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    1. Front Office

    Best states to be a dental assistant -- 2010

    July 20, 2010
    For two consecutive years, Minnesota reigned as the "best state to be a dental assistant." However, the third time was not a charm fo the state with 10,000 lakes.
    By Kevin Henry, editorFor two consecutive years, Minnesota reigned as the “best state to be a dental assistant.” However, the third time was not a charm for the state with 10,000 lakes.Using a new scoring system with new criteria, New Hampshire now holds the top spot in Dental Assisting Digest™’s annual “best state” survey. Tied for seventh in last year’s poll, New Hampshire finished in the top 10 in eight of the 12 categories this year, sending Minnesota to a second-place finish.To see our rankings from 1 to 50, please CLICK HERE.The 12 factors used to judge the states this year were …
    1. Cost of living (Column B)
    2. Percentage of state’s population to regularly see the dentist (Column C)
    3. StateMaster.com’s “best places to live” ranking, which rated 44 “livability” factors (Column D)
    4. Incidents of violent crime (Column E)
    5. High school graduation rates (Column F)
    6. Physical activity levels on a monthly basis (Column G)
    7. The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index State and Congressional District Reports presented by AHIP (Column H)
    8. Lowest current unemployment rate (Column I)
    9. Median Monthly Housing Costs for Owner-occupied Housing Units with a Mortgage (most recent) by state (Column J)
    10. Median household income (Column K)
    11. Average salary for dental assistants (Column L)
    12. Average number of sunny days per year (Column M)


    Now, you may be looking at this list and wondering why some of these particular criteria were used this year. What we tried to do was not only take into account money issues, but also where you’ll be safe (crime stats), where you and your patients might care the most about your health (physical activity levels), and where you might have the best chances to be more physically fit (average number of sunny days). Yes, not everyone owns a home, but we believe home ownership is still part of the American dream. If you think we’re off base, let us know by commenting below.

    So, how did the new criteria shake up the top 10? Take a look ...

    2009 ...

    1. Minnesota
    2. Connecticut
    3. Wisconsin
    4. Rhode Island
    5. Iowa (tie)
    6. Virginia (tie)
    7. Michigan (tie)
    8. New Hampshire (tie)
    9. Massachusetts
    10. South Dakota


    2010 ...

    1. New Hampshire
    2. Minnesota
    3. Wyoming
    4. Nebraska
    5. Utah
    6. Iowa
    7. Vermont
    8. Colorado
    9. Kansas
    10. North Dakota
    The new criteria certainly didn’t help New York, which plummeted to 47th in this year’s ranking, or Mississippi, which fell from 49th to 50th to capture the dubious honor of “worst state.” Last year’s lowest-ranking state, Louisiana, jumped to 48th, which put it just ahead of West Virginia.Here are some of the good and bad points for each state. They are listed in the order in which they finished in our 2010 “best states” survey.New Hampshire –
    • The good: Finished first in StateMaster’s “best places to live” survey and third in average salary for dental assistants.
    • The bad: Finished 40th in cost of living (so much for the high salary).
    • The ugly: Finished 44th in median monthly housing costs.
    Minnesota –
    • The good: It’s a smart, fit state as it finished first in high school graduation rates and physical activity.
    • The bad: Finished 33rd in cost of living.
    • The ugly: The high rate of physical activity must happen in gyms, as the state was 37th in average days with sunshine.
    Wyoming –
    • The good: Finished second in high school graduation rate and third in lowest incidents of violent crime and the well-being index.
    • The bad: Not a lot of the population visits the dentist, as Wyoming ended up 37th in that category.
    • The ugly: Tough place to make a living as it finished 44th in dental assistant average salary.
    Nebraska –
    • The good: Has the second lowest unemployment rate in the country.
    • The bad: Ranks 31st in terms of median household income.
    • The ugly: Gets even worse for dental assistants, as only eight other states have lower salaries.
    Utah –
    • The good: It’s first in well-being and second in physical activity levels.
    • The bad: Finished 30th in median monthly housing costs.
    • The ugly: Only three other states pay their dental assistants less.
    Iowa –
    • The good: Ranks fourth in terms of lowest unemployment rates.
    • The bad: Ranks 28th in both average number of sunny days and dental assistant salary.
    • The ugly: Ranks 34th in median household income.
    Vermont –
    • The good: It’s a safe state as it has the second lowest number of violent crimes.
    • The bad: It’s an expensive state as it ranks 43rd in cost of living.
    • The ugly: It’s a cloudy state as it ranks 47th in average number of sunny days.
    Colorado –
    • The good: Smell that fresh Rocky Mountain air? It helped the state rank fourth in the well-being index.
    • The bad: Do you like that fresh Rocky Mountain air? Well, you’re going to have to pay for it as Colorado ranks 36th in cost of living.
    • The ugly: The mortgages in Colorado and the Rocky Mountains have one thing in common ... they’re both high. The state ranks 38th in that category.
    Kansas –
    • The good: No wonder Dorothy said there’s no place like home ... the cost of living here is the 5th best in the nation.
    • The bad: Almira Gulch may have ridden her bike before becoming the Wicked Witch of the West, but she’s in the minority as Kansas ranks 27th in physical activity.
    • The ugly: How did Auntie Em pay all those farmhands with a median household income that ranks 32nd?
    North Dakota –
    • The good: People from Minot to Fargo are chanting, “We’re number one!” (in terms of lowest crime and lowest unemployment).
    • The bad: The state ranks 29th in dental assistant pay.
    • The ugly: People from Minot to Fargo are crying, “We’re number 38!” (In terms of median household income.)
    Virginia –
    • The good: The state ranks 5th in the StateMaster.com ranking system.
    • The bad: Thomas Jefferson was all for the right to bear arms, but to see his state finish 31st in terms of violent crimes? Not so much.
    • The ugly: Monticello is expensive ... and so are the other homes in the state as Virginia ranks 37th in housing costs.
    South Dakota –
    • The good: On Mount Rushmore, Lincoln leans over to Roosevelt and says, “Hey, did you know our state has the third-lowest unemployment rate in the nation?”
    • The bad: Roosevelt leans over to Jefferson and says, “Hmmm. Our state ranks 39th in the well-being index.”
    • The ugly: Jefferson leans over to Washington and says, “George, our state is 41st in median household income. Thank goodness for the tourists who pay to see us up here.”
    Connecticut –
    • The good: Look at those pearly whites shine! Connecticut’s residents go to the dentist on a more regular basis than any other state.
    • The bad: Look at those clouds! The state ranks 37th in sunny days per year.
    • The ugly: Two rankings of 46 didn’t help Connecticut, as the state finished low in cost of living and housing costs.
    Wisconsin –
    • The good: In an effort to work off the cheese curds, Wisconsin ranks sixth in physical activity.
    • The bad: Wisconsin ranks 30th in unemployment.
    • The ugly: Winters in the Badger State don’t help as Wisconsin finished 37th in average number of sunny days.
    Massachusetts –
    • The good: Five top 10 finishes in all, including third in the population’s regular visits to the dentist.
    • The bad: The state had two 28th place finishes (high school graduation and unemployment).
    • The ugly: It’s an expensive state where cost of living (41st) and monthly mortgage costs (47th) might not allow Paul Revere to retire from his day job as a silversmith.
    Maryland –
    • The good: Crab cakes for everyone! Maryland ranks third in median household income.
    • The bad: Only 11 states have more violent crimes than Maryland.
    • The ugly: Maybe you can’t afford the crab cakes because Maryland ranks 45th in cost of living.
    Idaho –
    • The good: Idaho is safe (10th in violent crimes) and inexpensive (12th in cost of living).
    • The bad: Median household income ranks just 36th.
    • The ugly: Dental assistants feel like they’re being paid small potatoes in Idaho as their income ranks 43rd in the nation.
    Delaware –
    • The good: A great place for dental assistants to earn a living as Delaware has the sixth highest salary range.
    • The bad: Ranks 30th in high school graduation rates.
    • The ugly: Well-being isn’t faring very well as Delaware ranks just 36th in this category.
    Maine –
    • The good: You can view the lighthouses and stay safe as Maine has the fifth lowest rate of violent crime.
    • The bad: Enjoy the sun while you can as Maine ranks 28th in sunny days per year.
    • The ugly: Good thing the lobstah is cheaper locally as the cost of living ranks 39th.
    Alaska –
    • The good: Dental assistants are paid more in Alaska than anywhere else in the nation.
    • The bad: Livability and population visiting the dentist are both marginal (each rank 27th).
    • The ugly: Those northern lights are beautiful to see, but expensive as Alaska ranks 48th in cost of living.
    Montana –
    • The good: Montana ranks second in terms of high school graduation rates.
    • The bad: The cost of living isn’t the best, as Montana ranks 32nd here.
    • The ugly: Only four other states have a lower median household income than Montana.
    Washington –
    • The good: Three top 10 finishes, including No. 7 in terms of dental assistant salary figures.
    • The bad: You’ll need that good salary with Washington’s ranking of 35th in cost of living.
    • The ugly: If you like a tan, Washington may not be the place for you as the state ranks 48th in terms of sunny days per year.
    Hawaii –
    • The good: Well-being (No. 2) and sunny days per year (No. 3) rankings help everyone say “Aloha!” to the idea of living here.
    • The bad: Why visit the dentist when you can surf? Hawaii ranks 27th in terms of its population having annual dental checkups.
    • The ugly: Living on the islands does have its drawbacks. No state has a higher cost of living than Hawaii.
    New Jersey –
    • The good: Negative thoughts about the Garden State? Fuhgeddaboutit. New Jersey had three top 10 finishes, including being the top state when it comes to median household income.
    • The bad: New Jersey ranks right in the middle on the well-being index (25th).
    • The ugly: No wonder Tony Soprano’s family needed a life of crime. New Jersey has the highest median monthly housing costs in the U.S.
    New Mexico –
    • The good: If you love the sun, you’ll love it here. Only Arizona has more sunny days per year than New Mexico.
    • The bad: Tough place for dental assistants as New Mexico ranks 36th in average salary.
    • The ugly: The Land of Enchantment can be disenchanting in median household income, ranking 43rd.
    Arizona –
    • The good: Big fan of El Sol? Arizona is the right place for you as it’s the sunniest state in the country.
    • The bad: Despite the sun and low humidity, Arizona’s physical activity levels are in the lower half of the country (30th).
    • The ugly: Arizona finished in the 30s in seven categories, including 37th in high school graduation rates.
    Oregon –
    • The good: Oregon ranks third in physical activity levels.
    • The bad: The state ranks 38th in cost of living.
    • The ugly: Only Alaska has fewer sunny days than Oregon.
    Rhode Island –
    • The good: Rhode Island’s population ranks fourth in regularly seeing the dentist.
    • The bad: StateMaster.com ranks Rhode Island 23rd with its “livability” factors.
    • The ugly: Only four states have a higher unemployment rate than Rhode Island.
    Missouri –
    • The good: From Kansas City to St. Louis, the cost of living is hard to beat as Missouri ranks 9th.
    • The bad: The Show Me State won’t show you the money as well as some others as it ranks 24th in average salary for dental assistants.
    • The ugly: Missouri ranks 44th in its population visiting the dentist and in well-being.
    Oklahoma –
    • The good: You’re doing fine, Oklahoma! Nowhere has a lower cost of living than Oklahoma, one of four top 10 finishes for the state.
    • The bad: Oklahoma ranks 35th in high school graduation rates.
    • The ugly: Dental Assisting Digest™’s home state ranks 41st in dental assistant salaries and 46th in population regularly seeing the dentist. Not good!
    Georgia –
    • The good: Sing it Ray Charles! Georgia ranks 10th in cost of living.
    • The bad: Georgia ranks 25th in median monthly housing costs.
    • The ugly: Hope the peaches are worth it. Georgia ranks 42nd in violent crime.
    Michigan –
    • The good: Michigan ranks 8th in population that regularly sees the dentist.
    • The bad: With a tough economy, Michigan ranks 41st in well-being.
    • The ugly: The auto industry collapse was a punch in the gut for the state and caused Michigan to have the highest unemployment rate in the nation.
    Indiana –
    • The good: No wonder Gene Hackman moved to Hickory. Indiana ranks 13th in cost of living.
    • The bad: Indiana ranks 26th in median household income.
    • The ugly: The feel-good story of “Hoosiers” didn’t do much for Indiana’s well-being, as the state ranks 45th in that category.
    Illinois –
    • The good: Illinois ranks 12th in median household income.
    • The bad: Chicago is the “Windy City,” not the “Sunny City.” Illinois ranks 35th in sunny days per year.
    • The ugly: Only four states have more violent crimes than Illinois.
    California –
    • The good: You have to love the weather as California has the fourth-highest number of sunny days per year.
    • The bad: Despite the great weather, California ranks 25th in terms of physical activity.
    • The ugly: There’s a price to pay for postcard-like weather. California had rankings of 40 or lower in five different categories, including finishing next to last in median housing costs and cost of living and 50th in violent crimes.
    Ohio –
    • The good: The Buckeye State ranks 15th in cost of living.
    • The bad: Ohio is middle of the road in physical activity, as the state ranks 26th.
    • The ugly: Clouds (Ohio is 45th in sunny days per year) and the Buckeyes losing those national championship games hasn’t helped the state as Ohio ranks 47th in well-being.
    Alabama –
    • The good: Housing costs (5th) and the cost of living (11th) are high points for Alabama.
    • The bad: The state has four categories in the 30s, including the population regularly seeing the dentist (31st).
    • The ugly: Alabama ranked 45th in physical activity and dental assistant salaries.
    Pennsylvania –
    • The good: Hard to select a “good” as The Keystone State didn’t rank in the top 20 in any category. Best ranking was 24th in median monthly housing and median household income.
    • The bad: Pennsylvania ranks 33rd in physical activity.
    • The ugly: Only seven states have more violent crime than Pennsylvania.
    Florida –
    • The good: Gotta love the sunshine! Florida is the 8th sunniest state in the country. Admit it, you thought it would rank higher than that, didn’t you?
    • The bad: Florida ranks 30th in cost of living and well-being.
    • The ugly: Only California has more violent crime than Florida.
    South Carolina –
    • The good: The weather is good (13th) as is the monthly cost for housing (18th).
    • The bad: South Carolina ranks 37th in median household income.
    • The ugly: Only two other states have higher unemployment than the Palmetto State.
    Nevada –
    • The good: Casinos? Why spend your time indoors when Nevada is the fifth sunniest state in the nation?
    • The bad: Dental assistants will need to hit a jackpot here as they rank 34th in average salary.
    • The ugly: Only Michigan has a higher unemployment rate than Nevada.
    Texas –
    • The good: Days of sunshine (No. 6) and cost of living (No. 8) will help you remember the Alamo when looking for relocation ideas.
    • The bad: The Lone Star State ranks 37th in average dental assistant salary.
    • The ugly: Texas ranks 40th or lower in five categories, including 50th in high school graduation rates.
    North Carolina –
    • The good: North Carolina ranks 15th in average dental assistant salary.
    • The bad: The Tarheel State ranks 34th in well-being and 35th in physical activity.
    • The ugly: North Carolina ranks 46th in high school graduation rates.
    Arkansas –
    • The good: Call the Hogs! It’s inexpensive to live here as Arkansas ranks second in median monthly housing costs and third in cost of living.
    • The bad: Arkansas ranks 23rd in violent crime.
    • The ugly: Arkansas ranks 48th in five different categories, including population to regularly see the dentist and dental assistant salary.
    Tennessee –
    • The good: The Volunteer State ranks second in cost of living.
    • The bad: Tennessee ranks 33rd in dental assistant salary.
    • The ugly: Only three states were ranked lower by StateMaster.com on the site’s “best places to live” survey.
    Kentucky –
    • The good: Kentucky ranks fourth in cost of living and sixth in median monthly housing costs.
    • The bad: The Bluegrass State ranks 35th in sunny days and dental assistant salary.
    • The ugly: Kentucky ranks next-to-last in physical activity levels and well-being.
    New York –
    • The good: New York ranks 16th in median household income.
    • The bad: Start spreading the news ... and umbrellas. New York ranks 37th in the number of sunny days per year.
    • The ugly: Times Square may be cleaned up, but violence still exists. Only three other states have more violent crime.
    Louisiana –
    • The good: Let the good times roll! Louisiana ranks 8th in median monthly housing costs.
    • The bad: Get them off Bourbon Street and into the practice! Louisiana ranks 35th in its population regularly seeing the dentist.
    • The ugly: Louisiana ranks 46th or lower in five different categories, including 49th in high school graduation rates.
    West Virginia –
    • The good: Nowhere in the country is cheaper to own a home than West Virginia, as it has the lowest median monthly housing costs.
    • The bad: You’ll be inside a lot as West Virginia ranks 44th in sunny days per year.
    • The ugly: The Mountaineer State finished dead last in three categories, including average dental assistant salary.
    Mississippi –
    • The good: Only two other states have cheaper homes as Mississippi ranked third in median monthly housing costs.
    • The bad: Mississippi ranks 35th in unemployment.
    • The ugly: Mississippi ranks 49th in two categories and 50th in three others. No state has a lower amount of population visiting the dentist than the Magnolia State.