by our College Data Analytics TeamWith the increasing public knowledge of important oral hygiene, Dental Support Services majors are becoming part of a fast growing occupation.
Students majoring in Dental Support Services learn how to diagnose and treat oral diseases and abnormalities while providing services that help prevent any oral issues. You will take classes in chemistry, biology, anatomy and physiology, genetics, psychology, and other dental related courses to gain the skills to properly conduct oral examines, cleanings, and aid in surgeries or other procedures. This degree prepares students for a career as a dental hygienist or to continue their education to become a dentist.
Along with the option to major in Dental Assisting, students have the option to specialize in Dental Hygiene, Dental Laboratory Technology, and Dental Services and Allied Professions.
In 2020-2021, dental support services was the 82nd most popular major nationwide with 26,399 degrees awarded. This is a difference of 4,869 over the prior year, a growth of 18.4%.
Our 2023 Best Dental Support Services Schools ranking analyzes 322 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for dental support services students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of dental support programs later in this article.
Dental Support Services professionals are responsible for checking the condition of teeth and gums to help prevent infections or other abnormalities; this means professionals should be detail oriented and conduct thorough examinations. You should be organized and ensure all medical records are in proper order and kept up to date. Students who are successful in this career also have strong interpersonal skills as they are working directly with patients and must keep them comfortable when performing procedures.
Students who pursue a degree in Dental Support Services should prepare for a full time job in a dental office. You will work with multiple patients during the day and conduct teeth and gum examinations to ensure your patients' oral health.
Students who wish to become dental hygienists or dental lab technicians must only obtain an associate's degree, although bachelor's and master's degrees are available. Those who want to pursue a career as a dentist must attend dentist school and obtain an advanced degree.
In order to practice any type of dental service, you must be licensed by the state. The requirements vary state by state, so it is important to check the laws in the state you will be practicing in.
dental support services degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Specific dental support careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
There are many different dental support degree levels. Dental Support Services programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest dental support degree you can get. Depending on the dental support services degree you choose, obtaining your diploma can take anwhere from 1 to 4+ years.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
An associate degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to dental support, with approximately 28.0% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for dental support workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 33.2% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 23.9% |
| High School Diploma | 12.5% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 10.9% |
| Master’s Degree | 6.0% |
About 60.2% of workers in careers related to dental support obtain at least associate degrees. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in dental support services have received.
This of course varies depending on which dental support career you choose.
Graduates with a degree in Dental Support Services pursue careers in a variety of dental related services. Some graduates go on to dental school to become dentists and work at or run their own practice, while other students become dental hygienists or lab technicians.
Want a job when you graduate with your dental support degree? Dental Support Services careers are expected to grow 21.1% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to dental support services.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Assistants | 396,600 | 19.5% |
| Health Specialties Professors | 294,000 | 25.9% |
| Dental Hygienists | 248,900 | 19.7% |
| Dental Laboratory Technicians | 43,600 | 14.4% |
Dental Support Services graduates between 2017-2019 reported earning an average of $35,507 in the 2019-2020 timeframe. Earnings can range from as low as $6,601 to as high as $92,408. As you might expect, salaries for dental support graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for dental support services graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers dental support grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Health Specialties Professors | $122,320 |
| Dental Hygienists | $75,500 |
| Dental Laboratory Technicians | $43,180 |
| Dental Assistants | $39,770 |
With over 1,287 different dental support degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased dental support school rankings to help you with this.
Dental Support Services is one of 30 different types of Health Professions programs to choose from.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Dental Assisting/Assistant | 17,223 |
| Dental Hygiene/Hygienist | 8,807 |
| Dental Laboratory Technology/Technician | 287 |
| Other Dental Services & Allied Professions | 82 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Nursing | 322,592 |
| Health & Medical Administrative Services | 89,359 |
| Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services | 84,492 |
| Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants | 84,274 |
| Allied Health Professions | 82,308 |
