7. Dental Careers

Careers in Dentistry

7.
Identify three career opportunities that would use skills and knowledge in dentistry. Pick one and research the training, education, certification requirements, experience, and expenses associated with entering the field. Research the prospects for employment, starting salary, advancement opportunities and career goals associated with this career. Discuss what you learned with your counselor and whether you might be interested in this career.

Dentistry is not just one job — it is an entire ecosystem of careers. Some require a decade of education. Others can launch in two years or less. All of them help people keep their mouths healthy.

Career Options in Dentistry

Here are more than three career paths to consider. Pick the ones that interest you, then choose one for your deep-dive research.

Dentist (DDS or DMD)

General dentists are the primary care providers of oral health. They examine, diagnose, and treat a wide range of dental problems. Most dentists own or co-own their practice, which means they are also small business owners.

  • Education: 4 years of college + 4 years of dental school
  • Degree: Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) — these are equivalent degrees
  • Licensure: Pass the National Board Dental Examination and a state or regional clinical exam
  • Salary range: Approximately $160,000–$210,000 per year (median around $170,000)

Dental Hygienist

Hygienists are licensed professionals who specialize in preventive oral care. They perform cleanings, take X-rays, apply fluoride and sealants, and educate patients about oral hygiene. If you had your teeth cleaned at the dental office for Req 3, a hygienist likely did that work.

  • Education: 2–4 years (associate or bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene)
  • Licensure: Pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and a state clinical exam
  • Salary range: Approximately $65,000–$90,000 per year (median around $81,000)

Dental Assistant

Dental assistants work alongside dentists during procedures, prepare treatment rooms, sterilize instruments, take X-rays, and help with patient comfort. This is one of the fastest entry points into the dental field.

  • Education: Certificate or diploma program (9–12 months), or on-the-job training in some states
  • Certification: Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) credential is available through the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) — optional in some states, required in others
  • Salary range: Approximately $38,000–$50,000 per year (median around $44,000)

Orthodontist

Orthodontists specialize in aligning teeth and correcting bite problems using braces, aligners, and other appliances. This is a specialty that requires additional training beyond dental school.

  • Education: 4 years of college + 4 years of dental school + 2–3 years of orthodontic residency
  • Licensure: Same as dentist, plus specialty board certification
  • Salary range: Approximately $200,000–$350,000+ per year

Oral Surgeon

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons perform complex procedures including wisdom tooth extractions, jaw surgery, dental implant placement, and facial trauma repair.

  • Education: 4 years of college + 4 years of dental school + 4–6 years of surgical residency
  • Licensure: Same as dentist, plus specialty board certification
  • Salary range: Approximately $250,000–$400,000+ per year

Dental Laboratory Technician

Lab technicians create the crowns, bridges, dentures, and orthodontic appliances that dentists design. This is a craft-based career that combines science with artistry. If you made a dental stone cast in Req 4b, you got a small taste of lab work.

  • Education: 2-year associate degree or certificate program, or apprenticeship
  • Certification: Certified Dental Technician (CDT) credential is available — voluntary but valued
  • Salary range: Approximately $38,000–$58,000 per year (median around $46,000)

Dental Public Health Professional

These professionals work at the population level — designing community programs, conducting research, and developing policy to improve oral health for entire communities. They might work for government agencies, nonprofits, or universities.

  • Education: Dental degree + master’s degree in public health (MPH) or related field
  • Focus areas: Water fluoridation policy, school-based sealant programs, access to care for underserved communities
An infographic showing six dental career paths from shortest to longest education: dental assistant, dental hygienist, lab technician, general dentist, orthodontist, and oral surgeon

Researching Your Chosen Career

For the career you choose to research in depth, gather information on these topics:

Career Research Guide

Information to discuss with your counselor
  • Training and education required (degrees, years of schooling)
  • Certification or licensure requirements
  • Estimated cost of education (tuition, books, equipment)
  • Typical entry-level experience required
  • Employment outlook (is demand growing, stable, or declining?)
  • Starting salary and mid-career salary
  • Advancement opportunities (specialization, management, teaching, private practice)
  • Day-to-day work environment (office, hospital, lab, community settings)
  • What you personally find interesting or challenging about this career

Where to Research

Bureau of Labor Statistics — Dentists The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook provides detailed data on education, pay, job outlook, and working conditions for dental careers. Link: Bureau of Labor Statistics — Dentists — https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dentists.htm ADA — Careers in Dentistry The American Dental Association's career exploration resources, including information on dental school, specialties, and related careers. Link: ADA — Careers in Dentistry — https://www.ada.org/resources/careers
A dental professional in scrubs and a white coat examining a digital X-ray on a wall-mounted screen in a modern dental office