New York has been identified as the state with the highest rate of dental malpractice reports, with 3.41 reports for every 100 dentists, according to a recent analysis conducted by Ohio Personal Injury Lawyer John Fitch.  

“For many people, visiting the dentist is already a nerve-wracking experience. This data shows that in certain states, this fear might not be entirely unfounded due to higher rates of malpractice reports. The findings should serve as a warning for both patients and dentists in the states mentioned and urge them to take the correct precautions,” said a spokesperson for John Fitch. 

Malpractice reports were examined against dentists and dental hygienists from the National Practitioner Data Bank spanning from 2021 to 2024 and compared to the number of registered dentists in each state. 

In total, New York reported 483 malpractice cases against 14,146 dentists during the 4-year period. The year 2023 recorded 155 malpractice reports, the second-highest total for any state that year. As of 2024, New York has seen 82 additional malpractice reports. 

Trailing New York, New Mexico ranks second with 3.27 malpractice reports per 100 dentists. Despite having significantly fewer dentists—only 1,008—New Mexico logged 33 malpractice reports from 2021 to 2024, with nearly 40% filed in 2023, marking it as the highest year for dental malpractice in the state. 

Maryland comes in third, with 3.07 reports for every 100 dentists. The state recorded 42 malpractice reports in 2022, its highest year, and had 39 reports in 2023. So far in 2024, Maryland has seen 18 malpractice cases filed. 

South Carolina holds the fourth spot, with 2.93 reports per 100 dentists. Since 2021, the state has had 73 malpractice reports filed against 2,493 dentists, with 16 claims already reported in 2024—a 33% increase compared to 2021. 

Oklahoma ranks fifth, showing 2.86 malpractice reports per 100 dentists. The state’s highest year was 2023, when 16 reports were filed, following 15 in 2022 and 14 in 2021. So far in 2024, 12 reports have been recorded. 

California, with the largest total number of dental malpractice reports at 828, ranks sixth with 2.73 reports per 100 dentists. Nevada follows in seventh place, recording 2.68 reports per 100 dentists, with 21 malpractice claims filed in 2022 alone. 

Vermont and Florida tie for eighth place, each with 2.62 reports per 100 dentists. Vermont's highest year was in 2022, with 4 reports, while Florida saw 105 malpractice reports in the same year. 

New Jersey is ninth, with 2.31 reports per 100 dentists. From 2021 to 2024, the state recorded a total of 167 malpractice reports against 7,227 dentists, with 60 filed in 2022. Wyoming rounds out the top 10 with 2.29 reports per 100 dentists, experiencing a staggering 600% increase in malpractice reports compared to North Dakota, which has the fewest number of reports.