How Many Dentists Are There In New York? A Friendly, Complete Guide To NY’s Dental Workforce

Ever wondered, “How many dentists are in New York?” Maybe you want a new dentist, are thinking about a dental career, or are just curious why some places have many dental offices and others have hardly any. You’re not alone. Let’s go through all the numbers, one step at a time, and see what they really mean for you.

How Many Dentists Are There in New York? (Simple Answer)

Let’s answer the main question up front: As of the latest numbers, New York State has between 22,000 and 23,500 licensed dentists. Of those, about 19,000 to 20,500 are actually seeing patients, working in clinics, private offices, hospitals, and community health centers. Zoom into New York City, and you’ll see about 11,000 to 12,500 licensed dentists, with 9,500 to 11,000 practicing there every day.

Why do these numbers matter? It’s not just for fun! How many and where dentists are affects your chance to get a quick, affordable, and good dentist visit. It can mean the difference between waiting a week or a month, or if there’s a kids’ specialist near you.

Let’s break it down a bit more.

New York’s Dental Workforce at a Glance: Key Numbers

Wondering where these dentists are or what this all means for you? Here’s a simple look.

Total Licensed and Practicing Dentists in NY State

Licensed Dentists: ~22,000–23,500
Dentists Actually Working: ~19,000–20,500

Not every licensed dentist is seeing patients—some are retired, in teaching, or have moved out of state. When you need care, look at the number working.

Where Are These Dentists? NYC vs. Upstate and Other Areas

NYC (all boroughs): ~11,000–12,500 licensed, ~9,500–11,000 practicing
Manhattan: Packed with dental offices
Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Staten Island: Each have thousands, but some neighborhoods have more than others
Long Island: Thousands more dentists in Nassau and Suffolk
Upstate New York: Fewer dentists per person, with some rural counties having just a handful

The main thing: More dentists in the city, less in the countryside or small towns.

Dentist-to-People Ratio: How NY Compares

Whole State: About 1 dentist per 950–1,050 people
NYC: Even better, 1 per 800–900 people
U.S. Average: Around 1 per 1,200 people

So, in big NY cities, you usually find a dentist faster than in much of the country. In some rural areas, it’s a lot harder—maybe only one dentist for several thousand people.

More Than Just Numbers: Dentists’ Types and Practice Places

There’s more to the story than just how many dentists there are. What kinds do we have? And where, exactly, do they work?

General Dentists vs. Specialists

General Dentists: About 78–82% are generalists. They do regular stuff—cleanings, fillings, crowns, and so on.
Specialists: About 18–22%
Braces Doctors (Orthodontists)
Kids’ Dentists (Pediatric dentists)
Surgery Dentists (Oral surgeons)
Root Canal Experts (Endodontists)
Gum Doctors (Periodontists)
Tooth Replacement Experts (Prosthodontists)

NYC has the most specialists since there are more people wanting these services. In smaller areas, you might only find a general dentist and need to travel for a specialist.

Where Do Dentists Work?

Long ago, most dentists worked alone or in small offices. Now, this is changing.

Solo offices: Still common but slowly going down.
Big Group Practices and DSOs (Dental Service Organizations): Growing! These share things like staff and supplies, making care more efficient.
Community Clinics and Health Centers: Important for people using Medicaid or not having insurance, especially in places with not enough dentists.

All these choices change not just the price and availability, but how easy it is to get an urgent visit or extra services.

Trends Changing Dentistry in New York

Numbers show where we are, but trends show what’s coming. Let’s see what’s shaping dental care in NY.

The People: Age, Gender, and Diversity

Getting Older: Nearly 23% are over age 65. Many will retire soon, which could leave gaps, especially where there aren’t enough dentists now.
More Women: About 38% are women, and 42% in NYC. This has grown a lot with new graduates.
Diversity: Steps are being taken to bring in more dentists from different backgrounds, but it’s still behind New York’s diverse population.

This matters for offices offering languages or styles of care that match their patients.

New York’s Dental Schools and New Dentists

Five big dental schools—NYU, Columbia, SUNY Buffalo, Touro, and Eastman (University of Rochester)—graduate about 750–850 new dentists each year.

Do They Stay? Many stay, at least at first, but high costs in NYC make some move out over time.
Lots of Specialists: NY’s schools train lots of dental specialists.

New grads help fill holes, but don’t always choose to work in rural places that really need them.

Access Problems and Opportunities

“Dental Deserts”: Over 40 counties and many neighborhoods (even in NYC) are officially “short” on dentists—often poorer or rural.
Medicaid Participation: Only 30–40% of dentists take Medicaid, so lower-income families sometimes struggle to find a dentist.
Cost: Dental care can be expensive—having lots of dentists doesn’t mean care is cheap, and many people don’t have good dental insurance.
Distance: Many New Yorkers, especially upstate, drive far to see a dentist—especially a specialist.

So, more dentists doesn’t always mean good access for everyone.

Why These Numbers Matter

Why care how many dentists there are? Here’s why, depending on who you are.

For Patients

Easier to Find Dentist: More dentists usually means you can get in for a visit sooner and maybe pay less.
Specialist Choices: In big cities, you have more types to pick from.
Dental Deserts: If you live in an area with few dentists, expect a longer wait or more travel, and check out public health options.
Insurance: Fewer dentists take Medicaid, so know what’s available before you need care.

For Dental Pros

Job Ideas: Dentist numbers show where it’s busy and where people need you. Rural or underserved city areas are often glad to have more dentists.
Office Type: Easier to join a group or find a specialty job in the city, but solo offices might work better in smaller towns.
Other Jobs: NY also needs more hygienists, assistants, and lab workers—something to think about if you’re not going to be a dentist.

Curious how dental labs support dentists? See info on a china dental lab and its role in dental care.

For Policy Makers & Public Health

Where to Put Resources: Knowing where dentists are missing helps target money for public clinics or help.
Spot Disparities: This helps work on getting more dentists who reflect their communities.
Planning: Watching retirements and new graduates lets New York get ready for the future.

Your Options Explained: What to Do If You Need Dental Care (or a Dental Job)

The dentist numbers and where they work might feel out of your control—but you have choices.

What Patients Can Do

Find Dentists: The New York State Dental Association and the ADA have lists of dentists by area and specialty.
Community Health Clinics: If you’re on Medicaid or can’t pay private prices, look for health centers, school dental programs, or clinics.
Teledentistry: Virtual dentist visits now help people who live far from care.
Ask About Fees: Some offices take Medicaid or offer sliding-scale (pay-what-you-can) fees—just ask!

When to See a Specialist

For tricky needs—surgery, braces, or certain problems—a general dentist can point you to a specialist. In NYC, you have choices. In other areas, you may wait or travel farther.

Want to know where dental offices turn for dental parts? Many use a top crown and bridge lab for making crowns and bridges.

For People Thinking of Dental Careers

Go Where You’re Needed: Some towns or neighborhoods really want new dentists, with things like student loan help.
Join a Group: Bigger offices and DSOs are growing, with less stress about running your own business.
Keep Learning: It’s good to keep up with new skills (like teledentistry) to stay in demand.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dentists in NY

Q: Is New York packed with too many dentists?

A: Some parts of NYC have a lot, but many rural and even some city places still need more. The balance is always changing.

Q: Why do some people have a hard time finding a dentist, even with so many?

A: Insurance, price, and uneven spread mean some areas have lots of dentists and others have hardly any.

Q: Do all dentists take Medicaid or discount plans?

A: Only about one-third do (more in clinics than private offices). Always call and check!

Q: Where do most dentists come from?

A: Most new dentists in NY went to one of the state’s five big dental schools. Some focus more on serving under-served groups.

Q: Does technology affect dental care in NY?

A: Yes! New tools, digital dental labs, and 3D printers mean better, faster fixes—especially in big cities.

Your Healthy Takeaway (What To Remember and What To Do Next)

Let’s go over the big stuff:

NY has over 22,000 licensed dentists, about 20,000 are working.
NYC is dentist-packed, but poorer or rural places sometimes have almost none.
You’ll find every kind of dentist, especially in the city.
Clinics, sliding-scale options, and virtual visits help people who struggle to find a dentist.
For people in dental careers, knowing these trends helps you serve patients better and maybe find a great place to work.

Ready To Do Something?

Need a dentist? Start with the main directories, check your insurance, and don’t give up if you hit a dead end—try a health center or ask about special fees.
Want a dental career? There are many options in NY—look for jobs, think about specialties, or explore areas where you’ll make a difference.
Care about access? Spread the word, support local clinics, and help public health moves to get everyone care.

Remember: Knowing this stuff is the first step to a healthier smile—whether you’re looking for care, want a job in dentistry, or just want to help make things better for all New Yorkers. A healthier state starts with you!

Sources: American Dental Association, NYS Office of the Professions, NYS Dental Association, Bureau of Labor Statistics, HRSA, and leading NY dental schools and health groups.

This article is just for learning. If you have a dental concern, talk to a licensed dentist near you. Healthy smiles, New York!

How Many Dentists Are There in New York? A Friendly, Complete Guide to NY’s Dental Workforce

In This Article

How Many Dentists Are There in New York? (Simple Answer)

New York’s Dental Workforce at a Glance: Key Numbers

Total Licensed and Practicing Dentists in NY State