Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences graduates pursue 4 occupations, with top roles paying $289,140/yr or more. The career cards below break down wages, daily tasks, and 10-year job growth projections for each.
About Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences
Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences is a focused area of study within Health. The program is available at 69 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 1,845 students complete this program each year, most earning a master's. Training is clinical and hands-on, often leading to licensure or certification.
Colleges Offering
69
Graduates / Year
1,845
Avg Net Price / yr
$25,278
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 1,845 students who complete Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences programs each year, the majority (45%) earn a master's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
45%44%
Master's45%
Post-Master's Cert.44%
Post-Bacc Cert.6%
What Can You Do With an Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences Degree?
Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences connects to 4 occupations in the job market. Orthodontists leads at $289,140/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Doctoral or professional degree200 openings/yr6K employed nationally
Active ListeningSpeakingCritical ThinkingMonitoringComplex Problem Solving
Day-to-day responsibilities
Examine, diagnose, and treat dental malocclusions and oral cavity anomalies. Design and fabricate appliances to realign teeth and jaws to produce and maintain normal function and to improve appearance.
Diagnose teeth and jaw or other dental-facial abnormalities.
Examine patients to assess abnormalities of jaw development, tooth position, and other dental-facial structures.
Study diagnostic records, such as medical or dental histories, plaster models of the teeth, photos of a patient's face and teeth, and X-rays, to develop patient treatment plans.
Doctoral or professional degree3,900 openings/yr124K employed nationally
Judgment and Decision MakingCritical ThinkingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningSpeaking
Day-to-day responsibilities
Examine, diagnose, and treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth and gums. May treat diseases of nerve, pulp, and other dental tissues affecting oral hygiene and retention of teeth. May fit dental appliances or provide preventive care.
Use masks, gloves, and safety glasses to protect patients and self from infectious diseases.
Examine teeth, gums, and related tissues, using dental instruments, x-rays, or other diagnostic equipment, to evaluate dental health, diagnose diseases or abnormalities, and plan appropriate treatments.
Administer anesthetics to limit the amount of pain experienced by patients during procedures.
Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.
Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
Provide and manage health education programs that help individuals, families, and their communities maximize and maintain healthy lifestyles. Use data to identify community needs prior to planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating programs designed to encourage healthy lifestyles, policies, and environments. May link health systems, health providers, insurers, and patients to address individual and population health needs. May serve as resource to assist individuals, other health professionals, or the community, and may administer fiscal resources for health education programs.
Prepare and distribute health education materials, such as reports, bulletins, and visual aids, to address smoking, vaccines, and other public health concerns.
Develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with agencies and organizations interested in public health care.
Maintain databases, mailing lists, telephone networks, and other information to facilitate the functioning of health education programs.
Top Colleges for Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences
The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Health Programs
Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences is one of 31 specializations within Health. The comparison below shows where this program ranks by 4-year median earnings.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
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Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences Degree: Pros & Cons
The data on Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences shows 2 measurable strengths and 2 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.
PROS
Fast-growing fieldRelated careers are projected to grow up to +17.3% over the next decade, with Health Specialties Teachers among the fastest-growing roles.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 39,400 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
Licensure often requiredMost roles in this field require state licensure or certification before you can practice. Budget time and costs for board exams alongside your degree.
Advanced degree often expectedTop roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
What jobs can you get with a Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences degree?
Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences degree holders pursue careers including Orthodontists, which pays a median of $289,140/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.
How long does a Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences program take?
While a bachelor's in this area takes four years, many Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences students continue to a master's degree, adding one to two years. Some schools offer accelerated 5-year combined programs.
How many colleges offer Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences?
69 colleges and universities in the United States offer Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
What is the difference between Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences and Health?
Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences is a focused concentration within the broader Health field. The Health major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.
What skills do employers look for in Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences graduates?
Employers hiring Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences graduates consistently prioritize clinical judgment, patient communication, and evidence-based decision-making. Licensure, certifications, and supervised clinical hours are typically required or strongly preferred in most roles.
Is graduate school worth it for Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences graduates?
In health fields, advanced degrees (nurse practitioner, physician assistant, doctor of physical therapy) typically unlock significantly higher salaries and expanded scope of practice, making graduate education a strong investment for most students. The right answer depends on your career goals, program cost, and whether your target role explicitly rewards an advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences graduates?
The job outlook for Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences graduates is moderate overall. Related occupations project an average of +7.6% job growth over the next 10 years. Health Specialties Teachers is among the strongest-growth roles at +17.3%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.
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