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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. Figures are our estimates from FAIR Health regional cost data and CMS fee schedules; the ADA discontinued its national fee survey in 2023.

The last column counts the dental practices registered in each state in the federal NPI registry, 133,251 nationally. Follow a count to see that state's metro areas, what kinds of dentistry they register, and every practice by city: the US dental practice directory.

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 AverageRegistered practices
Alabama$85-$110$160-$240Below avg1,718
Alaska$130-$200$200-$320Above avg399
Arizona$100-$155$175-$270Average3,484
Arkansas$80-$105$155-$235Below avg1,235
California$130-$200$200-$330Above avg18,604
Colorado$110-$165$180-$280Average3,323
Connecticut$140-$210$210-$340Above avg1,574
Delaware$115-$170$185-$285Average315
Florida$100-$160$175-$280Average8,223
Georgia$95-$145$170-$265Average3,041
Hawaii$145-$220$215-$350Above avg673
Idaho$90-$135$165-$255Below avg933
Illinois$110-$165$180-$285Average5,631
Indiana$95-$140$165-$260Below avg2,454
Iowa$90-$130$160-$250Below avg941
Kansas$90-$130$160-$250Below avg1,070
Kentucky$82-$108$155-$240Below avg1,243
Louisiana$90-$135$165-$255Below avg1,115
Maine$110-$160$180-$275Average576
Maryland$120-$180$190-$300Above avg2,590
Massachusetts$145-$225$215-$350Above avg4,557
Michigan$100-$148$170-$265Average4,631
Minnesota$110-$160$180-$280Average2,379
Mississippi$78-$100$150-$230Below avg847
Missouri$90-$135$165-$255Below avg1,811
Montana$95-$140$165-$260Average357
Nebraska$90-$130$160-$250Below avg685
Nevada$110-$165$180-$280Average1,306
New Hampshire$120-$175$190-$295Average767
New Jersey$135-$205$205-$330Above avg3,786
New Mexico$90-$135$165-$255Below avg724
New York$150-$250$225-$370Above avg6,201
North Carolina$95-$140$168-$260Average4,455
North Dakota$88-$125$160-$245Below avg319
Ohio$95-$140$168-$260Average3,273
Oklahoma$85-$120$160-$248Below avg1,605
Oregon$115-$170$185-$285Average1,671
Pennsylvania$110-$165$180-$280Average4,127
Rhode Island$120-$180$190-$300Average389
South Carolina$90-$135$165-$255Below avg2,172
South Dakota$88-$125$158-$245Below avg407
Tennessee$90-$135$165-$255Below avg2,160
Texas$100-$155$175-$270Average12,655
Utah$100-$148$172-$265Average1,401
Vermont$120-$175$190-$295Average275
Virginia$115-$170$185-$285Average3,566
Washington$120-$180$190-$300Average4,077
West Virginia$80-$108$155-$235Below avg450
Wisconsin$100-$148$170-$265Average1,746
Wyoming$90-$135$165-$255Below avg235
Washington, DC$155-$260$230-$380Above avg347

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 our estimates compiled from FAIR Health regional cost data and CMS Medicare fee schedules; no national dental fee survey exists since the ADA discontinued its Survey of Dental Fees in 2023. 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.

Related guides
Find a Practice Near YouWithout InsuranceLow-Cost OptionsFull Cost Overview

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Updated 2026-04-27