New York Ranks 33rd in Dental Health Report

The state lags behind in key metrics like dental visits and treatment costs.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 6:47am

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According to a new report from WalletHub, New York ranks 33rd overall in dental health across the United States. The state performed poorly in metrics like the percentage of adults and adolescents who visited a dentist in the past year, as well as dental treatment costs. However, New York ranked better in measures like sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and the percentage of adults with poor or fair oral condition.

Why it matters

Dental health is an important indicator of overall health and well-being. New York's low ranking in the report raises concerns about access to affordable dental care and the state's ability to promote good oral hygiene habits, especially among vulnerable populations like children and low-income residents.

The details

The WalletHub report analyzed 25 key metrics to determine the states with the healthiest teeth and gums. New York ranked 33rd overall, with poor showings in the percentage of adults (29th) and adolescents (24th) who visited a dentist in the past year, as well as dental treatment costs (38th). However, the state performed better in measures like sugar-sweetened beverage consumption (10th) and the percentage of adults with poor or fair oral condition (17th).

  • The WalletHub report was released on January 29, 2026.
  • February is National Children's Dental Health Month.

The players

WalletHub

A personal-finance company that released the report on 2026's States with the Best & Worst Dental Health.

Chip Lupo

A WalletHub analyst who commented on the importance of living in a dental health-friendly state.

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What they’re saying

“Living in a dental health-friendly state can make a world of difference for your mouth and your wallet. While there are plenty of things you can do on your own, such as brushing and flossing regularly, some states feature things like access to fluoridated water, dental health programs in schools and robust benefits through Medicaid.”

— Chip Lupo, WalletHub Analyst

The takeaway

New York's low ranking in the WalletHub dental health report highlights the need for the state to improve access to affordable dental care, especially for vulnerable populations, and promote better oral hygiene habits among residents.