Study shows disparity in dental health across U.S.

(Source: Max Pixel)
(Source: Max Pixel)
Updated: Apr. 25, 2018 at 9:15 AM CDT
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(WMC) - With dental health having an effect on appearance, general well-being, and even earnings, the personal-finance website WalletHub has released its report on 2018's States with the Best & Worst Dental Health.

In order to determine which places have the healthiest teeth and gums in the U.S., WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 25 key metrics. The categories range from share of adolescents who visited a dentist in the past year to dental treatment costs to share of adults with low life satisfaction due to oral condition.

States with the best dental health:

  1. Minnesota
  2. Wisconsin
  3. Connecticut
  4. Illinois
  5. North Dakota
  6. District of Columbia
  7. Michigan
  8. Massachusetts
  9. South Dakota
  10. Idaho

Best vs. Worst:

Rhode Island has the lowest share of the population who couldn't afford more dental visits due to costs, 37 percent, which is two times lower than in Georgia, the highest at 74 percent.

Massachusetts has the most dentists per 100,000 residents, 48, which is three times more than in Tennessee, the fewest at 16.

The District of Columbia has the highest share of the population who receive fluoridated water, 100 percent, which is 8.5 times higher than in Hawaii, the lowest at 11.70 percent.

Minnesota, Hawaii and Illinois have the lowest share of adults with poor or fair oral condition, 22 percent, which is 1.8 times lower than in Montana, the highest at 40 percent.

Hawaii has the lowest share of adults aged 65 and older with no natural teeth, 5.6 percent, which is 5.4 times lower than in West Virginia, the highest at 30.4 percent.

To see the full report and where Mid-South states rank in the various categories, click here.

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