Health Professions and Related Programs
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions
Colleges award this field under 4 named programs, from Dental Assisting/Assistant to Dental Services and Allied Professions, Other.
Inside the major
Programs within this field
Colleges may offer this field under 4 more specific program names. The program you choose affects the courses you take.
- Dental Assisting/Assistant
- Prepares you to provide patient care, take dental radiographs (x-ray photographs), prepare patients and equipment for dental procedures, and discharge office administrative functions under the supervision of dentists and dental hygienists. Covers medical record-keeping, general office duties, reception and patient intake, scheduling, equipment maintenance and sterilization, basic radiography, pre- and post-operative patient care and instruction, chairside assisting, taking tooth and mouth impressions, and supervised practice.
- Dental Hygiene/Hygienist
- Prepares you to clean teeth and apply preventive materials, provide oral health education and treatment counseling to patients, identify oral pathologies and injuries, and manage dental hygiene practices. Covers dental anatomy, microbiology, and pathology; dental hygiene theory and techniques; cleaning equipment operation and maintenance; dental materials; radiology; patient education and counseling; office management; supervised clinical training; and professional standards.
- Dental Laboratory Technology/Technician
- Prepares individuals, under the supervision of dentists, to design and construct dental prostheses such as caps, crowns, bridges, dentures, splints, and orthodontic appliances. Covers dental anatomy, dental materials, ceramics technology, impressions, complete dentures, partial dentures, orthodontics, crowns and bridges, sculpture, bonding and assembly techniques, and equipment operation.
- Dental Services and Allied Professions, Other
- Dental services and allied professions not listed above.
Where it can lead
Careers this field can lead to
Explore related careers, starting with the closest connections and the occupations hiring the most people.
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary
- Median pay
- $107,310
- Hiring change through 2035
- 17.9%
- Job openings a year
- 24,900
To get hiredDoctoral or professional degree
Explore this career GrowingDental Assistants
- Median pay
- $48,070
- Hiring change through 2035
- 7.4%
- Job openings a year
- 53,000
To get hiredPostsecondary nondegree award
Explore this career GrowingDental Hygienists
- Median pay
- $98,100
- Hiring change through 2035
- 8.0%
- Job openings a year
- 15,000
To get hiredAssociate's degree
Explore this career ShrinkingDental Laboratory Technicians
- Median pay
- $49,610
- Hiring change through 2035
- −5.9%
- Job openings a year
- 3,600
To get hiredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Explore this careerAll work is projected to grow 3.5% between 2025 and 2035; read every hiring-change figure against it. The figures beside each career are the pay of that work, across everyone doing it. Graduates of this field earn $55,752 one year after completing the program, which is the start of a career rather than the shape of one.
Working style
How and where the work happens
Related careers can feel very different from one another. Compare the specific occupations to understand the work each one involves.
Most careers connected to this field involve in-person work. About 70 of every 100 openings require working close to other people or spending time on your feet.
College options
Where to study it
Ordered by how many degrees each college awards in this field. Sort by any numbered column.
| College | Degrees a year | Earnings, first year out | Admit rate | Average annual cost after aid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon Institute of Technology OR | 64 | $60,194 | 92% | $14,000 |
| MCPHS University MA | 62 | $64,159 | 85% | $38,000 |
| Minnesota State University-Mankato MN | 61 | $57,048 | 91% | $15,000 |
| Wichita State University KS | 56 | $50,397 | 95% | $14,000 |
| Texas Woman's University TX | 51 | $58,388 | 95% | $11,000 |
| Indiana University-Indianapolis IN | 47 | — | 81% | $11,000 |
| Old Dominion University VA | 47 | $59,578 | 91% | $13,000 |
| Eastern Washington University WA | 46 | $63,361 | 92% | $12,000 |
| University of New Mexico-Main Campus NM | 43 | $48,521 | 95% | $16,000 |
| Ohio State University-Main Campus OH | 43 | $55,752 | 51% | $10,000 |
| University of New England ME | 35 | $52,443 | 89% | $32,000 |
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor MI | 33 | $46,330 | 18% | $5,000 |
| Western Kentucky University KY | 32 | $45,701 | 97% | $10,000 |
| University of Missouri-Kansas City MO | 32 | $57,763 | 75% | $13,000 |
| University of South Dakota SD | 32 | $57,541 | 99% | $19,000 |
| Southern Illinois University-Carbondale IL | 31 | $51,974 | 90% | $10,000 |
| University of Bridgeport CT | 30 | $62,863 | 64% | — |
| University of Detroit Mercy MI | 30 | $42,032 | 80% | $14,000 |
| University of Louisville KY | 29 | $50,008 | 81% | $16,000 |
| University of Louisiana at Monroe LA | 29 | $60,967 | 75% | $13,000 |
| Texas A & M University-College Station TX | 29 | $60,473 | 63% | $17,000 |
| Augusta University GA | 28 | $50,339 | 89% | $14,000 |
| University of the Pacific CA | 27 | $75,743 | 95% | $19,000 |
| University of Minnesota-Twin Cities MN | 26 | $65,455 | 77% | $10,000 |
| University of New Haven CT | 23 | $54,944 | 81% | $32,000 |
| West Virginia University WV | 23 | $53,761 | 86% | $14,000 |
| Youngstown State University OH | 22 | $44,682 | 80% | $13,000 |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill NC | 21 | $53,510 | 19% | $9,000 |
| University of Mississippi MS | 20 | $45,905 | 98% | $15,000 |
| University of Wyoming WY | 20 | $62,957 | 97% | $10,000 |
| Midwestern State University TX | 18 | $54,217 | 87% | $11,000 |
| Ferris State University MI | 14 | $55,449 | 81% | $8,000 |
| Farmingdale State College NY | 14 | $66,616 | 69% | $12,000 |
| Virginia Commonwealth University VA | 13 | $62,142 | 93% | $21,000 |
| New York University NY | 11 | — | 9% | $17,000 |
| University of Alaska Anchorage AK | 10 | — | 67% | $17,000 |
| University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus PA | 9 | $47,693 | 50% | $23,000 |
| Rhode Island College RI | 2 | — | 81% | $9,000 |
| Georgia State University GA | 1 | — | 62% | $17,000 |
| University of Hawaii at Manoa HI | 1 | $66,487 | 70% | $14,000 |