by our College Data Analytics TeamWith the increasing public knowledge of important oral hygiene, Dental Support Services majors are becoming part of a fast growing occupation.
Students majoring in Dental Support Services learn how to diagnose and treat oral diseases and abnormalities while providing services that help prevent any oral issues. You will take classes in chemistry, biology, anatomy and physiology, genetics, psychology, and other dental related courses to gain the skills to properly conduct oral examines, cleanings, and aid in surgeries or other procedures. This degree prepares students for a career as a dental hygienist or to continue their education to become a dentist.
Along with the option to major in Dental Assisting, students have the option to specialize in Dental Hygiene, Dental Laboratory Technology, and Dental Services and Allied Professions.
A degree in Dental Support Services covers Dental Support Services And Allied Professions. Continue reading for the key facts every dental support services major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering dental support services programs.
In the U.S., dental support services is a popular field of study, with 24,761 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Dental Support Services Schools ranking analyzes these 744 schools to determine the best overall colleges for dental support services students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of dental support services programs later in this article.
Coursework for Dental Support Services build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations dental support services graduates commonly enter.
Dental Support Services professionals are responsible for checking the condition of teeth and gums to help prevent infections or other abnormalities; this means professionals should be detail oriented and conduct thorough examinations. You should be organized and ensure all medical records are in proper order and kept up to date. Students who are successful in this career also have strong interpersonal skills as they are working directly with patients and must keep them comfortable when performing procedures.
Students who pursue a degree in Dental Support Services should prepare for a full time job in a dental office. You will work with multiple patients during the day and conduct teeth and gum examinations to ensure your patients' oral health.
Students who wish to become dental hygienists or dental lab technicians must only obtain an associate's degree, although bachelor's and master's degrees are available. Those who want to pursue a career as a dentist must attend dentist school and obtain an advanced degree.
In order to practice any type of dental service, you must be licensed by the state. The requirements vary state by state, so it is important to check the laws in the state you will be practicing in.
The skill set built by a dental support services program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a dental support services major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several dental support services 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 | 10,289 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 7,435 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 2,470 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 4,151 |
People currently working in careers related to dental support services tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 36.5% |
| Master’s degree | 16.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 11.7% |
| Post-doctoral training | 9.0% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 7.3% |
| First professional degree | 5.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 4.0% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.7% |
| Some college courses | 1.3% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.2% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in dental support services careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Graduates with a degree in Dental Support Services pursue careers in a variety of dental related services. Some graduates go on to dental school to become dentists and work at or run their own practice, while other students become dental hygienists or lab technicians.
A degree in dental support services can lead to numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to dental support services.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to dental support services.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Hygienists | 3,299,832 | -4.9% |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
| Dental Assistants | 561,559 | 5.0% |
| Dental Laboratory Technicians | 124,616 | 11.2% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of dental support services graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $28,149 |
| 4 years | $30,974 |
| 5 years | $33,855 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for dental support services graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers dental support services grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienists | $101,356 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
| Dental Assistants | $25,445 |
| Dental Laboratory Technicians | $25,417 |
With 744 different dental support services programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased dental support services school rankings to help you.
Students interested in dental support services, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Dental Assisting/Assistant | 15,557 |
| Dental Hygiene/Hygienist | 8,802 |
| Dental Laboratory Technology/Technician | 295 |
| Dental Services and Allied Professions, Other | 107 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
