Dentist
There are 125,190 active dentist providers in the United States, distributed across 93 states. A dentist is a person qualified by a doctorate in dental surgery (D.D.S.) or dental medicine (D.M.D.), licensed by the state to practice dentistry, and practicing within the scope of that license. Th The directory pages currently published below cover 3 states.
By state
Top metros
- HOUSTON, TX 1,299 providers
- SAN ANTONIO, TX 741 providers
- DALLAS, TX 615 providers
- AUSTIN, TX 431 providers
- ATLANTA, GA 287 providers
- FORT WORTH, TX 242 providers
- EL PASO, TX 184 providers
- PLANO, TX 179 providers
- KATY, TX 161 providers
- BOISE, ID 139 providers
- ARLINGTON, TX 137 providers
- MARIETTA, GA 127 providers
- IRVING, TX 125 providers
- SPRING, TX 114 providers
- AUGUSTA, GA 112 providers
- SUGAR LAND, TX 101 providers
- FRISCO, TX 100 providers
- GARLAND, TX 94 providers
- CARROLLTON, TX 92 providers
- CORPUS CHRISTI, TX 82 providers
Related taxonomy codes
- General Practice (Dentist) 181,926 active providers 1223G0001X
- Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics (Dentist) 21,444 active providers 1223X0400X
- Pediatric Dentistry (Dentist) 17,760 active providers 1223P0221X
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Dentist) 13,041 active providers 1223S0112X
- Endodontics (Dentist) 9,518 active providers 1223E0200X
- Periodontics (Dentist) 8,920 active providers 1223P0300X
- Prosthodontics (Dentist) 4,850 active providers 1223P0700X
- Dental Public Health (Dentist) 1,806 active providers 1223D0001X
- Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology (Dentist) 894 active providers 1223P0106X
- Dental Anesthesiology (Dentist) 568 active providers 1223D0004X
- Orofacial Pain (Dentist) 272 active providers 1223X2210X
- Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology (Dentist) 227 active providers 1223X0008X
About dentist
A dentist is a person qualified by a doctorate in dental surgery (D.D.S.) or dental medicine (D.M.D.), licensed by the state to practice dentistry, and practicing within the scope of that license. There is no difference between the two degrees: dentists who have a DMD or DDS have the same education. Universities have the prerogative to determine what degree is awarded. Both degrees use the same curriculum requirements set by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation. Generally, three or more years of undergraduate education plus four years of dental school is required to graduate and become a general dentist. State licensing boards accept either degree as equivalent, and both degrees allow licensed individuals to practice the same scope of general dentistry. Additional post-graduate training is required to become a dental specialist.
Frequently asked
What does a dentist provider do?
Dentist providers are healthcare professionals classified under the NUCC Healthcare Provider Taxonomy. Refer to the NUCC taxonomy definitions and your state licensing board for scope of practice details.
How do I verify a dentist provider's NPI?
Every NPI on Praxis MD has a verifiable record in the official CMS NPPES registry. Open NPPES to confirm, then check the issuing state board for current license status.
How current is this data?
Each page shows the CMS NPPES source snapshot date used to build it. Use the linked CMS record when you need the latest source entry.