by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, advanced dentistry and oral sciences was the 249th most popular major nationwide with 1,775 degrees awarded. This is a difference of 75 over the prior year, a growth of 4.2%.
This year's Best Advanced Dentistry & Oral Sciences Schools ranking compares 50 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of dentistry and oral science programs later in this article.
Talking to others to convey information effectively has been highlighted as one of the most essential skills for careers related to dentistry and oral science. Required skills include giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times and using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
advanced dentistry and oral sciences degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Once you obtain your degree, additional dentistry and oral science certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
There are various different levels of dentistry and oral science degrees. Advanced Dentistry & Oral Sciences programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest dentistry and oral science degree you can get. Depending on the advanced dentistry and oral sciences degree you choose, obtaining your diploma can take anwhere from 1 to 4+ years.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A doctor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to dentistry and oral science, with approximately 25.4% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for dentistry and oral science workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Post-Doctoral Training | 39.9% |
| Doctoral Degree | 29.7% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 11.1% |
| Master’s Degree | 8.3% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 6.5% |
67.0% of dentistry and oral science workers have at least a doctorate. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in advanced dentistry and oral sciences have received.
This of course varies depending on which dentistry and oral science career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your dentistry and oral science degree? Advanced Dentistry & Oral Sciences careers are expected to grow 23.2% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to advanced dentistry and oral sciences.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Professors | 294,000 | 25.9% |
| Dentists | 158,500 | 19.4% |
| Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons | 8,100 | 19.1% |
| Orthodontists | 7,800 | 18.2% |
| Dentists | 7,300 | 14.1% |
Recently graduated advanced dentistry and oral sciences students earned an average of $181,409 in 2019-2020. Earnings can range from as low as $104,166 to as high as $248,696. As you might expect, salaries for dentistry and oral science graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for advanced dentistry and oral sciences graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers dentistry and oral science grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons | $242,370 |
| Orthodontists | $225,760 |
| Prosthodontists | $191,400 |
| Dentists | $178,800 |
| Dentists | $175,840 |
With over 387 different dentistry and oral science degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased dentistry and oral science school rankings to help you with this.
One of 30 majors within the Health Professions area of study, Advanced Dentistry & Oral Sciences has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| General Dental Clinical Sciences | 404 |
| Orthodontics/Orthodontology | 297 |
| Advanced General Dentistry | 210 |
| Oral Biology & Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology | 151 |
| Pediatric Dentistry/Pedodontics | 144 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Nursing | 322,592 |
| Health & Medical Administrative Services | 89,359 |
| Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services | 84,492 |
| Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants | 84,274 |
| Allied Health Professions | 82,308 |
