America's Best Dentists - 2022

The professionals most respected by their peers to keep you smiling

- By Nancy Cooper

Nobody particularly loves going to the dentist. Nonetheless, we go, because as anyone who has ever had a toothache knows, nothing is more miserable than problems with your teeth.

According to the American Dental Association, Americans and their insurance companies spent $142.4 billion on teeth in 2020. That was only a 1.8 percent drop from 2019, even though most dentists’ offices were closed during the first months of the pandemic.

To help you find that best dentist near you, Newsweek and data firm Statista are proud to introduce our first ranking of America’s Best Dentists. We surveyed dentists in the 20 most populous states and asked them to name the best (self-nominations were not permitted). The result: a list of the 200 dentists most esteemed by their colleagues.

Interestingly, while many top dentists from the bigger states are awarded, the smaller states also hold their own in the ranking with many excellent dentists. Wherever you live, we hope you find this ranking helpful making your own choice.

Methodology

THE AMERICA‘S BEST DENTISTS 2022 ranking awards the leading 200 dentists in the U.S. Dentists from the 20 states with the most residents were included in the survey.

During the survey period from February to May 2022, over 10,000 medical experts (general dentists, specialist dentists, and dental hygienists) were invited to an online survey. Over 4,000 national votes were collected and analyzed.

A total score was calculated for each dentist based on the number of recommendations, a quality score, and if available-membership in the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD).

In-state recommendations were weighted higher than out-of-state recommendations. Most of the awarded dentists work primarily in an outpatient practice where patients can schedule direct appointments with them.

SCORING MODEL