by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Pediatric Dentistry/Pedodontics covers Pediatric Dentistry/pedodontics. A Program That Focuses On The Advanced Study Of The Therapeutic And Preventive Care Of The Oral Health Of Children From Birth Through Adolescence, And The Care Of Adults With Physical, Mental, And Emotional Disabilities. Includes Instruction In Developmental Oral Biology, Preventive Medicine, Diet Therapy And Counseling, Patient Management, Pediatric Restorative Procedures, Pulp Therapy, Trauma Management, Anesthesia, Treatment Planning, And The Treatment Of Handicapped Patients. Examples: [Pediatric Dentistry/pedodontics (Cert.)], [Pediatric Dentistry/pedodontics (Ms)], [Pediatric Dentistry/pedodontics (Phd)]. Read on to learn the key facts every pediatric dentistry/pedodontics major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering pediatric dentistry/pedodontics programs.
In the U.S., pediatric dentistry/pedodontics is a widely-pursued major, with 154 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Pediatric Dentistry/Pedodontics Schools ranking analyzes these 23 schools to determine the best overall colleges for pediatric dentistry/pedodontics students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of pediatric dentistry/pedodontics programs later in this article.
Coursework for Pediatric Dentistry/Pedodontics emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations pediatric dentistry/pedodontics graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a pediatric dentistry/pedodontics program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a pediatric dentistry/pedodontics major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several pediatric dentistry/pedodontics 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 154 |
People currently working in careers related to pediatric dentistry/pedodontics tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 64.9% |
| Master’s degree | 14.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 5.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 5.3% |
| Some college courses | 5.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 3.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.8% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in pediatric dentistry/pedodontics careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in pediatric dentistry/pedodontics opens doors to numerous career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to pediatric dentistry/pedodontics.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to pediatric dentistry/pedodontics.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Dentists, General | 2,950,097 | 1.1% |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of pediatric dentistry/pedodontics graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow 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 pediatric dentistry/pedodontics graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers pediatric dentistry/pedodontics grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Dentists, General | $157,602 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
With 23 different pediatric dentistry/pedodontics programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased pediatric dentistry/pedodontics school rankings to help you.
Students interested in pediatric dentistry/pedodontics, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
