- Always check your dentist’s license for peace of mind.
- New programs are trying to get more dentists to the places where they’re really needed.
- A healthy smile starts with easy access to a dentist you trust.
For the latest in dental technology that helps Texas dentists, you can explore leading dental changes at this 3d dental lab.
If you want tips on choosing the right dentist or finding out more about your dental choices, see this simple practical guide made for patients like you.
References:
- Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE)
- Texas Dental Association (TDA)
- Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)
- U.S. Census Bureau
Learning more helps you get closer to a healthy, happy smile—no matter where in Texas you live.
