Taking care of teeth is serious business. Did you know that your teeth are alive?! Every tooth in your mouth has pulp at its core, a soft center with nerves and blood vessels, making proper care vital. Ensuring this level of care requires teamwork from a dedicated group of dental professionals.
Careers in Dentistry
The dental field offers a variety of career paths, each with its own requirements and salary potential. Whether a student is interested in working directly with patients or focusing on specialized care, there are options for everyone. Here’s a look at the different roles in the dental field and what it takes to pursue them.
Dental Assistant
Dental assistants support dentists during various procedures. Key elements of their work include preparing patients for procedures, taking X-rays, and helping with fillings and extractions. In 2024, dental assistants in Massachusetts earned a median salary of $57,960 per the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Dental assistant jobs in Massachusetts typically require a license. The main requirement for licensure is completion of a dental assistant certificate program. Several community colleges offer dental assistant programs. These programs typically require students to demonstrate readiness for college-level work through placement exams or completion of college-prep English and math courses. Program seats are limited and students are encouraged to apply early to secure a place.
Dental Hygienist
Dental hygienist is one of the highest-paying careers available with a 2-year degree. In Massachusetts, dental hygienists earned a median salary of $100,790 in 2024 per the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Dental hygienists play a critical role in examining patients for signs of oral diseases, educating them on maintaining good oral hygiene, and cleaning their teeth. To become a licensed dental hygienist, students can pursue either an associate or a bachelor’s degree. Several Massachusetts community colleges offer associate degree programs. Admission to these dental hygienist programs is highly competitive, with limited seats. Before applying, most programs require students to complete several prerequisite college courses (e.g., anatomy and physiology). The one exception is Quinsigamond Community College, which allows high school students with strong science grades and passing scores on the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) admissions exam to apply. Two private colleges in Massachusetts, Regis College and Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS), offer four-year programs in dental hygiene. Students can apply for admission directly from high school. After graduating, students must pass national and state licensing exams to practice.
Dentist
For students interested in becoming a dentist, the journey is longer. First, they’ll need to earn a bachelor’s degree, taking required courses in subjects like biology, chemistry, and physics. After that, they’ll apply to dental school, working towards a Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) degree. Admission to dental school is highly competitive. Dental school typically lasts four years, though some programs offer accelerated three-year options. Upon graduation, students must pass a series of exams to earn a license to practice. In 2024, dentists in Massachusetts earned a median salary of $235,410 per the Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Advancing a Career
Some dental assistants may choose to advance their careers by becoming dental hygienists, offering more responsibilities and a higher salary. However, a dental assistant certificate cannot be directly applied to becoming a dental hygienist, as the educational requirements for each role are different. Students will need to gain admission to a dental hygienist program to advance.
For those who complete dental school and practice as general dentists, many pathways to specialization exist. Specializations like oral surgery, orthodontics, and pediatric dentistry require additional years of education and training.
Orquidia is the Assistant Director of NextGen Talent. She joined the NGT team from student affairs in higher education, supporting students through their ongoing development in the college setting. As a first-generation Dominican American, Orquidia is passionate about bridging the educational gap for low-income, first-generation collegegoers and students of color. Orquidia has a Master’s in College Student Personnel from the University of Rhode Island and a BA in Modern Languages from the University of Massachusetts Lowell.
