The US Dental Cost Index is an independent 2026 dataset of average dental prices across all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, compiled by the Real Dental Costs Data & Research Team. For each jurisdiction it reports the average single dental implant price (with low/high range), the average per-tooth veneer price, the average full-course braces price, a composite Cost Index (mean of each procedure ÷ its national average × 100, where 100 = U.S. average), the state cost-of-living index, and an affordability access-and-value score (0–100). Key findings: Alabama is the cheapest state (Cost Index 76, implant $3,759) and California the most expensive (Cost Index 116, implant $5,733). Across all 51 jurisdictions, a state's cost of living correlates with its dental Cost Index at Pearson r = 0.835. This is market and pricing research, not clinical or treatment advice. Source & methodology: https://realdentalcosts.com/en/us-dental-cost-index/