Representing the top 10% of dentists in the United States at a pivotal moment for American consumers facing rising out-of-pocket costs and for dental practices that are dropping insurance networks at a rising rate.
NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / July 29, 2026 / Castle Connolly announces today the release of Castle Connolly’s 2026 Top Dentistsrecognizing the top 10% of dentists nationwide. Selected from more than 200,000+ practicing dentists nationwide, the list includes over 22,000 peer-nominated dentists representing all 50 states and 12 dental specialties.
Castle Connolly Top Dentists are selected through a rigorous process based on peer nominations, professional achievements and excellence in patient care. These dentists exemplify the highest standards of expertise and integrity, giving patients the confidence and guidance to make informed healthcare decisions. The recognition methodology was reviewed and supported by the Castle Connolly Advisory Board.
This inaugural publication welcomes top dentists into the Castle Connolly network after a comprehensive review using Castle Connolly’s rigorous standards for independent, merit-based recognition. The expansion expands Castle Connolly’s trusted healthcare discovery platform beyond physicians and hospitals, providing consumers with an independent resource to identify outstanding dental professionals.
The announcement comes at a pivotal moment for American consumers, who are facing rising out-of-pocket costs and more responsibility to evaluate their care options as dentists drop out of insurance networks at a rising rate.
“We are seeing a massive shift across the dental care landscape, from evolving insurance participation to increasing consumer responsibility for care decisions,” said Steve Leibforth, managing director of Castle Connolly. “As patients take a more active role in managing their own care, a trusted, independent resource like Castle Connolly Top Dentists becomes essential for making informed decisions.”
A recent study of the American Dental Association (ADA) shows that almost one in three dentists (29%) reported that insurance networks fail in the last year. Insurance-related issues, including low reimbursement rates, claim denials, and Medicare/Medicaid challenges, were the top challenge for dental practices in 2026, with more than half of dentists (55%) identifying them as a primary concern.
As more dentists leave insurance networks, the effects are increasingly felt by patients. Dentists report that nearly a quarter of their active patients enrolled in plans dropped them, forcing many to reevaluate their coverage or provider options.
During approx three quarters of Americans under 65 have dental insurance, many consumers continue to report confusion about coverage limitations, out-of-pocket costs, and what their plans actually include. This is especially true for large procedures, where typical PPO annual benefits have largely remained unchanged since the 1970sdespite decades of inflation and rising care costs.
Amid this shifting landscape, Castle Connolly’s Top Dentist List provides a trusted resource for both patients and providers, helping consumers identify dentists who have been peer-nominated and independently evaluated for excellence, while giving recognized professionals a meaningful way to differentiate themselves and connect with patients seeking quality care.
About Castle Connolly
With over 35 years of experience researching, reviewing and selecting top doctors, Castle Connolly is a highly trusted and credible source. A Study published in the Journal of Medical Research found that evidence across several specialties showed that Castle Connolly’s peer-reviewed directory was methodologically more reliable than sites that relied solely on patient reviews when it came to quality care. Our mission is to help people find the best healthcare by connecting patients with the best healthcare providers. For more information, visit https://www.castleconnolly.com.
About the Everyday Health Group
Those Everyday Health Group is a leading Pharma Commercialization, Digital Health & Wellness, and Provider Solutions Company for Life Sciences, Hospitals and Health Systems, Health Care Providers (HCPs), and Health-seeking consumers. Our mission is to drive better clinical and health outcomes through decision-making informed by highly relevant information, data and analysis. We empower healthcare providers and consumers with trusted content and services delivered through the Everyday Health Group’s world-class brands.
Contact information
Caroline Baron
Senior Director
publicrelations@castleconnolly.com
(212) 367-8400
SOURCE: Castle Connolly
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