Being a dentist is one of the best jobs in the United States — and the world. The dental profession offers a good work-life balance, opportunities for advancement, the ability to collaborate with others, and the chance to provide and promote oral health care to patients and the community. Is dental school right for you? Read on to learn more.
Insights from the ADA Health Policy Institute on the current and future supply of dentists and shifting demographics within the workforce.
According to the 2024 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment of dentists is projected to grow 4% from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 4,500 openings for dentists are projected each year over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as through retirement.
The 2025 U.S. News & World Report ranked dentists as the No. 19 Best Health Care Job. Careers are ranked according to their ability to offer an exclusive mix of factors. Dentists were also ranked:
- No. 13 in Best-Paying Jobs
- No. 33 in Best STEM Jobs
- No. 58 in 100 Best Jobs
- The University at Buffalo’s ASDA Pre-Dental Committee is committed to assisting prospective dental students with obtaining a realistic preview of dental school and navigating the application process.
- The Pre-Dental Committee is comprised of current School of Dental Medicine volunteers, who coordinate Open House Events, Instagram Office Hours, and personal mentorship.
- Any one undergraduate and graduate students are welcome to participate. You do not need to be a University at Buffalo undergraduate student to join the University at Buffalo ASDA chapter. Unfortunately, high school students are ineligible to join.
- Contour is the only news source dedicated to sharing the dental-student narrative and addressing their holistic needs as they prepare to enter the workforce as dental professionals.
- ADEA provides a variety of blogs covering a number of different topics relating to dentistry and dental school.
- Picking the right dental school is an important decision.
- Prospective students should consider many factors when deciding where to apply including curriculum, cost, clinic, and student life. The ADEA website lists every US and Canadian Dental School.
- Your college or university might have a pre-health advisement office that provides valuable assistance as you work towards your career goal of enrolling in a health professional school.
- You can also visit the University at Buffalo Office of Pre-Health Advisement for additional resources.