by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Advanced Dentistry & Oral Sciences involves the study of Advanced/graduate Dentistry And Oral Sciences. Read on to learn the key facts every advanced dentistry & oral sciences student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering advanced dentistry & oral sciences programs.
Nationwide, advanced dentistry & oral sciences is a widely-pursued major, with 1,981 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Advanced Dentistry & Oral Sciences Schools ranking analyzes these 65 schools to determine the best overall colleges for advanced dentistry & oral sciences students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of advanced dentistry & oral sciences programs later in this article.
Coursework for Advanced Dentistry & Oral Sciences emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations advanced dentistry & oral sciences graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a advanced dentistry & oral sciences program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a advanced dentistry & oral sciences major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several advanced dentistry & oral sciences degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 5 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 3 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 31 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,899 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 43 |
People currently working in careers related to advanced dentistry & oral sciences tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 35.8% |
| Post-doctoral training | 24.8% |
| Master’s degree | 22.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 7.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.5% |
| Some college courses | 1.5% |
| First professional degree | 1.0% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in advanced dentistry & oral sciences careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying advanced dentistry & oral sciences can lead to a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to advanced dentistry & oral sciences.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to advanced dentistry & oral sciences.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Dentists, General | 2,950,097 | 1.1% |
| Orthodontists | 2,252,613 | 5.8% |
| Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons | 1,956,280 | 13.9% |
| Prosthodontists | 1,802,810 | -3.4% |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
| Dentists, All Other Specialists | 222,405 | 12.8% |
| Health Education Specialists | 169,157 | 3.7% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of advanced dentistry & oral sciences graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $209,489 |
| 4 years | $191,956 |
| 5 years | $225,886 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for advanced dentistry & oral sciences graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers advanced dentistry & oral sciences grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Dentists, General | $157,602 |
| Prosthodontists | $144,273 |
| Orthodontists | $108,772 |
| Dentists, All Other Specialists | $100,743 |
| Health Education Specialists | $81,726 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
| Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons | $39,627 |
With 65 different advanced dentistry & oral sciences programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased advanced dentistry & oral sciences school rankings to help you.
Those considering advanced dentistry & oral sciences, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
