Relocating to another state as a dentist: how to narrow down cities for a new practice

If you're a dentist moving to another state and want to open or buy a practice, narrow the search in three passes: first the states where you can get licensed and want to live, then the metros and counties inside them with room for another practice, then specific areas around possible sites. At each pass, compare residents per general dental practice, household income, population growth and age, using a practice count that has been verified, not one copied from an online map.

State averages range widely. California has 2,870 residents per general dental practice and Delaware has 5,753, against a US average of 3,858. Inside every state, the gap between its crowded and open areas is larger still.

What you won't get from an instant report. An automated report can describe one address. It can't tell you where other dentists are already looking, whether the offices nearby actually exist, or whether a busy market is still open. Dentagraphics can: 118,330 practices verified by hand, 12 years of research from more than 10,000 paid customers, and custom reports with handwritten analysis by a demographer.

Pass 1: Pick two or three states

Start with what the data can't decide for you:

Licensing. Check how the state dental board handles licensure by credentials or by exam, and how long it takes. This can rule a state in or out.
Where you want to live. Family, cost of living, schools and climate matter more than any ratio.
Your practice model. Fee-for-service practices depend on high-income areas. Insurance-heavy practices need volume.

Then compare your shortlist with our table of residents per general dental practice by state. Some states pair fast growth with room for more practices:

State	Residents per general practice	Population growth
South Carolina	4,664	8.0%
North Carolina	4,486	6.5%
Tennessee	4,762	5.3%
Georgia	4,902	4.9%
Texas	4,014	7.8%
Florida	3,800	8.8%
Idaho	3,839	9.6%

Source: Dentagraphics state pages, hand-verified practice counts; Census ACS. US average: 3,858.

Florida, Idaho and Texas are growing fast, but they're already near the US average, so dentists are moving in too.

Pass 2: Compare metros and counties

Within a state, metros and counties differ far more than states do. Among the 25 largest metros, the San Francisco Bay Area has 2,442 residents per general practice and St. Louis has 4,458. See the 25 largest metros ranked, or open any state's page and drill into its metros and counties.

Inside the San Antonio metro alone, counties range from 3,094 residents per general practice to 7,025. That's why the county step matters.

At this pass, look for:

Room: more residents per practice than nearby counties.
Income that fits your practice model.
Growth, especially new housing on the edge of a metro.
Age mix: young families, retirees or both.

Pass 3: Narrow to specific areas and sites

Once you have a few counties, compare areas around possible sites, usually within about 5 miles or a 10 to 15 minute drive. Two sites a few miles apart can face very different competition.

This is also where verification matters most. Online directories list offices that closed, duplicates and dentists who moved. Dentagraphics checks every practice by hand and rechecks each one every year.

It also helps to know where other dentists are looking. On our metro pages, the areas dentists research most on Dentagraphics are often already crowded, while open areas nearby get little attention.

Should you buy or start from scratch in a new state?

If you're new to an area, buying an existing practice gives you patients, staff and local reputation on day one. Starting from scratch lets you pick the exact site and build your own culture, but it takes longer to reach full revenue. Many dentists moving states look at both. To find practices that aren't listed, see how to find a dental practice to buy that isn't listed for sale.

Frequently asked questions

Which states have the most room for new dental practices? By residents per general dental practice, Delaware (5,753), West Virginia (5,594), Alabama (5,485), New Mexico (5,468) and Mississippi (5,361) have the most residents for each practice. More room on paper doesn't guarantee demand; check income and growth too.

Which states are most crowded with dental practices? California (2,870 residents per general practice), New Jersey (2,944), Washington DC (3,136), Massachusetts (3,142) and Illinois (3,301).

How do I compare cities in different states fairly? Use the same measures for every city: residents per verified general practice in the same size area, household income, growth and age. Compare counties or areas around sites rather than whole metros.

How long does it take to get a dental license in another state? It depends on the state. Check the state dental board's rules for licensure by credentials before you commit to a move.