The number of dentists in the world is a crucial metric for assessing the oral health workforce and planning for future dental needs. It provides insights into the availability of dental care, the distribution of dentists across regions, and the adequacy of dental education and training programs.
As of 2023, there are approximately 3 million dentists practicing worldwide. The distribution of dentists varies significantly across countries, with higher concentrations in developed regions such as North America and Europe. However, there is a growing need for dentists in developing countries, where access to oral healthcare is often limited.
