California's Dental Shortage: The Case for a New Dental School
California has 593 dental shortage areas affecting over 3.6 million residents, yet its dentist count hasn't grown in a decade. We examine the data and argue for a new dental school.
2 min read
The state of California currently features a total of 593 Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas (DHPSAs). Over 3,634,892 Californians live within these DHPSAs, an increase of 32.65% from 2024. Within these areas, only 32.65% of dental needs are met. In order to remove these designations a minimum of 577 additional dentists are needed throughout the state (HRSA, 2026).
Currently, the state’s dental schools produce a total of 728 graduates per year if the recently established California Northstate University College of Dental Medicine is included (Beckersdental). However, California has seen a 0% increase in dentists from 2014-2024 and has its lowest number of dentists per 100,000 population since 2011 (ADA). This considered, at least one new dental school is needed to address these shortages.
Further, the majority of these shortages occur in rural and disadvantaged areas. Given that five of the seven dental schools in the state are private and carry a much higher price tag and average debt (approximately $357,595 compared to around $184,290 for public), this new dental school must be designed to offer the lowest possible graduate debt-load in order to make practicing in these areas feasible, not causing more than an average of $150,000 in debt for graduates.
Such a dental school is needed in the state now. The need will only grow as oral care grows harder for millions to access as time passes and dentists retire. A school like this can train students in places where care is needed most. East Carolina University proves doing so improves outcomes while economically benefiting the communities where students are trained. New dental practices in many underserved areas create five jobs per dentist (Ruralhealthworkforce). Getting dentists (and other health professionals) into California’s most underserved areas will support the physical and financial health of people living there while creating thousands of jobs and having a multi-million dollar impact on the economic welfare of individuals and communities statewide.
