Dentists, like all professionals in the medical field, are paid according to a number of factors, including their experience and the cost of living where they work. The average annual salary for dentists in the United States is $143,000 as of May 2017, with some dentists earning as much as $200,000 per year in some parts of the country.
The average salary for a dentist working in New York City is $185,000 per year; however, this number can vary wildly depending on what type of dental services you offer and where you live. For example, if you’re practicing in rural Montana (where there aren’t any other dentists), then your salary might be lower than someone who lives closer to a city with more opportunities for patients.
Annual Salary For Dentist
Dental professionals are healthcare experts who provide oral care for patients. The national average salary for all dentists is $236,768 per year, but this amount can vary depending on location, experience, education and specialty. A dental professional may specialize in a certain type of treatment or procedure. Common high-paying specialties in dentistry include:
Periodontist
Periodontists specialize in gum health and care. Their duties may include performing gum surgery, placing implants and treating gum sensitivity. On average, they make a salary of $203,121 per year.
Prosthodontist
A prosthodontist specializes in treating and replacing missing teeth. Their duties can include making molds of replacement teeth, adding bridges to teeth and evaluating a patient’s replacement fixtures over time to ensure they fit correctly. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), prosthodontists make a national average salary of $208,000 per year.
Endodontist
An endodontist is a dental professional who specializes in oral preventative care. They may perform root canals, treat decay and add tooth implants. They may also perform surgery after injuries or accidents to help save teeth. Endodontists make a national average salary of $236,768 per year.
Orthodontist
Orthodontists are dental professionals who specialize in oral alignment. They treat misaligned teeth and jaws with braces, headgear and retainers. An orthodontist makes a national average salary of $254,622 per year.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeon
An oral and maxillofacial surgeon performs surgery on teeth and the facial area around the mouth, including the jaws, neck and face. Their duties may include performing jaw realignment surgeries, removing impacted teeth, assessing a patient’s symptoms and creating treatment plans for patients. The national average salary for surgeons in the U.S., including oral surgeons, is $288,550 per year.
What is the highest-paid dental specialty?
The highest-paid dental specialty is oral and maxillofacial surgery. Surgeons, including oral and maxillofacial surgeons, make a national average salary of $288,550 per year. These professionals are highly trained in both dental care and medical surgery. Their salary can vary depending on their professional experience, education, location and area of focus.
Read more: What Is an Oral Surgeon?
Where can dental specialists make more?
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons’ salaries can depend upon their geographic location. According to the latest data from Indeed Salaries, surgeons, including oral surgeons, may make more than the national average in these states:
Arizona: $317,635 per year
Arkansas: $342,690 per year
Colorado: $305,342 per year
Iowa: $302,212 per year
Kansas: $369,155 per year
Montana: $376,723 per year
Nebraska: $300,499 per year
New Mexico: $393,847 per year
North Carolina: $319,240 per year
North Dakota: $407,099 per year
West Virginia: $375,442 per year
Wyoming: $401,026 per year
What are the job requirements for the highest-paid dental specialty?
The requirements for becoming an oral and maxillofacial surgeon may vary depending on your geographic location. You can check your state guidelines to ensure you meet all career specifications for your area. The most common requirements for oral surgeons include:
Education
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons must first complete a four-year bachelor’s degree program. There may choose from a variety of majors, but some choose to study pre-med, anatomy, chemistry or biology to help prepare them for their careers. After earning their bachelor’s degree, they can study for the Dental Admissions Test (DAT). They use these test scores to apply for dental school programs.
Dental school often takes four years to complete. In these programs, aspiring dentists learn about oral care and general dentistry. After completing dental school, these professionals may have a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDM) degree, depending on their area of study. They may work as a general dentist now or complete more training to begin their oral surgery career.
Training
After completing dental school, oral surgeons complete a residency program through a healthcare organization or medical school. In these programs, they train to become surgeons. These residency programs usually last four to six years. During the residency program, aspiring surgeons may study a branch of oral surgery. These additional specifications may take more time to complete. These branches can include:
Mouth and neck cancer
Cosmetic facial procedures
Cleft lip and palate surgery
At the end of the residency program, some students earn their medical degrees. This may be optional for some oral surgeons, depending on their focus and location. The additional degree may help aspiring oral surgeons qualify for advanced roles with higher salaries.
Licensure
After completing their dental and medical training requirements, oral surgeons may obtain licensing. Most states require dentists and surgeons to have a license before practicing. If you’re interested in this career path, consider checking the license requirements in your state. The guidelines can vary, but typically aspiring oral surgeons need to submit proof of education, training and complete a board exam when applying for their license.
Read more: How To Become an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
How long does it take to begin a career in the highest-paid dental specialty?
Entering the highest-paid dental specialty can take 12 to 14 years of education and training after high school. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons earn at least two degrees, sometimes three, before they begin their careers. This includes a four-year undergraduate program, four years of dental school and four to six years in a residency program. The residency program typically takes four years without a medical degree.
If a professional wants to earn a medical degree in addition to their bachelor’s and dental school degree, they may complete a six-year residency training program. Also, if they want to specialize in a certain type of oral surgery, such as cosmetic procedures, they may need to complete a six-year residency.
What skills do professionals need in the highest-paid dental specialty?
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons use a variety of technical and soft skills to perform their specialized tasks. They may need the following skills:
Problem-solving: Oral surgeons can use problem-solving skills to analyze and diagnose a patient’s conditions. They also use problem-solving when they think of productive solutions to improve patients’ oral health.
Attention to detail: When evaluating and treating patients, an oral surgeon can use attention to detail skills to observe and track health information. This can help them make accurate diagnoses and treatment plans.
Communication: Oral surgeons communicate with patients, dentists and healthcare professionals. They can use effective communication skills to explain procedures, listen to patients and recommend oral care.
Dexterity: Oral surgeons work with tools to treat patients’ oral health conditions. They need to maintain a steady hand and strong dexterity skills during surgical procedures.
Technical skills: Oral surgeons are dental and medical experts. They use a broad range of technical knowledge and skills to treat patients and perform surgeries.
Read more: Dentist Skills: Definition and Examples
What is the job outlook for the highest-paid dental specialty?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects oral and maxillofacial surgeon careers to grow by 2% from 2019 to 2029. This is about average compared to other occupations. As the population grows older, the BLS expects more people to need oral care treatments, including surgeries.
