Health Professions And Related ProgramsSpecialization of Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences

Best institutions to study Advanced General Dentistry

CIP 51.0502

A program that focuses on the advanced study of dental clinical techniques and dental practice issues.

19 U.S. institutions graduated 248 Advanced General Dentistry students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.0502, a specialization of Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (CIP 51.05), and leads most directly to the Dentists, General occupation (BLS SOC 29-1021).

Institutions
19
offering CIP 51.0502
States & territories
15
with graduates reported
Graduates / yr
248
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Women
54%
share of graduates
US median pay · Dentists, General
$170,950
BLS OEWS May 2025
Share of Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences
12%
of all Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences graduates

About Advanced General Dentistry programs

Official NCES definition · CIP 51.0502
A program that focuses on the advanced study of dental clinical techniques and dental practice issues. Includes instruction in subjects such as the history of dentistry, advanced dental practice management, dental ethics and jurisprudence, social and behavioral science studies of dentistry, advanced restorative dentistry, oral medicine, oral radiology, advanced clinical procedures and technology, and others.
Also offered asAdvanced General Dentistry (Cert.)Advanced General Dentistry (MS)Advanced General Dentistry (PhD)

Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).

The Advanced General Dentistry program, part of the Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences field, is designed for dental professionals seeking to enhance their clinical skills and knowledge. This program focuses on advanced dental techniques and practice management, preparing graduates to address complex dental issues effectively.

What you'll learn

Students in this program will gain expertise in various subjects, including advanced restorative dentistry, oral medicine, and dental ethics. Coursework emphasizes critical thinking, active listening, and the application of advanced clinical procedures and technology.

Credentials awarded

What Advanced General Dentistry graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).

  • Post-master's certificate171 graduates / yr · 14 institutions
    69%
  • Postbaccalaureate certificate42 graduates / yr · 3 institutions
    17%
  • Master's degree35 graduates / yr · 3 institutions
    14%

Graduates over time

Advanced General Dentistry completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.

248graduates in 2025
-2% since 2012
20122025253248
Graduates per year (IPEDS completions)
YearGraduates
2012253
2013139
2014103
2015126
2016145
2017166
2018197
2019158
2020189
2021208
2022189
2023224
2024238
2025248

Top 19 institutions for Advanced General Dentistry, ranked by graduates

Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.

#InstitutionGraduates / yrGrad rateNet price
1University of Rochester
Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's
3785%$25,874
2University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UTPublicPost-degree cert.
3565%—
3University of Maryland, Baltimore
Baltimore, MDPublicMaster's
21——
4Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's
2196%$15,315
5Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitMaster's
2080%$24,886
6Tufts University
Medford, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's
1594%$23,570
7The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
San Antonio, TXPublicMaster's
14——
8Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster's
1263%$31,672
9Jacksonville University
Jacksonville, FLPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Master's
1051%$25,813
10Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, SCPublicMaster's
10——
11University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences
San Juan, PRPublicMaster's
10——
12University of Detroit Mercy
Detroit, MIPrivate not-for-profitMaster's
967%$16,109
13Temple University
Philadelphia, PAPublicMaster's
875%—
14Harvard University
Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's
698%$15,013
15Texas A&M University - College Station
College Station, TXPublicMaster's
684%—
16Howard University
Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's
570%$48,194
17Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OHPrivate not-for-profitMaster's
487%$27,976
18Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, ILPublicMaster's
357%—
19University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MNPublicPost-degree cert.
285%—

Offered in 15 states & territories

Where Advanced General Dentistry graduates come from. Each state links to all Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences programs offered there.

Careers & outlook

The payoff after graduation: occupation 29-1021, Dentists, General, and its national outlook.

Graduates of the Advanced General Dentistry program can pursue careers as general dentists or health specialties teachers at the postsecondary level. The job outlook indicates a growth rate of 4.1%, with approximately 3,900 annual openings and a median wage of $172,790, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+4.1%
About as fast as average
Openings / yr (US)
~3,900
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$172,790
typically Doctoral or professional degree
National employment
124,390
Dentists, General
US average pay
$191,350
annual, BLS OEWS May 2025
US median pay
$170,950
annual

Top-paying metros

St. Louis, MO-IL
$261,250avg
Portland-South Portland, ME
$261,230avg
St. Cloud, MN
$249,890avg
Macon-Bibb County, GA
$244,000avg
Mankato, MN
$242,180avg

Career pathways for CIP 51.0502

The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.

OccupationUS median payGrowthOpenings / yrTypical entry education
Dentists, Generalprimary
SOC 29-1021
$170,950+4.1%
About as fast as average
~3,900Doctoral or professional degree
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary
SOC 25-1071
$107,310+17.3%
Much faster than average
~27,400Doctoral or professional degree
Preparation needed

Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed

Education
Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Training
Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

Related careers

Dentists, General
$191,350 avg · 124,390 jobs

Skills & knowledge in Advanced General Dentistry programs

From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.

Skills you'll build

Critical Thinking
Active Listening
Speaking
Reading Comprehension
Monitoring
Active Learning
Science
Writing

Knowledge areas

Medicine and Dentistry
Customer and Personal Service
English Language
Biology
Psychology
Education and Training

Abilities that matter most

Problem Sensitivity
Finger Dexterity
Deductive Reasoning
Inductive Reasoning
Arm-Hand Steadiness
Near Vision

Day-to-day work activities

Getting Information
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
Assisting and Caring for Others
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Documenting/Recording Information

What graduates do on the job

  • Use masks, gloves, and safety glasses to protect patients and self from infectious diseases.
  • Examine teeth, gums, and related tissues, using dental instruments, x-rays, or other diagnostic equipment, to evaluate dental health, diagnose diseases or abnormalities, and plan appropriate treatments.
  • Administer anesthetics to limit the amount of pain experienced by patients during procedures.
  • Use dental air turbines, hand instruments, dental appliances, or surgical implements.
  • Formulate plan of treatment for patient's teeth and mouth tissue.
  • Diagnose and treat diseases, injuries, or malformations of teeth, gums, or related oral structures and provide preventive or corrective services.

Tools and technology used

ABELSoft ABELDentACE DentalAlphaDentAltaPoint Data Systems AltaPoint DentalData Team DDSDental charting softwareDental clinical records softwareDental digital radiology software

Other Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences specializations

The 14 other 6-digit CIP codes under Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (CIP 51.05).

Common questions

What degrees can I earn in this program?+

You can earn a post-master's certificate, postbaccalaureate certificate, or a master's degree.

How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+

There are 19 colleges offering the Advanced General Dentistry program in the U.S.

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, and advanced dental techniques.

What is the job outlook for graduates?+

The job outlook for graduates is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 4.1%.

What is the CIP code for Advanced General Dentistry?+

Advanced General Dentistry is CIP 51.0502 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (CIP 51.05). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the advanced study of dental clinical techniques and dental practice issues. Includes instruction in subjects such as the history of dentistry, advanced dental practice management, dental ethics and jurisprudence, social and behavioral science studies of dentistry, advanced restorative dentistry, oral medicine, oral radiology, advanced clinical procedures and technology, and others.

How many institutions offer Advanced General Dentistry programs?+

19 U.S. institutions reported Advanced General Dentistry graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 15 states & territories, awarding 248 credentials in the year. That is 12.2% of all Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences graduates.

How much do Advanced General Dentistry graduates earn?+

Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Dentists, General occupation, which Advanced General Dentistry most directly leads to, pays a median of $170,950 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).

About the data on this page

Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.

Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.

Explore every U.S. college in one conversation

Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.

Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card