Periodontics: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Periodontics is a specialized field within dentistry dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases affecting the supporting structures of the teeth, including the gums, periodontal ligament, cementum, and alveolar bone. This advanced program equips students with the clinical and scientific expertise necessary to manage complex periodontal conditions and promote long-term oral health.
- Periodontium Pathology: In-depth study of the biological mechanisms underlying gum and bone diseases, including inflammatory responses, tissue breakdown, and disease progression.
- Diagnostic Procedures and Equipment: Training in the use of clinical and radiographic tools to assess periodontal health, detect early signs of disease, and monitor treatment outcomes.
- Occulsion (Occlusal Analysis): Examination of tooth alignment and bite relationships to understand their impact on periodontal stability and treatment planning.
- Nutritional Aspects of Periodontology: Exploration of how systemic nutrition influences gum health, healing processes, and the body’s response to periodontal therapy.
- Surgical Treatments: Comprehensive instruction in advanced surgical techniques such as flap surgery, bone grafting, soft tissue grafts, and regenerative procedures.
- Patient Care and Management: Development of skills in comprehensive patient assessment, treatment coordination, pain management, and long-term maintenance strategies.
Periodontics Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Periodontics Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Periodontics 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 |
Periodontics 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 Periodontics by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 28 institutions offering Periodontics 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 Periodontics is found at Boston University (BU) (15 graduates), University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) (10 graduates), The University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHealth), Houston (8 graduates), Tufts University (7 graduates), and University of Pennsylvania (Penn) (7 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 126 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston University (BU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
15 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
| University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
10 | Detroit, Michigan | Private | udmercy.edu |
| The University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHealth) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
8 | Houston, Texas | Public | uth.edu |
| Tufts University |
Post-Master's
|
7 | Medford, Massachusetts | Private | tufts.edu |
| University of Pennsylvania (Penn) |
Post-Master's
|
7 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | upenn.edu |
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Master's
|
6 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
| Columbia University in the City of New York |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
6 | New York, New York | Private | columbia.edu |
| Loma Linda University (LLU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
5 | Loma Linda, California | Private | llu.edu |
| Nova Southeastern University (NSU) |
Post-Master's
|
5 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Private | nova.edu |
| Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
5 | Portland, Oregon | Public | ohsu.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Post-Master's
|
4 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| Rutgers University |
Post-Master's
|
4 | New Brunswick, New Jersey | Public | newbrunswick.rutgers.edu |
| Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
4 | Cleveland, Ohio | Private | case.edu |
| Temple University |
Post-Master's
|
4 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Public | temple.edu |
| The University of Texas Health Science Center |
Post-Master's
|
4 | San Antonio, Texas | Public | uthscsa.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Post-Master's
|
4 | College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
| University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) |
Post-Master's
|
3 | Chicago, Illinois | Public | uic.edu |
| University of Louisville (UofL) |
Master's
|
3 | Louisville, Kentucky | Public | louisville.edu |
| Saint Louis University (SLU) |
Post-Master's
|
3 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | slu.edu |
| University at Buffalo (UB) |
Post-Master's
|
3 | Buffalo, New York | Public | buffalo.edu |
| Stony Brook University (SBU) |
Post-Master's
|
3 | Stony Brook, New York | Public | stonybrook.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
| University of Missouri (UMKC) |
Post-Master's
|
2 | Kansas City, Missouri | Public | umkc.edu |
| University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) |
Post-Master's
|
2 | Omaha, Nebraska | Public | unmc.edu |
| University of Rochester |
Post-Master's
|
2 | Rochester, New York | Private | rochester.edu |
| University of Oklahoma (OUHSC) |
Master's
|
2 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | Public | ouhsc.edu |
| Marquette University |
Master's
|
2 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Private | marquette.edu |
| University of Iowa |
Post-Master's
|
1 | Iowa City, Iowa | Public | uiowa.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Periodontics programs
How much can I earn with a Periodontics degree?
Salaries for Periodontics 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 Periodontics programs?
Currently 28 accredited institutions offer Periodontics degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Boston University (BU) (15 graduates), University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) (10 graduates), and The University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHealth), Houston (8 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 Periodontics growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 103 in 2010 to 126 in 2023-24. This represents a 22% 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 Periodontics 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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