Dental Careers
With the proper education and experience, you can work as any member of a dental team. Laboratory technicians, hygienists, and assistants diagnose, prevent, and treat oral conditions and diseases under the guidance of a licensed dentist.
This guide can help you start a dental career by providing an overview of the academic and industry requirements in the field. You can also gain insight into professional development sources, including major dentistry associations and publications.
Why Pursue a Dental Career?
Dental careers allow you to transform the lives of patients by carrying out procedures that eliminate pain, restore oral health, and prevent future problems. In addition to excellent earning potential, dentists can be their own bosses by opening up private practices. Even entry-level dental careers tend to come with flexible schedules and stable employment opportunities.
Although dentists must have advanced knowledge and manual dexterity, they still depend on the support of their team members. Successful practitioners are expert communicators who prioritize collaboration and conflict resolution. Dental professionals also need to develop research skills to educate their communities and shape the future of healthcare.
Popular Online Healthcare Programs
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Dental Career Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that most careers in the dental field will grow at a rate faster than the average U.S. occupation. General dentist positions are projected to increase by about 8% between 2018 and 2028. Dental laboratory technicians, dental hygienists, and dental assistant positions are each projected to undergo 11% growth over the same time period.
Dentists earn some of the highest salaries in the healthcare field. According to the BLS, dentists earn a median annual salary of $159,200, making slightly better salaries if they run their own business. Additionally, orthodontists, prosthodontists, and oral/maxillofacial surgeons regularly earn more than $208,000 each year.
Factors like geographic location, employer, and experience impact dental salaries. The table below provides wages for four common dentistry occupations based on a worker’s experience level.
| Job Title | Entry-Level (0-12 months) | Early Career (1-4 Years) | Midareer (5-9 Years) | Experienced (10-19 Years) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dental Assistant | $30,750 | $31,330 | $33,010 | $35,770 |
| Dental Laboratory Technician | $33,250 | $38,230 | $45,940 | $51,240 |
| Dental Hygienist | $55,130 | $55,870 | $61,370 | $63,960 |
| Dentist | $119,030 | $124,770 | $138,820 | $149,540 |
Source: PayScale
Skills Gained in a Dental Program
To succeed in dentistry, professionals need several hard and soft skills. Higher education programs develop vital interpersonal, organizational, and research skills.
Dental Career Paths
Dental degrees typically do not offer traditional concentrations. Instead, students can prepare for a specialized dental career by completing several years of additional training after graduating from dental school.
Most dentists do not pursue a specialization, instead working as general practitioners who offer many types of preventative and diagnostic care. Only about 20% of dentists work exclusively in a specialization. The American Dental Association (ADA) currently recognizes several dental specializations, including the four detailed below.
Dental Anesthesiology
These specialists apply dental and anesthesiology skills to manage patients’ pain, anxiety, safety, and overall health before and during surgical and diagnostic procedures. Dental anesthesiologists administer local and general anesthesia, adjust dosages, and monitor patient response and recovery.
Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
Orthodontists specialize in the diagnosis, prevention, interception, and correction of orofacial issues and abnormalities. Orthodontists straighten patients’ teeth by applying precise pressure through braces and other wearable devices. Patients may see orthodontists for cosmetic or health reasons.
Periodontics
Specialists working in periodontics focus on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases affecting dental supporting structures, such as the gums. Periodontists may work with patients for cosmetic or health reasons. Common periodontics procedures include scaling, root planing, and dental implanting.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons diagnose and treat diseases, injuries, and defects affecting the hard and soft tissues of the mouth and jaw. These specialists work with patients for cosmetic and health reasons. Common procedures include removing impacted teeth and performing reconstructive surgery of the jaw.
How to Start Your Dental Career
There is a large wage and required educational gap between different dental careers. You can work as a dental assistant or laboratory technician by completing a certificate program, while earning an associate degree enables you to apply for dental hygienist positions.
To become a licensed dentist, you must earn a doctor of dental surgery (DDS) or a doctor of medicine in dentistry (DMD) degree.
Most students who want to become dentists spend four years earning a bachelor’s degree and another four years in dental school. Some colleges and universities offer accelerated tracks that combine the two programs, allowing learners to graduate in about six years.
Dental Careers by Education Level
Dental Assisting Certificate
Entry-level dental assistants do not always need formal education or training. Some dental offices train their own assistants, while others prefer to hire dental assistants with a certificate. Some states also require these workers to be certified.
The Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) accredits more than 250 dental assistant programs throughout the United States. Even in states that do not require formal education, enrolling in a CODA-accredited program can boost a dental assistant’s job prospects and salary.
Dental assistance certificate programs typically require about a year to complete, although part-time, accelerated, and online options are also available. Coursework typically offers a mix of classroom lectures and lab work, covering subjects like sterilization, disinfection, dental tools, and X-rays.
What Can You Do With a Certificate in Dentistry?
Dental assistants help dentists with administrative and medical tasks. They schedule appointments and maintain patient records. These professionals also sterilize equipment and prepare the work area for procedures. During treatment, assistants hand instruments to dentists and make sure patients are comfortable.
Median Annual Salary:$40,080
Source: BLS
Associate Degree in Dentistry
No schools currently offer associate degrees in dentistry. Aspiring dentists should begin their education by enrolling in a bachelor’s program.
Associate programs in the dental field are geared toward students pursuing entry-level careers, like technicians and hygienists. Associate degrees in dental assisting are not especially common — certificate programs typically fulfill the minimum education requirements for this career.
Dental assistants who do choose to pursue an associate degree can expect to complete the same type of coursework as a certificate program. They also complete general education courses, and some learners may participate in a dental office internship.
Most dental associate degrees are awarded by dental hygiene programs. Typically offered at community colleges and technical schools, dental hygiene associate degrees fulfill the minimum education requirements for many entry-level positions. To ensure future licensure eligibility, students should enroll in a CODA-accredited program.
In an associate program, dental hygiene students learn through a combination of classroom instruction, lab work, and clinical experiences at dental facilities. Common areas of study include anatomy and physiology, nutrition, medical ethics, and patient management. Students improve their professional communication abilities, develop an affinity for dental tools, and learn skills related to radiography.
What Can You Do With an Associate Degree in Dentistry?
These professionals look for signs of oral disease and provide preventative care like removing tartar and plaque. They also educate patients on proper oral hygiene and develop personalized treatment plans. Dental hygienists sometimes work part time in several dentist offices.
Median Annual Salary:$76,220
Source: BLS
Bachelor’s Degree in Dentistry
Before applying to dental school, aspiring dentists must earn a bachelor’s degree. Since there are few bachelor’s in dentistry programs, students typically major in biology, chemistry, or a closely related field.
Enrolling in a nonscience discipline may make completing dental school prerequisites difficult. Some universities offer pre-dental or pre-dentistry tracks, either within a larger science major or as a supplemental option to a bachelor’s track. A pre-dental program ensures that students will fulfill dental school prerequisites, which typically consist of several credits of biology, chemistry, and physics classes.
In some cases, dental hygienists may also seek a bachelor’s degree. Common courses at this level include practice management, dental hygiene research, and instructional methods. While an accredited associate degree typically fulfills the minimum education requirements for state licensure and entry-level employment, a bachelor’s can open the door to higher salaries and advanced career opportunities.
Master’s Degree in Dentistry
No dentistry fields require a master’s degree, but earning this degree can bolster your dental school applications and provide career advancement opportunities.
Graduate students in dental hygiene focus on dentistry, public health, management, and education. Programs typically require an internship or a practicum.
Depending on the program, students can expect to develop skills related to research, management, and classroom teaching. Earning a master of science in dental hygiene can lead to advanced employment opportunities. For example, graduates can secure management positions in dental practice settings or begin careers in academia or research.
Students may pursue a master of science in dentistry before or after dental school. Earning this degree immediately after a bachelor’s can enhance a dental school application. It can also help working professionals earn a higher salary or begin a career in a specialization, such as orthodontics, periodontics, or endodontics.
Doctoral Degree in Dentistry
Aspiring dentists should complete a doctoral degree at one of the 66 accredited dental schools in the United States. Dental school graduates earn a DDS or DMD. Despite the difference in title, these two credentials require the same courses.
Earning a doctoral degree in dentistry typically takes four years. Students begin their education by studying human organ systems, including normal and abnormal functions. Learners also take courses in microbiology, pathology, radiology, oral medicine, and anaesthesia.
As their program progresses, students spend less time in the classroom and more time gaining clinical experience. A doctoral degree in dentistry provides students with the advanced knowledge and skills required to succeed as competent and compassionate healthcare providers, practice managers, and lifelong learners.
After gaining licensure, students may begin working as dentists.
What Can You Do With a Doctorate in Dentistry?
Dentists diagnose and treat oral conditions like sensitive teeth, periodontitis, gum disease, and mouth cancer. They repair or remove damaged teeth, prescribe medication, and apply whitening agents. These knowledgeable professionals also teach patients about brushing and flossing techniques.
Median Annual Salary:$155,600
Source: BLS
Dental Licensure
Dental careers typically require government or state licensure. To work as a dental hygienist, students need to earn an associate degree from a CODA-accredited school. Candidates then sit for the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination. If they pass, they can apply for a registered dental hygienist license from their state.
Similarly, individuals who want to become a dental laboratory technician must earn a certificate or associate degree from any of the 24 official training programs. Upon graduation, they can take the National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology exam and apply for a certified dental technician state license.
After earning a bachelor’s, prospective dentists must complete four years of intensive training at one of the 65 CODA-accredited dental schools to earn their DDS or DMD. Students who want to specialize in an ADA-approved subfield add two more years to their doctoral program.
While specific criteria differ by location, each state requires aspiring dentists to pass both the written and clinical portions of the National Board Dental Examination.
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How to Advance Your Dental Career
The following sections provide guidance on how to advance your dental career after earning initial licensure.
The steps you should take depend on your location, employer, and specific role. However, regardless of your target dental career, networking and continuing education are crucial to expanding your professional contacts and staying current on changes in the field.
Advancement might also mean a career change. In lieu of a traditional role as part of a dental team, you can consider alternative opportunities in fields like medical production and public health.
Certifications
Practicing dentists can advance their careers by earning certification in a dental specialty. ADA currently recognizes 12 specializations, including oral medicine and orofacial pain, which received formal approval in early 2020.
Each specialty is governed by a national organization that maintains professional guidelines and training programs. For example, generalists can become a certified oral pathologist by passing the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology exam. They can gain the skills needed to work as a dentist anesthesiologist by completing an official residency.
Similarly, dental assistants can access more lucrative jobs by earning professional certification. Laboratory technicians may hone their skills to support the prosthodontics and orthodontics dental specialties. Advancement opportunities for dental hygienists include corporate, research, and administrative roles.
Continuing Education
Dentists who want to add a specialization usually need to complete additional residency training to obtain certification. Professionals may also pursue continuing education by completing a fellowship program. ADA offers grant funding to general dentists who want to transition into an academic career or work as a dental education program director.
Entry-level dental professionals who want to become licensed dentists must earn a doctoral degree. However, individuals who are not ready to take this huge step can still take affordable online courses to gain knowledge in areas like infection prevention in dental settings and sedation in pediatric dentistry.
Likewise, dental hygienists can take online courses from the American Dental Hygienists Association (ADHA), which offers on-demand and self-paced options.
Next Steps
In addition to helping practitioners develop new insights and skills, continuing education is a requirement for maintaining professional certification and state licensure. For example, certified dental laboratory technicians must complete 12 hours of continuing education during each one-year renewal cycle. This requirement includes six hours of technical/scientific coursework.
Career advancement also involves connecting with colleagues through local gatherings or online using platforms like LinkedIn. Professionals should consider joining organizations in their field and attending national conventions to meet potential mentors and employers.
How to Switch To a Dental Career
Switching to a dental career is relatively straightforward if you want to work as a hygienist, laboratory technician, or dentist assistant. Enroll in a six-month certification program or earn an associate degree in about two years and apply for state licensure, if necessary.
To become a dentist, you must earn a doctorate. Depending on the program and your academic background, you may need to complete prerequisite coursework before taking the Dental Admission Test. ADA-accredited dental schools are notoriously competitive, so do not be discouraged if you are not admitted on your first try.
You could also consider an alternative dental career that allows you to apply some of your current skills. For example, finance professionals can work for a dental insurance provider, and sales representatives may find employment with a dental products company. Additionally, radiographers can advance their career by specializing in dental maxillofacial radiography.
Where Can You Work as a Dentist?
Industries
Dentists’ Offices
Owned and operated by dentists, private practice offices employ assistants, hygienists, and sometimes multiple dentists. These professionals work together to meet the ongoing oral care needs of their patients.
Average Annual Salary: $180,660
Outpatient Care Centers
Often owned and operated by corporations rather than individuals, outpatient centers — including dental clinics — may employ general dentists and specialists to meet patient needs in one location without the need for referrals.
Average Annual Salary: $157,950
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
Dentistry professionals working in hospital settings meet the oral care needs of individuals in inpatient settings. Hospitals may also employ specialists, including maxillofacial surgeons, orthodontists, and pediatric dentists.
Average Annual Salary: $145,650
Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities
Facilities housing patients in a residential setting may employ dentists and dental hygienists to care for patients’ oral health needs. Professionals may provide preventative care and treatment to residents.
Average Annual Salary: $197,370
Physicians’ Offices
Though considerably less common than dental office employment, some dental professionals may find work in doctors’ offices, where they work closely with physicians and nurses to meet the oral and overall health needs of patients.
Average Annual Salary: $160,670
Source: BLS
Locations
Location can impact a dentist’s earning potential and employability. Due to the size of its general population, California houses the most dentists (16,220 workers). New York, Texas, and Florida follow with dentist populations of 8,780, 8,590, and 7,110 individuals.
Rhode Island and Vermont offer the best salaries to dentists, who earn average annual salaries of $262,900 and $261,790, respectively. However, these states each employ fewer than 400 dentists, which could indicate scarce employment opportunities. When looking at where to practice, you should also factor in cost of living.
Choose Your State Below
Interview With a Dentist
Dr. Mica Bartels, DMD, is a family and cosmetic dentist who has practiced in the Stow-Munroe Falls community in Ohio since 2001.
She earned her bachelor of science in biology at Asbury College before heading to dental school at the University of Kentucky. Dr. Bartels strives to bring her patients the gentlest, most up-to-date dental care possible. Her recent continuing education pursuits include a series of lectures on the latest techniques in cosmetic and esthetic dentistry taught by Dr. Ross W. Nash.
Resources for Dental Professionals
The following sections provide tools to help you start and advance your dental career. These resources include free massive open online courses (MOOCs) through platforms like Coursera and edX, as well as influential research journals and professional magazines. You can also learn about major organizations in the industry.
Frequently Asked Questions about Dental Careers
What are some dental careers?
Career options for dentistry majors depend on an individual’s level of education. By completing a certificate, you can become a dental assistant or laboratory technician. An associate degree qualifies you for dental hygienist positions. To work as a licensed dentist, you must earn a doctoral degree.
What are the 12 dental specialties?
ADA-approved dental specializations include dental anesthesiology; dental public health; endodontics; and oral/maxillofacial pathology, radiology, and surgery. Practitioners may also specialize in prosthodontics, periodontics, pediatric dentistry, oral medicine, or orofacial pain. Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics is the last option.
How do I become a dentist?
To work as a licensed dentist, you must earn a doctoral degree from an CODA-accredited school. You must then sit for the National Board Dental Examination, which consists of a written portion and a clinical exam. With a passing score, you can apply for licensure as long as you have also fulfilled individual state requirements.
What is the highest-paying job in dentistry?
According to the BLS, oral/maxillofacial surgeons, orthodontists, and prosthodontists earn the highest median salaries; these workers have the potential to make over $208,000 each year.
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