by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Geriatric Dentistry involves the study of A Program That Focuses On The Advanced Study Of The Therapeutic And Preventive Care Of The Oral Health Of Geriatric Patients. Includes Instruction In Aging, Preventive Medicine, Diet Therapy And Counseling, Geriatric Restorative Procedures, Pulp Therapy, Trauma Management, Anesthesia, Treatment Planning, And Patient Management. Continue reading for the key facts every geriatric dentistry student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering geriatric dentistry programs.
Programs in Geriatric Dentistry build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations geriatric dentistry graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a geriatric dentistry program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a geriatric dentistry major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
People currently working in careers related to geriatric dentistry tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 35.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 24.9% |
| Post-doctoral training | 19.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 12.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.9% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in geriatric dentistry careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in geriatric dentistry prepares you for a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to geriatric dentistry.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to geriatric dentistry.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
| Dentists, All Other Specialists | 222,405 | 12.8% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of geriatric dentistry graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $209,489 |
| 4 years | $191,956 |
| 5 years | $225,886 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for geriatric dentistry graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers geriatric dentistry grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Dentists, All Other Specialists | $100,743 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
Use our unbiased geriatric dentistry school rankings to find the best fit for you.
Students interested in geriatric dentistry, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
