Dental Clinical Sciences: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Dental Clinical Sciences is a specialized academic pathway designed to advance the clinical and scientific expertise of dental professionals. This program emphasizes the integration of advanced oral sciences with hands-on clinical training, preparing practitioners for leadership roles in specialized dental fields.
- Oral Pathology: Study of diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial regions, including diagnosis, etiology, and management of pathological conditions.
- Oral Radiology: Application of imaging technologies to detect and assess dental and craniofacial abnormalities, supporting accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.
- Endodontics: In-depth focus on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases related to the dental pulp and root structures.
- Periodontics: Advanced training in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases affecting the supporting structures of the teeth, including gums and bone.
- Prosthodontics: Specialized instruction in restoring and replacing missing teeth and oral tissues using crowns, bridges, implants, and dentures.
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: Clinical and surgical training in procedures involving the mouth, jaw, face, and associated structures, including trauma and reconstructive interventions.
- Advanced Clinical Techniques: Mastery of state-of-the-art diagnostic tools, surgical protocols, and patient management strategies in complex dental care settings.
Dental Clinical Sciences Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Dental Clinical Sciences Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Dental Clinical Sciences degrees, including Dentists, All Other Specialists and Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 235,620 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dentists, All Other Specialists 29-1029 | $225,770 | $75,360 - $239,200 | 5,900 | $108.54 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1071 | $105,620 | $51,760 - $239,200 | 229,720 | N/A |
Dental Clinical Sciences Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $48,090 in Hawaii to $182,705 in Massachusetts—a 280% difference. The highest-paying states include Massachusetts, Arkansas, and Texas. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 235,620 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Dental Clinical Sciences by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 26 institutions offering Dental Clinical Sciences programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Dental Clinical Sciences is found at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) (57 graduates), New York University (NYU) (54 graduates), University of Alabama (UAB), Birmingham (29 graduates), Ohio State University, Main Campus (29 graduates), and Indiana University (IU Indianapolis), Indianapolis (23 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 426 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nova Southeastern University (NSU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
57 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Private | nova.edu |
| New York University (NYU) |
Post-Master's
|
54 | New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
| University of Alabama (UAB) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
29 | Birmingham, Alabama | Public | uab.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
29 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| Indiana University (IU Indianapolis) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
23 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | indianapolis.iu.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Master's
|
22 | Chapel Hill, North Carolina | Public | unc.edu |
| University of Florida (UF) |
Master's
|
20 | Gainesville, Florida | Public | ufl.edu |
| The University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) |
Master's
|
18 | Memphis, Tennessee | Public | uthsc.edu |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus |
Master's
|
16 | Denver, Colorado | Public | ucdenver.edu |
| University of Maryland (UMB) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
16 | Baltimore, Maryland | Public | umaryland.edu |
| The University of Texas Health Science Center |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
16 | San Antonio, Texas | Public | uthscsa.edu |
| Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) |
Master's
|
16 | Richmond, Virginia | Public | vcu.edu |
| University of Rochester |
Master's
|
13 | Rochester, New York | Private | rochester.edu |
| University of Connecticut (UConn) |
Master's
|
11 | Storrs, Connecticut | Public | uconn.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Master's
|
11 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
| Rutgers University |
Master's
|
11 | New Brunswick, New Jersey | Public | newbrunswick.rutgers.edu |
| University at Buffalo (UB) |
Master's
|
11 | Buffalo, New York | Public | buffalo.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
11 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | pitt.edu |
| Harvard University |
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | harvard.edu |
| West Virginia University (WVU) |
Master's
|
8 | Morgantown, West Virginia | Public | wvu.edu |
| University of Kentucky (UK) |
Master's
|
7 | Lexington, Kentucky | Public | uky.edu |
| University of Toledo (UToledo) |
Master's
|
6 | Toledo, Ohio | Public | utoledo.edu |
| University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) |
Post-Master's
|
5 | Omaha, Nebraska | Public | unmc.edu |
| University of Iowa |
Post-Master's
|
3 | Iowa City, Iowa | Public | uiowa.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Post-Master's
|
3 | College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
| University of Louisville (UofL) |
Master's
|
2 | Louisville, Kentucky | Public | louisville.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Dental Clinical Sciences programs
How much can I earn with a Dental Clinical Sciences degree?
Salaries for Dental Clinical Sciences graduates vary by role and location. Dentists, All Other Specialists earn a median of $225,770 annually, while Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $105,620. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Massachusetts average $182,705 compared to $48,090 in Hawaii. Approximately 235,620 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Dental Clinical Sciences programs?
Currently 26 accredited institutions offer Dental Clinical Sciences degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Nova Southeastern University (NSU) (57 graduates), New York University (NYU) (54 graduates), and University of Alabama (UAB), Birmingham (29 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Dental Clinical Sciences growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 345 in 2010 to 426 in 2023-24. This represents a 23% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Dental Clinical Sciences degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Dentists, All Other Specialists, Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, . Related occupations employ approximately 235,620 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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