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Guide to Dental Careers – Salaries & Career Outlooks

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Dental hygiene and health are important parts of a person’s overall health. That means that dentists, as well as dental assistants, hygienists, laboratory technicians, and others involved in dental care, are quite crucial to the healthcare system. There are many opportunities available for those who are interested in dental careers. No matter how much time or money you have to invest in education, there is likely a job that you can become qualified for in the dental field. This guide can help you choose which dental career is right for you as you determine your own career path.

Below you can find an overview of the certified dental assistant, dental hygienist, dental lab assistant, and dentist careers. These include job descriptions, salary ranges, outlook data, and a list of resources on career preparation and certification and “day in the life” interviews and videos.

Become a Certified Dental Assistant™ (CDA®)

The Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) offers the national Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification. A dental assistant who holds CDA certification works closely with dentists and other dental professionals as they complete different patient procedures. For instance, a CDA certificant might be one who prepares and provides sterilized instruments for dental procedures, takes dental impressions of a patient’s teeth, or assists in the placement of crowns for damaged teeth.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the demand for dental assistants in the U.S. is growing, with a 7 percent growth rate projected between 2019 and 2029 (BLS 2021). The median salary for a dental assistant is $41,180 per year. It is important to note that BLS statistics refer to all dental assistants and do not distinguish between those who are DANB CDA certified and those who are not.

Because a CDA certificant has proven their experience and knowledge, in many cases, they can expect to earn higher salaries than their uncertified counterparts. In fact, DANB’s latest salary survey information shows that dental assistants who hold CDA certification earn nearly $2 more per hour than non-certified dental assistants.

In order to become DANB certified, dental assistants must pass examinations in the following three topics: General Chairside Assisting (GC), Radiation Health and Safety (RHS), and Infection Control (ICE).

In order to qualify for the GC examination, applicants must either have graduated from a dental assisting program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation or have accumulated at least 3,500 hours of approved work experience in dental assisting. All applicants must also be CPR certified prior to sitting for the examinations and have completed high school. You do not have to hold CDA certification in order to be a dental assistant in every state, but some states do require certification and/or state registration.

Learn more about becoming a CDA by visiting the following informative links:

  • Dental Assisting National Board: The Dental Assisting National Board is the certification board for dental assistants, providing the examinations necessary to hold CDA certification. You will find all the necessary resources to prepare and register for national certification exams on their site.
  • Dental Assistant Instructional Videos: The University of Florida School of Dentistry has made a number of instructional videos available for free on their website. These videos cover such basic assisting information as a review of basic dental instruments and how to assist during a basic dental surgery.
  • Dental Assistant: The American Dental Association offers a range of facts about how dental assistants help dentists and the ways in which the career can be a rewarding experience. The ADA fact sheet and brochure can help explain the different educational pathways and career opportunities.
  • American Dental Assistants Association: The American Dental Assistants Association is a professional organization for all dental assistants. Membership can provide insurance opportunities, professional services discounts, and educational and networking opportunities.
  • Dental Assistant Requirements by State: The DALE Foundation compiled an interactive map that outlines the requirements for becoming a dental assistant in all of the 50 states.
  • DentalAssistant.net Links to Resources: For even more resources on dental assisting, check out this list of links. It includes easy access to dental assistant education, career opportunities, and many state dental assistant associations.
  • The DALE Foundation: The DALE Foundation, the official DANB affiliate, offers online review courses and practice tests to help dental assistants prepare for DANB exams and earn continuing education. There is also a free informational video about “Your Career as a Dental Assistant.”

Become a Dental Hygienist

The dental hygienist career is one that involves a high degree of patient interaction. Dental hygienists provide dental cleanings by removing plaque and tartar from teeth, take dental x-rays, compile and track patient care plans, and educate patients on proper dental health care routines such as brushing and flossing. In many dental offices, hygienists spend much more time with patients than the dentist, meaning this job requires not only a great deal of dental education but also patience and a good bedside manner.

Becoming a dental hygienist generally requires at minimum a two-year associate’s degree in dental hygiene. Many colleges and universities also offer bachelor’s degrees in dental hygiene. A bachelor’s degree can lead to more advanced roles, management opportunities, higher wages, and better employability.

As with many health professions, licensure for dental hygienists is dictated by the state where the hygienist chooses to practice. Most states have a basic education prerequisite and require hygienists to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination. Many states also have their own certification exam, so all prospective hygienists should be sure to check with their local state agencies to determine the specific requirements.

Because dental hygienists require more education, they can demand higher salaries than dental assistants. BLS statistics have the median wage for dental hygienists at $77,090 per year, which is nearly double the median salary for dental assistants (BLS 2021). Further, the demand for hygienists is growing quite quickly, at a rate of 6 percent through 2029. This is faster than the average for all jobs, which currently stands at just four percent. Clearly, there are and will continue to be many opportunities for dental hygienists in the coming years.

If you want to explore the career further, be sure to check out the following links:

  • American Dental Hygienist Association: The ADHA is the largest professional association for dental hygienists in the U.S. The group provides its member with educational scholarships and grants, continuing education resources, networking opportunities, and information on emerging hygienist technologies.
  • RDHMag: This online magazine for registered dental hygienists contains articles and opinions from hygienists around the country, designed to educate and connect those who are pursuing this dental career.
  • Dental Hygiene: The University of Bridgeport offers a bachelor’s of science in dental hygiene. It can be completed as a stand-alone program or as a completer degree for hygienists who have an associate’s degree. Admissions are competitive, and students must complete prerequisite coursework, submit letters of recommendation, and write a personal statement.
  • Resources for Dental Hygienists: This list of professional and educational resources is meant to be helpful for both practicing hygienists and those interested in pursuing the career. It includes schools, publications, and career opportunities.
  • 6 Tips on How to Be a Successful Dental Hygienist: DentistryIQ provides some helpful tips to aspiring dental hygienists in this article written by an experienced hygienist.

Become a Dental Lab Technician

Those who want to work in the dental field but not necessarily in the mouths of patients may want to consider a career as a dental lab technician, sometimes referred to simply as a dental technician. These specialists work with dentists to create prosthetic and restorative devices for implantation in patients. This might include bridgework, dentures, and crowns. These types of creations cannot be mass-produced because each one is unique, making this an essential and highly detail-oriented job, perfect for those with an eye for detail and an interest in dentistry.

While there are no formal educational or licensing requirements to become a dental lab technician, most incoming lab technicians do have at minimum a high school diploma. There are also certifications available from the National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology (NBC). Prerequisites for this certification are either a formal dental technician education or at least five years of work experience. Certification is available in:

  • Orthodontic appliances
  • Crowns and bridges
  • Complete dentures
  • Partial dentures
  • Implants
  • Ceramics

According to the BLS, the median salary for a dental laboratory technician is $45,230 per year (BLS 2021). The demand projections tracked by the BLS include dental lab technicians as well as ophthalmic lab technicians and medical appliance technicians but overall is expected to grow at the rate of 9 percent through 2029 (BLS 2021).

The following resources may help you explore the career of dental laboratory technician:

Become a Dentist

Certainly, the best-known dental career is that of a dentist. Along with their support staff, dentists work to ensure the overall oral health of their patients through regular cleanings, check-ups, cancer screenings, cavity fillings, and any necessary surgeries or implants. Dentists examine not only the teeth but also the jaw, gums, and tongue to ensure overall health. Many dentists work in private practice, either on their own or with partners and associates. It can be a rewarding and flexible career that also offers high rates of compensation for those who are willing to put in the work.

Becoming a dentist requires quite a bit of education. Most dentists start with a bachelor’s degree in a science such as biology or chemistry (although most dental schools do not require a specific major) and then proceed to dental schools where they can earn their Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD). Most dental schools do require that incoming applicants take the Dental Acceptance Test (DAT) during the application process to ensure their readiness.

Dentists are compensated quite well across the country, with the median annual salary being $164,010 (BLS 2021). Specialists such as oral surgeons and orthodontists can expect even higher salaries. The dental occupation is expected to grow by 3 percent through 2029, which is somewhat slower than the average for all occupations (BLS 2021).

Dentists must be licensed in the state where they practice, but state requirements vary. Most states require some iteration of a written exam, practical exam, and accredited education.

Review the following links for more information on what it takes to become a dentist:

  • A Day in the Life of a Dental Student: This video from the toothcareers YouTube channel features an interview with a dental student and can therefore give some insight into what it is like to study to become a dentist.
  • American Dental Association: The ADA provides resources not only for dentists and prospective dentists but also for dental patients and the whole range of dental professionals. There should be resources on their site that can help direct you towards an answer for any dental question you may have.
  • Why become a dentist?: A personal perspective from the British Dental Journal gives some idea as to why people pursue dentistry and what they find most rewarding about the job.
  • Pre-Dent Resources: This list of resources for undergraduate students who want to pursue dental school may be a great help to those who are not quite sure where to turn for pre-dental support.
Kimmy Gustafson
Kimmy Gustafson Writer

With her passion for uncovering the latest innovations and trends, Kimmy Gustafson has provided valuable insights and has interviewed experts to provide readers with the latest information in the rapidly evolving field of medical technology since 2019. Kimmy has been a freelance writer for more than a decade, writing hundreds of articles on a wide variety of topics such as startups, nonprofits, healthcare, kiteboarding, the outdoors, and higher education. She is passionate about seeing the world and has traveled to over 27 countries. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oregon. When not working she can be found outdoors, parenting, kiteboarding, or cooking.

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