New York Ranks Low in Dental Health Report

The state lands in the bottom half of the country for overall dental health metrics.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 9:47am

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According to a new report from personal finance company WalletHub, New York ranks 33rd overall in dental health among U.S. states. The state performed poorly in metrics like the percentage of adults and adolescents who visited a dentist in the past year, dental treatment costs, 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. States that rank highly in dental metrics tend to have better access to dental care, fluoridated water, and dental health programs, which can make a significant difference for residents' oral and overall health.

The details

The WalletHub report analyzed 25 key dental health metrics to determine the best and worst states for dental care. New York ranked 24th for the percentage of adolescents who visited a dentist in the past year, 29th for the percentage of adults who visited a dentist, 38th for dental treatment costs, and 22nd for dentists per capita. The state did perform better in metrics like sugar-sweetened beverage consumption (10th) and the percentage of adults with low life satisfaction due to oral condition (36th).

  • The report was released on January 30, 2026.
  • February is National Children's Dental Health Month.

The players

WalletHub

A personal finance company that released the report on the states with the best and worst dental health.

Chip Lupo

A WalletHub analyst who commented on the findings of the report.

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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 (943litefm.com)

The takeaway

New York's low ranking in the WalletHub dental health report highlights the need for the state to improve access to dental care, especially for children and low-income residents, in order to promote better overall health outcomes for its residents.