Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences offers advanced academic and clinical training for professionals seeking to deepen expertise in specialized areas of dental practice and oral health research. This program is designed for individuals aiming to advance their knowledge in complex dental disciplines, contribute to scientific innovation, and enhance patient care through evidence-based practice.
- Advanced Restorative Dentistry: Focuses on sophisticated techniques for restoring damaged or missing teeth, including complex crown and bridge work, implant-supported restorations, and digital dentistry applications.
- Oral Pathology and Diagnosis: Involves the study of diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial regions, with emphasis on histopathological analysis, differential diagnosis, and early detection of oral cancers.
- Periodontal Science and Therapy: Explores the biology of periodontal tissues, advanced treatment modalities for periodontal disease, and regenerative approaches to tissue repair.
- Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology: Centers on the interpretation of advanced imaging techniques such as CBCT, MRI, and CT scans to support accurate diagnosis and surgical planning.
- Prosthodontics and Implant Dentistry: Addresses the design, fabrication, and clinical integration of prosthetic devices, including implant-supported dentures and complex fixed prostheses.
- Oral Medicine and Patient Management: Covers the diagnosis and management of systemic diseases with oral manifestations, as well as comprehensive care for medically complex patients.
- Research Methods in Oral Sciences: Provides training in clinical and translational research, biostatistics, study design, and ethical considerations in dental and oral health research.
Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Graduate Dentistry and Oral 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 |
Graduate Dentistry and Oral 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 Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 10 institutions offering Graduate Dentistry and Oral 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 Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences is found at University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) (32 graduates), University of Alabama (UAB), Birmingham (27 graduates), Tufts University (26 graduates), Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC-NO), New Orleans (17 graduates), and University of Southern California (USC) (11 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 150 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
32 | Chicago, Illinois | Public | uic.edu |
| University of Alabama (UAB) |
Post-Master's
|
27 | Birmingham, Alabama | Public | uab.edu |
| Tufts University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
26 | Medford, Massachusetts | Private | tufts.edu |
| Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC-NO) |
Master's
|
17 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Public | lsuhsc.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
11 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| University of Pennsylvania (Penn) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
11 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | upenn.edu |
| University of Iowa |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
9 | Iowa City, Iowa | Public | uiowa.edu |
| Boston University (BU) |
Post-Master's
|
7 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Master's
|
5 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
| University of Rochester |
Post-Master's
|
5 | Rochester, New York | Private | rochester.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences programs
How much can I earn with a Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences degree?
Salaries for Graduate Dentistry and Oral 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 Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences programs?
Currently 10 accredited institutions offer Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) (32 graduates), University of Alabama (UAB), Birmingham (27 graduates), and Tufts University (26 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 Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 122 in 2010 to 150 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 Graduate Dentistry and Oral 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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