Did You Know?
Ancient Egyptians practiced dentistry as early as 3,000 BCE, using small flint drills to treat tooth pain.
The Numbers Behind the Career
There were about 155,900 dentist jobs in the U.S. in 2024.
About 5,500 dentist job openings are projected annually over the next decade.
The 2024 median salary for dentists is $175,080.
Where This Career Is Headed
Dentistry is being transformed by digital technology, materials science, and a deeper understanding of the connection between oral health and whole-body health. Dentists today can use intraoral cameras, 3D imaging, and computer-aided design software to diagnose and fabricate restorations with a precision that was unimaginable a generation ago. Research continues to strengthen the link between gum disease and conditions like heart disease and diabetes, expanding the dentist's role in a patient's overall medical picture. As the population grows and ages, the demand for dental care is rising steadily, and the tools available to meet that demand are becoming increasingly sophisticated.
Advances in biomaterials science will allow dentists to use tooth-regenerating compounds and lab-grown enamel to restore teeth in ways that go far beyond today's fillings and crowns.
Robotic-assisted dental procedures will enable dentists to perform complex restorations with even greater precision, reducing patient discomfort and procedure times.
Expanding understanding of the oral-systemic health connection will position dentists as key partners in preventing and detecting conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and nutritional deficiencies earlier than ever before.
Education & Certification
Becoming a dentist requires a significant but well-defined educational journey. Most dentists complete a four-year undergraduate degree with coursework in biology, chemistry, and physics, followed by four years at an accredited dental school, where they earn either a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree. Both degrees are equivalent and lead to the same career. Dental school combines classroom science, laboratory work, and hands-on clinical training treating real patients under supervision. After graduation, dentists must pass national and state licensing exams before they can practice. Those who want to specialize in areas such as orthodontics, oral surgery, pediatric dentistry, or endodontics complete additional residency training that typically lasts 2 to 4 years beyond dental school.
To Prepare...
Focus on biology, chemistry, and anatomy, as these subjects form the scientific backbone of everything dentists study in dental school and apply every day in practice.
Develop your manual dexterity through activities like drawing, sculpting, building models, or playing a musical instrument, because the precision required in dentistry is a skill that can be practiced and developed long before dental school.
Shadow a local dentist or dental hygienist to see the daily reality of the work firsthand, including the patient interactions, the tools, and the variety of situations that come through the door.
Spotlight: Explore the Life of a Dentist
Explore more resources for a future Dentist
The Tooth Book: For Children to Enjoy Learning about Teeth, Cavities, and Other Dental Health Facts (The Bewildering Body)
Bacera, Mark | Bacera, Mami | Bacera, Mae
Why We Picked It
Career Connection
Dentists educate every patient, especially the youngest ones, about oral health and what to expect in the chair, and this book models that same approachable communication, making facts about teeth and dental care genuinely fun to receive.
Dentistry for Kids: A Fun Picture Book About Teeth for Children (Gift for Kids, Teachers, and Medical Students) (Medical School for Kids)
Nguyen MD, Betty | Pham MD, Brandon | Dorfman DDS, Bill
Why We Picked It
Career Connection
Dentists examine oral structures every day, diagnosing conditions that begin with the anatomy this book introduces, making it an ideal first look at the building blocks of dental knowledge.
Science4you Dentist Kit for Kids - Dentist Toys for Kids + Doctors Kit with 10 Activities, Doctor Set with Dentist Games for Children, STEM Toys and Gifts for 5+ Year Old Boys and Girls
Why We Picked It
Career Connection
Dentists spend part of every appointment educating patients about the habits that protect their oral health, and this kit gives young children a first playful introduction to the hygiene practices and dental concepts dentists reinforce throughout a lifetime of care.