Researchers, using data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, looked deeper in several factors that contribute to oral health.

Number of dentists per 100,00 residents. The District of Columbia has the most with 104, which is 2.5 times more than Alabama, with just 41. Best: District of Columbia, Massachusetts and Alaska. Worst: Mississippi, Arkansas and Alabama.
Dental consultation frequency per person. Best: Connecticut, Massachusetts and Hawaii; Worst: Texas, West Virginia and Arkansas.
Current cigarette smoking among adults. Best: Utah, California and Massachusetts. Worst: Louisiana, Kentucky and West Virginia.
Sugar consumption. Best: Oregon, Washington and Montana. Worst: Oklahoma, Mississippi and Kentucky.

Alcohol consumption. Best: Utah, Maryland and Idaho. Worst: Montana, Vermont and New Hampshire.
Water fluoridation. One hundred percent of District of Columbia residents receive fluoridated water, which is nearly 12 times higher than Hawaii, the lowest-ranking state with 8.5%. Best: District of Columbia, Kentucky and Minnesota. Worst: Oregon, New Jersey and Hawaii.
Oral health conditions: Best: Connecticut, District of Columbia and Massachusetts. Worst: Louisiana, West Virginia and Arkansas.

Instant Insights /

From Connecticut to Arkansas, dental health rankings reveal significant regional variations

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