- Dentist pay and jobs at a glance
- The route into dentistry, step by step
- The part most applicants miss: your major barely matters
- Specialist training and how long it adds
- Where dentists work
- How long the whole journey takes
- Running a practice is part of the job
- Skills that matter
- My verdict
- Frequently asked questions
To become a dentist in the US, you earn a bachelor's degree with science courses, complete a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree from an accredited dental program, and pass written and clinical exams to get a state licence. All states require dentists to be licensed, and requirements vary by state.
Specialists such as orthodontists add a residency on top. General dentists don't need more training after dental school, which is the part people often don't realise.
Everything below comes from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook page for dentists, read on 26 October 2026. This is a careers guide about training, licensing and pay, not dental or health advice.
Dentist pay and jobs at a glance
| Measure | BLS figure |
|---|---|
| Median pay (May 2025) | $176,110 a year, $84.67 an hour |
| Lowest 10 in every 100 earned less than | $89,100 |
| Highest 10 in every 100 earned more than | $337,210 |
| Jobs in 2025 | 161,400 |
| Projected growth 2025 to 2035 | 6%, faster than average |
| Openings each year | About 4,800 on average |
Those pay figures are as of October 2026, taken from the May 2025 wage survey that BLS publishes.
The route into dentistry, step by step
- Take biology, chemistry and math in high school if you can. BLS says students interested in dentistry can start that early.
- Earn a bachelor's degree. Most dental programs require one, along with certain science courses such as biology or chemistry.
- Take the dental school entrance exam. Schools use it alongside your grade point average, interviews and recommendations.
- Complete a DDS or DMD at an accredited dental program. Coursework covers subjects such as local anesthesia, anatomy, periodontics and radiology, plus supervised clinical work with patients.
- Pass the written exam and a state or regional clinical exam, then apply for your licence in the state where you'll work.
- If you want a specialty, complete a residency and get a licence in that specialty.
The part most applicants miss: your major barely matters
BLS says no specific undergraduate major is required for dental school, although programs may prefer a science degree such as biology. What they do want is the prerequisite science courses. So an English or business major who takes the right science classes is still a valid applicant.
That matters if you decide on dentistry halfway through college. You probably don't need to switch majors. You need to fit the required courses in, sit the entrance exam and build a strong application.
Specialist training and how long it adds
All dental specialties need extra training before you practise them. BLS says that's usually a 2 to 4 year residency in an accredited program, often ending in a postdoctoral certificate or a master's degree. Oral and maxillofacial surgery programs typically take 4 to 6 years and may come with a joint Medical Doctor (M.D.) degree.
| Role | Median pay, May 2025 |
|---|---|
| Oral and maxillofacial surgeons | $352,220 |
| Prosthodontists | $311,180 |
| Orthodontists | $289,140 |
| Dentists, general | $170,950 |
Specialists earn far more at the median, but they also train for years longer. General dentists are by far the biggest group, with about 141,900 of the 161,400 jobs.
Where dentists work
Offices of dentists employ 78% of dentists, and 12 in every 100 are self-employed. BLS notes that some dentists run their own business alone or with a small staff, some have partners, and others work as associates in established practices.
| Industry | Median pay, May 2025 |
|---|---|
| Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals | $219,750 |
| Outpatient care centers | $195,330 |
| Offices of dentists | $173,760 |
| Offices of physicians | $172,980 |
So government roles paid $219,750 at the median against $173,760 in dental offices, as of October 2026. Hours vary too: BLS says many dentists work less than 40 hours a week, though some work far more, and some work evenings and weekends.
How long the whole journey takes
Add it up before you commit. A bachelor's degree is usually four years, and a dental degree follows it. If you want a specialty, a residency of 2 to 4 years comes after that, and oral and maxillofacial surgery can take 4 to 6 years on its own. So a general dentist and an oral surgeon who start college on the same day can finish training years apart.
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Licensing is the last gate. Because requirements vary by state, check the board in the state where you want to work before you choose a dental school, and keep that state in mind if you plan to move later.
Running a practice is part of the job
If you end up owning a practice, you're also running a small business. BLS lists leadership and organisational skills among the qualities that matter, because practice owners manage staff and keep records. Our guide to dental practice management software covers the systems that handle scheduling and records, and these AI prompts for dental practices help with the writing side, from patient reminders to job adverts.
Skills that matter
- Dexterity, because you work with tools in small spaces.
- Attention to detail, such as matching the shape and colour of teeth.
- Communication with patients, hygienists, assistants and receptionists.
- Patience, especially with children and nervous patients.
- Problem solving when choosing the right treatment.
My verdict
Dentistry is a long road, roughly a bachelor's degree plus a four-year dental degree and two sets of exams, but it pays very well and BLS expects steady demand. Don't let your current major put you off: the science prerequisites matter more than the degree title. And decide early whether you want to be a general dentist or a specialist, because that choice can add anywhere from 2 to 6 years.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to become a dentist?
Usually a bachelor's degree followed by a dental degree, a DDS or DMD. Specialists add a residency of 2 to 4 years, and oral and maxillofacial surgery programs take 4 to 6 years.
Do you need a specific major to go to dental school?
No. BLS says no specific undergraduate major is required, but you need certain science courses, and programs may prefer a science degree.
What is the difference between a DDS and a DMD?
Both are dental degrees from accredited programs that qualify you to seek a licence. BLS treats them as equivalent routes into the occupation.
How much do dentists make?
BLS reports a median of $176,110 a year in May 2025, as of October 2026. General dentists had a median of $170,950.
Do dentists need a licence in every state?
Yes. All states require dentists to be licensed. Most require a DDS or DMD, a written exam and a state or regional clinical exam.
Do general dentists need a residency?
No. BLS says general dentists don't need additional training after dental school. Specialists do.
