Dent County Health Data

Dent County, Missouri

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

20/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

71.1 yr

Uninsured Rate

13.9%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

71.1 yr

State avg 74.3 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

13.9%

State avg 12.5%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

28

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

150

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

22.2%

State avg 20.4%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

13.8

per 100K residentsCDC: 27.7 per 100K

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

27.6

per 100K residents

Provider counts from CMS NPPES (National Provider Identifier Registry). Data current as of 2026.

Chronic Disease & Behavioral Health

These prevalence estimates come from the CDC PLACES program (Population-Level Analysis and Community Estimates), which combines BRFSS survey data with statistical modeling to produce county-level rates. Estimates are age-adjusted to enable fair comparisons across counties with different age distributions. Use them to spot where Dent County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureDentState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity39.3%39.0%37.6%near state average
Diabetes11.1%11.0%11.2%near state average
High Blood Pressure34.3%34.0%33.5%near state average
Depression26.2%26.4%24.1%near state average

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureDentState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking20.4%19.4%16.3%1.0 pts worse than state
Binge Drinking17.4%17.5%17.8%near state average
Physical Inactivity31.6%31.0%27.0%0.6 pts worse than state

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureDentState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup75.6%75.8%74.9%near state average
Dental Visit (past year)53.4%55.4%57.3%2.0 pts worse than state
Mammography (women 50–74)69.4%71.9%73.3%2.5 pts worse than state

Daily-life impact

MeasureDentState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress20.1%19.8%18.6%near state average
Short Sleep Duration40.7%39.4%37.3%1.3 pts worse than state

These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Dent County nationally on mammography (women 50–74).

Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.

Data Story

Primary Care Provider Access in Dent County Missouri

Health data brief for Dent County, Missouri.

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorPublished Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor
Lead metric:Primary care access

Dent County has 28 primary care providers for every 100,000 residents, a figure that is less than half of the national median of 70 per 100,000. In comparison, the county's life expectancy is 71.1 years, which is shorter than the Missouri state mark of 74.3 years and the national measure of roughly 77 years. Health survey data shows that 22.2% of residents report being in poor or fair health, a rate higher than the national figure of 17%. The uninsured rate in the county stands at 13.9%, while the Missouri state rate is 12.5% and the national rate is 10%. Additionally, the county has 150 mental health providers per 100,000 people, which trails the national median of 250 per 100,000 residents. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.

Get Care in Dent County, Missouri

Direct contact information for hospitals and community health resources serving this county. Hospital quality ratings come from CMS Care Compare — the federal program that measures hospital performance on safety, patient experience, and outcomes.

Salem Memorial District Hospital

ER
4/5
(573) 729-6626
Po Box 774, Salem, MO 65560
Critical Access HospitalsGovernment - Hospital District or Authority

Sources: Hospital data: CMS Care Compare. Quality ratings: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Community health center directory: HRSA. Last reviewed 2026-05-14.

Information is for general guidance only and is not medical advice. Always call ahead to confirm services, hours, and insurance accepted. In a medical emergency, dial 911.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Dent County, MO?
Dent County has a health score of 20/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #103 out of 115 counties in Missouri (1 = healthiest). The score is based on CDC County Health Rankings data, combining life expectancy, uninsured rates, provider access, and behavioral health indicators.
What is the life expectancy in Dent County?
Life expectancy in Dent County is 71.1 years. The Missouri state average is 74.3 years, making Dent County below the state average.
How does Dent County health compare to the Missouri average?
Dent County's health score of 20/100 is below the Missouri average of 38/100. Life expectancy is 71.1 years vs. the state average of 74.3 years. The uninsured rate is 13.9% vs. 12.5% statewide.
What health factors affect Dent County?
Key health factors for Dent County include: life expectancy (71.1 years), uninsured rate (13.9%), and primary care physician access (28:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 150:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Dent County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 20/100 ("Below Average"), Dent County faces health challenges compared to other counties in Missouri. Residents have a life expectancy of 71.1 years. 13.9% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
What are the biggest health challenges in Dent County?
Dent County's health score of 20/100 is below the Missouri average of 38/100. The uninsured rate of 13.9% means a significant portion of residents may face barriers to healthcare. Improving health outcomes often requires investment in healthcare infrastructure, insurance coverage expansion, and community health programs.

Counties with Similar Health Profile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

Data Sources

Health data sourced from the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, a collaboration between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute.

Data is informational only. Not medical or health advice. Coverage varies by county and reporting year.