Dental Explorers In The United States
Written by the Equate Instruments Technical Team · Reviewed by the Medical & Dental Board, Equate Instruments · Published ·
Clinics and distributors in the United States can buy dental explorers directly from Equate, which lists 64 references. In 2019, an estimated 42.6% of children aged 1-9 in the United States had untreated caries of deciduous teeth (WHO).
Key points
- In 2025, the United States had 60.0 dentists per 100,000 people, with ratios varying by state (ADA Health Policy Institute).
Dentists in the United States at a glance
- Dentists in the US (ADA HPI supply series): 163,409 (2001) to 202,485 (2024)
- +23.9% since 2001
- Dentists in the US (ADA HPI supply series): 163,409 (2001) to 202,485 (2024)
- American Dental Association Health Policy Institute, 2024
- In 2025, the United States had 205,088 professionally active dentists (ADA Health Policy Institute).
- 205,088
- In 2025, the United States had 205,088 professionally active dentists (ADA Health Policy Institute).
- American Dental Association Health Policy Institute, 2025
- In 2025, the United States had 60.0 dentists per 100,000 people, with ratios varying by state (ADA Health Policy Institute).
- 60
- In 2025, the United States had 60.0 dentists per 100,000 people, with ratios varying by state (ADA Health Policy Institute).
- American Dental Association Health Policy Institute, 2025
- In 2025, 39.4% of US dentists were women and 21.2% were specialists (ADA Health Policy Institute).
- 39.4
- In 2025, 39.4% of US dentists were women and 21.2% were specialists (ADA Health Policy Institute).
- American Dental Association Health Policy Institute, 2025
- dental schools listed
- 15
- dental schools listed
- Equate research
- Untreated caries, age 5+24.3%
- Severe periodontal disease, 15+15.7%
- No natural teeth, 20+10.2%
The dark line marks the median of Equate's 22 markets. Source: WHO Oral Health Country Profiles 2022 (2019 estimates).
Which types of dental explorers do clinics in the United States stock?
- Pigtail and cowhorn explorers
- 11/12 explorers
- Explorer-probe combinations
How are dental explorers regulated in the United States?
In the United States, dental devices are classified under 21 CFR Part 872, the FDA's Dental panel (FDA).
Which dental explorers does Equate supply to the United States?
Local guides: Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle.
Popular Equate dental explorers for the United States
All products
dental explorers
Dental Explorer Fig. 8A Extra Thin - Solid Handle 6mm
EI-1920
dental explorers
Explorer Fig. 17 Hollow Handle 10mm
EI-1925
dental explorers
Dental Explorer Fig. 8A - Hollow Handle 10mm
EI-1928
dental explorers
Explorer Fig. 9 Hollow Handle 10mm
EI-1929
dental explorers
Explorer 5 - Double-Ended Diagnostic Explorer
EI-0044
dental explorers
Explorer Fig. 2 Extra Thin - Solid Handle 6mm
EI-0132
dental explorers
Fig. 9 Extra Thin Dental Explorer - 6 mm Solid Handle
EI-0178
dental explorers
Explorer 11-12 Blue
EI-1179
How should dental explorers be cleaned and sterilised in the United States?
In the United States, the CDC's Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings, published in 2003, cover sterilization and disinfection of patient-care items, among other areas (CDC MMWR).
In 2019, total US expenditure on outpatient dental care was an estimated US$133,506 million, or US$405 per person (WHO).
What is the the United States market like for dental explorers?
In 2025, the United States had 60.0 dentists per 100,000 people, with ratios varying by state (ADA Health Policy Institute).
In 2025, 39.4% of US dentists were women and 21.2% were specialists (ADA Health Policy Institute).
Where do dental students in the United States learn to use dental explorers?
Dental explorers are part of clinical training at the United States's 15 dental schools, including University of Iowa College of Dentistry and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Adams School of Dentistry.
What do dentists in the United States search for when buying dental explorers?
In North America, dental explorers draw about 9,900 searches a month (Google Keyword Planner bands, October 2025 to September 2026). The most searched terms are "dental explorer", "dental explorer 11 12", "dental explorer tool" and "endo explorer".
Why do dentists in the United States need dental explorers?
A dental explorer is a slender hand instrument with a fine, sharp, flexible tip that the clinician uses to feel the tooth surface. See the full guide to dental Explorers.
Why do practices in the United States buy dental explorers from Equate?
- Clinics in the United States can request samples and a quote before committing to a full order.
- Direct from the manufacturer: practices in the United States order 64 dental explorers references without a distributor mark-up in between.
Social listening
What dental professionals and students in the United States discuss online
Buying or leasing dental school instrument kits
CriticalStudents say schools set the required kit, so they cannot shop around, and yearly instrument fees run from a few thousand dollars to well over ten thousand. Many schools are moving to leasing, which students like because broken or worn instruments are replaced and the school controls sterilisation.
“renting is better” (Student Doctor Network, 2009)
- Instrument kits and freebies· Student Doctor Network, 2023
- Dental Schools & Instruments: Rented vs Bought?· Student Doctor Network, 2009
- Possible to save $$$ on dental school equipment?· Student Doctor Network, 2012
Equate's summary of public threads on Student Doctor Network, read 2026-10-27. No posters are named and brand names are left out; thread links are listed in the page's data file.
Equate data
The Equate dental explorers range for the United States
Catalogue explorer: 64 references
Starter kit for a new practice in the United States
- Shepherd's hook:Shepherd's Hook Explorer No.23EI-0035
- Subgingival explorer:Explorer 11-12 BlueEI-1179
What buyers search for
About 9,900 searches a month across 18 related terms.
- dental explorer5,000
- dental explorer 11 12500
- dental explorer tool500
- endo explorer500
- endo explorer dental500
- explorer dental instrument500
Your Regional Executive · North America
Ahmed Kamal
Regional Executive, Long Island, NY
Frequently asked questions
Can clinics in the United States buy dental explorers directly from Equate?
Yes. Equate sells directly to clinics, dental groups and distributors in the United States. The Regional Executive for North America handles quotes, samples and volume pricing.
References
- World Health Organization (2019)
- US Food and Drug Administration (2026)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2003)
- American Dental Association Health Policy Institute (2025)
- Gehrig JS, et al. Fundamentals of Periodontal Instrumentation & Advanced Root Instrumentation. Wolters Kluwer (instrument design and explorers)
- Ekstrand K, Qvist V, Thylstrup A. Light microscope study of the effect of probing in occlusal surfaces. Caries Research 1987;21(4):368–374
- Ismail AI, Sohn W, Tellez M, et al. The International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS): an integrated system for measuring dental caries. Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology 2007;35(3):170–178
I am a… in the United States
