The most lucrative dental specialty is oral and maxillofacial surgery. These professionals are highly trained in both dental care and medical surgery. General dentistry can provide a decent income, but you can earn 50% more if you specialize. Specialization requires more years of training; four years for a college degree, three years for a dental degree (DMD or DDS) and at least two to four years of specialized training.
The oral and maxillofacial surgeon specialty program takes an additional four to six years on top of a bachelor's degree in dentistry. To increase their chances of getting the highest-paid jobs for dentists, some opt to work in private practice. This career is ideal for those who have a passion for helping children and are looking for well-paying jobs working with kids. The pediatric dentist specialty program lasts two to three extra years after the dental degree course. After earning a dental degree, you will need two to three additional years to complete the specialty program in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics.
Qualified dental school graduates must complete a two-year program to obtain a certificate in dental public health. However, dentists who take specialty dental courses, such as oral and maxillofacial surgery, endodontics, pediatric dentistry, orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics, prosthodontists, and periodontics, earn more than general practitioners. Dentistry is one of the fields of medicine that can provide a decent salary. If you want to increase your income, consider pursuing specialized programs beyond dental school.
Most of them pay well, and the dental specialty that pays the most is oral and maxillofacial surgery. However, salary is not the only motivation, and you should also consider your interests before deciding on the best specialization. Keep in mind that most programs will require an additional two to three years after completing a degree. Prosthodontics is the highest-paid dental specialty on our list. These health professionals specialize in reconstructive dental work, such as bridges or dentures.
Prosthodontists can also help with problems such as dental implants and crowns.
