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Dental Cleaning Cost by State: 50-State Price Comparison (2026)

Updated April 2026

National average for a routine adult cleaning: $125. Deep cleaning per quadrant national average: $220. Data sourced from ADA Health Policy Institute fee surveys, FAIR Health regional cost data, and CMS fee schedules.

Below avgMore than 10% below national average
AverageWithin 10% of national average
Above avgMore than 10% above national average
StateRoutine CleaningDeep Cleaning (per quadrant)vs National Average
Alabama$85-$110$160-$240Below avg
Alaska$130-$200$200-$320Above avg
Arizona$100-$155$175-$270Average
Arkansas$80-$105$155-$235Below avg
California$130-$200$200-$330Above avg
Colorado$110-$165$180-$280Average
Connecticut$140-$210$210-$340Above avg
Delaware$115-$170$185-$285Average
Florida$100-$160$175-$280Average
Georgia$95-$145$170-$265Average
Hawaii$145-$220$215-$350Above avg
Idaho$90-$135$165-$255Below avg
Illinois$110-$165$180-$285Average
Indiana$95-$140$165-$260Below avg
Iowa$90-$130$160-$250Below avg
Kansas$90-$130$160-$250Below avg
Kentucky$82-$108$155-$240Below avg
Louisiana$90-$135$165-$255Below avg
Maine$110-$160$180-$275Average
Maryland$120-$180$190-$300Above avg
Massachusetts$145-$225$215-$350Above avg
Michigan$100-$148$170-$265Average
Minnesota$110-$160$180-$280Average
Mississippi$78-$100$150-$230Below avg
Missouri$90-$135$165-$255Below avg
Montana$95-$140$165-$260Average
Nebraska$90-$130$160-$250Below avg
Nevada$110-$165$180-$280Average
New Hampshire$120-$175$190-$295Average
New Jersey$135-$205$205-$330Above avg
New Mexico$90-$135$165-$255Below avg
New York$150-$250$225-$370Above avg
North Carolina$95-$140$168-$260Average
North Dakota$88-$125$160-$245Below avg
Ohio$95-$140$168-$260Average
Oklahoma$85-$120$160-$248Below avg
Oregon$115-$170$185-$285Average
Pennsylvania$110-$165$180-$280Average
Rhode Island$120-$180$190-$300Average
South Carolina$90-$135$165-$255Below avg
South Dakota$88-$125$158-$245Below avg
Tennessee$90-$135$165-$255Below avg
Texas$100-$155$175-$270Average
Utah$100-$148$172-$265Average
Vermont$120-$175$190-$295Average
Virginia$115-$170$185-$285Average
Washington$120-$180$190-$300Average
West Virginia$80-$108$155-$235Below avg
Wisconsin$100-$148$170-$265Average
Wyoming$90-$135$165-$255Below avg
Washington, DC$155-$260$230-$380Above avg

Most Expensive States for Dental Cleanings

New York
$175-$250
Highest cost of living; NYC dominates
Massachusetts
$145-$225
Boston metro drives costs up
Washington, DC
$155-$260
Federal capital premium
Connecticut
$140-$210
High income, high overhead
Hawaii
$145-$220
Island supply constraints

Most Affordable States for Dental Cleanings

Mississippi
$78-$100
Lowest cost of living in US
Alabama
$85-$110
Low overhead, rural character
Arkansas
$80-$105
Lower dentist costs passed on
West Virginia
$80-$108
Rural, lower overhead
Kentucky
$82-$108
Lower metro area concentration

Why Dental Cleaning Costs Vary by State

Cost of living

Rent, staff wages, and utilities are higher in California and New York than in rural Alabama. These costs are passed on in dental fees.

Dentist-to-population ratio

States with fewer dentists per capita often have less price competition. Rural areas within any state tend to cost more than urban areas with multiple dental offices nearby.

Malpractice insurance premiums

Dentist liability insurance costs significantly more in New York, New Jersey, and California than in low-litigation states. This adds hundreds per month to overhead.

State Medicaid dental coverage

States with generous adult Medicaid dental benefits have more dentists accepting public insurance, which creates competition for self-pay patients and can reduce prices.

Urban vs rural mix

Even within the same state, costs vary 40-80%. Manhattan vs upstate New York, or Los Angeles vs the Central Valley, can show the same price spread as two different states.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which state has the most expensive dental cleaning?
New York has the highest average dental cleaning costs, at $175-$250 for a routine prophylaxis. Massachusetts, Connecticut, California, and Hawaii round out the top five most expensive states. High cost of living, high dentist-to-patient ratios in urban areas, and high malpractice insurance costs all contribute to elevated dental prices in these states.
Which state has the cheapest dental cleaning?
Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, West Virginia, and Kentucky consistently show the lowest average dental cleaning costs, typically $75-$100 for a routine cleaning. Lower cost of living, lower dentist overhead costs, and lower malpractice insurance premiums contribute to the lower prices. Rural areas within these states may be even less expensive.
Why do dental cleaning costs vary by state?
Five main factors drive state-level dental cost variation: cost of living (rent, staff salaries), the dentist-to-population ratio (fewer dentists in rural areas can mean higher prices), malpractice insurance premiums (much higher in New York than in Mississippi), state Medicaid dental coverage generosity (affects what dentists receive for covered patients), and local market competition (more dental offices in urban areas creates pricing pressure).

Data note: State averages are compiled from ADA Health Policy Institute fee survey data, FAIR Health regional cost data, and CMS Medicare fee schedules. These are averages across all practice types and should be used as a starting point. Your actual cost depends on your specific dentist, practice type, and whether you have insurance. Call 2-3 local offices for actual quotes.

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