Pediatric Dentistry: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Pediatric Dentistry is a specialized field dedicated to the comprehensive oral health care of children from infancy through adolescence, as well as individuals with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities. This advanced program prepares professionals to deliver preventive, therapeutic, and rehabilitative dental services tailored to the unique developmental and behavioral needs of young patients and those with special health care requirements.
- Developmental Oral Biology: Explores the growth, structure, and function of teeth and oral tissues throughout childhood, emphasizing how biological changes influence dental treatment approaches.
- Preventive Medicine: Focuses on strategies to reduce the incidence of dental disease through early intervention, fluoride application, sealants, and patient education.
- Diet Therapy and Counseling: Addresses the impact of nutrition on oral health, offering guidance on dietary habits that support strong teeth and prevent decay.
- Patient Management: Develops skills in behavior guidance, communication, and psychological support to create a positive dental experience for children and special needs patients.
- Pediatric Restorative Procedures: Covers advanced techniques for repairing tooth decay in primary and developing permanent teeth using materials and methods suited to young patients.
- Pulp Therapy: Involves the diagnosis and treatment of dental pulp conditions in children, including vital pulp preservation and pulpectomy procedures.
- Trauma Management: Trains professionals to assess, stabilize, and treat dental injuries resulting from accidents, including avulsed teeth and fractured jaws.
- Anesthesia and Sedation: Provides instruction in safe administration of local anesthesia and sedation techniques tailored to pediatric and special needs populations.
- Treatment Planning: Emphasizes the development of individualized, long-term care strategies that consider growth, development, and patient-specific factors.
- Care for Patients with Disabilities: Equips practitioners to deliver comprehensive dental services to adults and children with physical, cognitive, or emotional challenges, ensuring equitable access to care.
Pediatric Dentistry Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Pediatric Dentistry Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Pediatric Dentistry degrees, including Dentists, General 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 343,210 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dentists, General 29-1021 | $172,790 | $83,860 - $239,200 | 113,490 | $83.07 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1071 | $105,620 | $51,760 - $239,200 | 229,720 | N/A |
Pediatric Dentistry Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $81,920 in Missouri to $175,660 in Arkansas—a 114% difference. The highest-paying states include Arkansas, Vermont, and Washington. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 343,210 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 Pediatric Dentistry by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 23 institutions offering Pediatric Dentistry 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 Pediatric Dentistry is found at The University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHealth), Houston (16 graduates), Boston University (BU) (13 graduates), Texas A & M University, College Station (11 graduates), University of Southern California (USC) (10 graduates), and Tufts University (10 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 154 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHealth) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
16 | Houston, Texas | Public | uth.edu |
| Boston University (BU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
13 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Post-Master's
|
11 | College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Post-Master's
|
10 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| Tufts University |
Post-Master's
|
10 | Medford, Massachusetts | Private | tufts.edu |
| Loma Linda University (LLU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
8 | Loma Linda, California | Private | llu.edu |
| Nova Southeastern University (NSU) |
Post-Master's
|
8 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Private | nova.edu |
| Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) |
Post-Master's
|
8 | Cleveland, Ohio | Private | case.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Postbac Cert.
|
7 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
| Rutgers University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
7 | New Brunswick, New Jersey | Public | newbrunswick.rutgers.edu |
| The University of Texas Health Science Center |
Post-Master's
|
7 | San Antonio, Texas | Public | uthscsa.edu |
| Howard University (HU) |
Post-Master's
|
6 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | howard.edu |
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Master's
|
6 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
| University of Iowa |
Post-Master's
|
5 | Iowa City, Iowa | Public | uiowa.edu |
| Harvard University |
Post-Master's
|
5 | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | harvard.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Master's
|
5 | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| University of Louisville (UofL) |
Master's
|
4 | Louisville, Kentucky | Public | louisville.edu |
| University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) |
Post-Master's
|
4 | Omaha, Nebraska | Public | unmc.edu |
| University of Pennsylvania (Penn) |
Post-Master's
|
4 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | upenn.edu |
| University of Puerto Rico (UPR‑MSC) |
Post-Master's
|
4 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Public | rcm.upr.edu |
| Saint Louis University (SLU) |
Post-Master's
|
3 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | slu.edu |
| University of Rochester |
Post-Master's
|
2 | Rochester, New York | Private | rochester.edu |
| University of Nevada (UNLV) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Public | unlv.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Pediatric Dentistry programs
How much can I earn with a Pediatric Dentistry degree?
Salaries for Pediatric Dentistry graduates vary by role and location. Dentists, General earn a median of $172,790 annually, while Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $105,620. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Arkansas average $175,660 compared to $81,920 in Missouri. Approximately 343,210 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 Pediatric Dentistry programs?
Currently 23 accredited institutions offer Pediatric Dentistry degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include The University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHealth), Houston (16 graduates), Boston University (BU) (13 graduates), and Texas A & M University, College Station (11 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 Pediatric Dentistry growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 97 in 2010 to 154 in 2023-24. This represents a 59% 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 Pediatric Dentistry degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Dentists, General, Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, . Related occupations employ approximately 343,210 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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