California, one of the states with the most dental shortage areas, has more than 30,000 active dentists.
The Health Resources and Services Administration recently released data showing the number of dental professional shortage areas in each state.
Here is the number of active dentists in five states with the most shortage areas, according to data from the HRSA and the American Dental Association:
California
Number of dental professional shortage areas: 518
Number of dentists: 30,280
Alaska
Number of dental professional shortage areas: 329
Number of dentists: 583
Missouri
Number of dental professional shortage areas: 315
Number of dentists: 3,035
Florida
Number of dental professional shortage areas: 260
Number of dentists: 12,350
Texas
Number of dental professional shortage areas: 255
Number of dentists: 16,522