Dentists are responsible for a wide array of tasks, including analyzing x-rays and examining patients for tooth decay or disease. They may also make models for teeth appliances, teach patients about proper oral care, and perform more complicated procedures such as root canals.

High Paying Dentist Jobs

1. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon

Dentists and maxillofacial surgeons are specialists who diagnose and treat patients with complex dental, jaw, and facial issues. They use a variety of techniques to correct cleft palettes, reconstruct misaligned jaws, and install dental implants.

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons may treat a wide range of medical issues, including obstructive sleep apnea and oral cancer. Patients are usually referred to these specialists by their primary dentist or physician.

2. Endodontist

Endodontists are dentists who specialize in diagnosing and treating tooth pain caused by a problem inside the pulp of the tooth. They perform root canals and other procedures to save teeth, rather than removing and replacing them.

3. Orthodontist

Orthodontists are dentists who specialize in dental care for the alignment of teeth and jaws. They diagnose, prevent, and treat overbites, underbites, gaps or overcrowded teeth with wires, braces, retainers and other corrective appliances to ensure the health of the teeth and mouth muscles of their patients. The objective is to improve bite function so that patients can eat better foods and speak more easily.

4. Prosthodontist

Prosthodontists are dentists who specialize in restoring teeth and dental implants, crowns, bridges, and other oral devices. They perform oral examinations to diagnose tooth and mouth diseases and then perform procedures to provide patients with the best possible dental care.

To keep accurate dental records, it is important to have good people skills and be able to explain dental procedures to patients.

5. Maxillofacial Prosthodontist

Salaries for Maxillofacial Prosthodontists range widely in the United States, from $50,000 to $327,500 annually. This wide range of pay potential suggests that there are many opportunities for advancement and increased pay based on skill level and years of experience.

Based on recent job posting activity, the Maxillofacial Prosthodontist job market in the United States is not very active. You can explore related titles to find more active opportunities.

6. Periodontist

A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the treatment of gum disease, gingivitis, and other oral problems. Periodontists are also experts in the diagnosis and treatment of dental inflammation and dental implants. As a periodontist, you typically handle more serious dental issues than other dentists and are an expert at helping patients with complex dental histories. Your responsibilities include diagnosing and treating severe gum problems as well as performing surgery on teeth that have been affected by tooth decay or gum disease. You also perform many consultations with patients about implant treatments

7. Pediatric Dentist

Salary range: $193,000-$300,000 per year

Pediatric dentists provide comprehensive oral care for infants, children, adolescents, and patients with special needs. They also focus on teaching their patients and patients’ families about the importance of good oral health and the prevention of tooth decay.

8. Dentist Private Practice

Dentists who work in a private practice provide oral health services to patients. They typically assess patients’ oral health needs and provide them with treatment for any problems they may have. Additionally, dentists may give routine cleanings and checkups to their patients, as well as offer advice on ways to keep their teeth healthy.

As a dentist with a private practice, you are responsible for overseeing the running of your practice and ensuring compliance with all applicable laws.

9. Dentist General

Salaries for Dentist Generals vary widely across the United States, with a median salary of $208,500. This moderate range suggests that pay in this role will be consistent, regardless of skill level or location. With many companies actively hiring in the Dentist General field, there is potential for advancement over time.

10. Senior Dentist

The median salary for a Senior Dentist is $94,000 according to recent job postings on ZipRecruiter. This range of salaries suggests that pay in this role will be consistent across different skill levels and locations, though with some advancement possible.

11. Dental Laboratory Manager

The dental laboratory manager is responsible for the production of dental implants or removables. This may involve a crown, bridge, dentures, or other ceramics. Additionally, the manager oversees the development of prosthetics and trains employees in their proper use. Finally, they are responsible for communicating with the dentist and ensuring quality control across all aspects of implant production.

A dental laboratory manager is responsible for ensuring the lab meets all regulations and that orders are completed as scheduled. Often, a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and technical experience are required, along with licensure.

12. Dental Hygienist

Salary range: $69,000-$91,000 per year

Dental hygienists are licensed dental professionals who work in close partnership with dentists to provide oral healthcare and education to patients about oral hygiene. They perform basic maintenance cleanings, administer fluoride and polish teeth, and teach patients how to take care of their teeth properly.

13. Extractions Technologist

The median salary for Extractions Technologists is $42,500 annually. This means that 50% of people in this profession earn more than this amount and 50% earn less.

The Extractions Technologist job market in the United States is very active, with many companies hiring.

14. Dental Office Manager

As a dental office manager, you manage the front office for a dental practice. You are responsible for overseeing all administrative tasks that are needed to run a medical practice. You ensure that phones are answered promptly, and appointments are scheduled accurately.

You are responsible for updating patient records, filing test results, providing records to patients, and filing billing and insurance claims. In addition to completing general office duties, like making copies, organizing files, returning phone calls and emails, and maintaining the stock of office supplies., you may also be called upon to provide support during medical procedures.

15. Dental Resident

Salary potential for Dental Residents varies greatly in the United States, with 25th percentile salaries ranging from $31,000 to $54,500 and 75th percentile salaries ranging from $53,750 to $82,500. This large range of salary potential suggests that many opportunities for increased pay and advancement may exist depending on skill level and years of experience. ZipRecruiter has recently posted many job openings in the Dental Resident field which indicates an active market.

16. Dental Laboratory Technician

A dental technician helps design, plan, and create dental prostheses for individual patients. The dentist is responsible for providing the corrective device and the proper treatment for the patient’s oral health.

17. Denture Technician

A denture technician works in a laboratory setting to create and repair dental prosthetics. They may specialize in the fabrication or repair of dentures.

As a dental technician, you use plastics, metals, ceramics, and composites to create dentures. You also create partial dentures that attach to existing teeth with metal clasps or glue. You use welding tools, casting techniques, and sanding equipment to create the finished product. Your job includes using CAD software to design the perfect denture for each patient.

18. Oral Surgery Assistant

As an oral surgery assistant, your primary duties are to help the dentist prepare for surgery and to assist with surgeries. You can perform a variety of tasks, such as sterilizing instruments and laying them out in an organized fashion, having X-rays and charts on hand for the dental surgeon or periodontist, and assisting the patient with topical anesthesia.

During oral surgery, you are monitored by anesthesia, help with suction, and keep the patient’s mouth clear. You also take notes and document the procedure for the dentist.

19. Dental Billing Specialist

Salaries for Dental Billing Specialist range from $35,500 to $45,500 annually.

Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the dental billing specialist job market in the United States is moderately active. This suggests that pay in this role will be consistent, regardless of skill level, location and years of experience. Some advancement is possible in this field.

20. Endodontic Assistant

An endodontist assistant assists the endodontist in performing dental procedures, such as a root canal. These assistants may help with scheduling appointments, performing X-rays, and assisting before, during and after the procedure.

21. Orthodontic Assistant

Orthodontists are dentists who specialize in correcting teeth or jaws that are out of alignment. Orthodontic Assistants help prepare patients for their treatment and may perform simple procedures under the direction of the orthodontist. Procedures include taking x-rays and impressions of the patient’s mouth, installing wires to braces, and tightening brackets. Orthodontic Assistants work independently from orthodontists, performing their tasks before and after an examination by the dentist.

22. Dental Assistant

Dental assistants provide support to dentists during dental exams and procedures, handling basic office and equipment cleaning and administrative tasks. Their specific duties may include preparing and sterilizing equipment, processing x-rays, filing paperwork, scheduling appointments, or assisting the dentist with examinations.

23. Teeth Whitening Technician

Salary range: $27,000-$41,500 per year

Salaries for teeth whitening technicians vary widely, but the median salary is around $27,000 per year.

Based on ZipRecruiter data, it seems that the teeth whitening technician job market in the United States is not very active right now.

24. Dental Office Assistant

As a dental assistant, your primary responsibilities include answering phones, scheduling appointments, performing tests and measurements before the patient sees the dentist, gathering health history and executing infection prevention protocols.

25. Dental Receptionist

How much do they get paid?

• • Source: Glassdoor
  • Low Range: $19,000 per year
  • High Range: $165,000 per year
  • Median Pay: $50,652 per year

Dental receptionists are responsible for greeting patients, answering phone calls, and scheduling appointments.

Dentists may also be responsible for billing and insurance claims, providing other administrative support to the dentists and staff, and maintaining records.

Dental receptionists must have excellent customer service skills in order to be successful. They need to be able to handle a variety of tasks at once, and must be able to multitask.

The successful doctor must be able to stay calm under pressure and have a good sense of humor – after all, dealing with cranky patients and angry insurance companies can be pretty stressful.

26. Dental Biller

How much do they get paid?

• Source: Glassdoor
• Low Range: $35,000 per year
• High Range: $88,000 per year
• Median Pay: $55,040 per year

Dental billers are responsible for a variety of tasks in the dental office, including processing insurance claims and billing patients for services rendered. They may also be responsible for maintaining patient records and filing insurance forms.

Dental billers must be able to keep track of a constantly changing billing system, as well as be accurate and efficient in resolving any errors or discrepancies.

Dentists who work as billers must be excellent communicators in order to work with patients and insurance providers. They must be able to stay calm under pressure and handle difficult situations with tact and humor.

27. Dental Hygienists

How much do they get paid?

• Source: Salary.com
• Low Range: $58,296 per year
• High Range: $98,289 per year
• Median Pay: $77,891 per year

Dental hygienists are responsible for providing preventive dental care, including cleaning teeth and providing instruction on oral health. They also teach patients about oral hygiene and dental health.

28. Periodontist

How much do they get paid?

• Source: Payscale
• Low Range: $100,000 per year
• High Range: $252,000 per year
• Median Pay: $176,000 per year

A periodontist is a medical specialist who is skilled in treating diseases, injuries, or defects of the gums. They may perform oral health checkups, fix braces, and repair fractures in teeth and gums.

Dental experts often remove braces.