Connecticut Leads the Nation in Dental Health, Analysis Shows

Connecticut, District of Columbia, and Massachusetts are the best states for dental health, according to an analysis featured by dentaly.org.     Since 2018, Connecticut and Massachusetts jumped to 1st and 3rd, respectively, in dental health.

Rounding out the top 10 were Washington, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Hawaii and Minnesota.  Among the other New England states, Rhode Island ranked #11, Vermont was #24, Maine was #38, and new Hampshire was #39.  

The data was divided into two overall categories, Dental Habits & Care and Oral Health Conditions.  Connecticut ranked third in Dental Habits & Care, and first in Oral Health Conditions.  Founded in 2014, Dentaly is described as the largest source of independent and free information on oral care and problems. 

In commentary alongside the data, dentaly.org explains that “The presence of fluoridated water, crucial for preventing tooth decay, … differs widely; some states have nearly universal coverage while others do not. Additionally, dental care coverage under Medicaid varies greatly, with some states offering no coverage, others only covering emergencies, and some providing comprehensive benefits.”

“Habits related to dental health also show regional variations. In certain states, a significant portion of the population avoids dentist visits due to fear. Meanwhile, in other states, a higher number of people recognize and engage in preventive dental care, helping to reduce overall dental health issues.”

Connecticut leads all states in the frequency of dental consultation per person, just ahead of Massachusetts, and in Oral Health Conditions, among the sub-categories included in the data. 

To identify where the best dental health is found in the U.S., Dentaly analyzed all 50 states along with the District of Columbia based on two main dimensions: Dental Habits & Care and Oral Health Conditions.  This evaluation involved 12 pertinent metrics, each weighted differently and scored out of 100 to indicate optimal dental health conditions.  Using these metrics, Dentaly calculated a weighted average for each state and the District, which helped derive their overall scores and establish the national rankings.

The ranking was based on data collected up to May 1, 2024, from multiple sources including the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Healthy Grid, American Dental Association, Health Resources & Services Administration, United Health Foundation, Free Dental Care, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the Association of State & Territorial Dental Directors.