Best institutions to study Dental Materials
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the biomaterials and inert and active compounds used in dental procedures; the development of dental materials; and their effects on the living tissues of the oral cavity and systemic bodily health.
1 U.S. institutions graduated 1 Dental Materials students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.0505, a specialization of Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (CIP 51.05), and leads most directly to the Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary occupation (BLS SOC 25-1071).
About Dental Materials programs
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the biomaterials and inert and active compounds used in dental procedures; the development of dental materials; and their effects on the living tissues of the oral cavity and systemic bodily health. Includes instruction in materials science, dental bioengineering, biocompatibility of materials, physics and mechanics of dental materials, elastic and plastic deformation, surface bonding, and applications to fixed and removable prostheses and restorative procedures.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Dental Materials program, part of Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences, focuses on the scientific study of biomaterials and compounds used in dental procedures. It is designed for students interested in the development and application of dental materials, as well as their interactions with living tissues in the oral cavity and overall health. This program is ideal for those pursuing advanced roles in dentistry and oral sciences.
Students in the Dental Materials program will gain knowledge in materials science, dental bioengineering, and biocompatibility. Coursework includes the physics and mechanics of dental materials, elastic and plastic deformation, surface bonding, and applications related to prostheses and restorative procedures.
Credentials awarded
What Dental Materials graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree1 graduates / yr · 1 institution100%
Graduates over time
Dental Materials completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2024 | 0 |
| 2025 | 1 |
Top 1 institutions for Dental Materials, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marquette University Milwaukee, WIPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 83% | $25,376 |
Offered in 1 states
Where Dental Materials graduates come from. Each state links to all Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | 1 | 1 | Marquette University1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-1071, Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Dental Materials program can pursue careers as Health Specialties Teachers or Dentists. The job outlook for related occupations is much faster than average, with a projected growth rate of 17.3% and approximately 27,400 annual openings. The median wage for these positions is $105,620, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.0505
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondaryprimary SOC 25-1071 | $107,310 | +17.3% Much faster than average | ~27,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Dentists, All Other Specialists SOC 29-1029 | $224,990 | +0.3% Little or no change | ~200 | Doctoral or professional degree |
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
Skills & knowledge in Dental Materials programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Supervise laboratory sessions.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
Tools and technology used
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).
- Dental Clinical SciencesCIP 51.0501419 graduates / yr25 institutions
- Orthodontics/CIP 51.0508
Orthodontology 332 graduates / yr40 institutions - Advanced General DentistryCIP 51.0502248 graduates / yr19 institutions
- Oral Biology and Oral and Maxillofacial PathologyCIP 51.0503201 graduates / yr20 institutions
- Endodontics/CIP 51.0506
Endodontology 161 graduates / yr30 institutions - Pediatric Dentistry/CIP 51.0509
Pedodontics 156 graduates / yr22 institutions - Periodontics/CIP 51.0510
Periodontology 150 graduates / yr28 institutions - Advanced/CIP 51.0599
Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences 138 graduates / yr11 institutions - Prosthodontics/CIP 51.0511
Prosthodontology 106 graduates / yr19 institutions - Dental Public Health and EducationCIP 51.050488 graduates / yr13 institutions
- Oral/CIP 51.0507
Maxillofacial Surgery 39 graduates / yr12 institutions - Implantology/CIP 51.0514
Implant Dentistry limited data1 graduates / yr1 institutions
Show 2 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Digital Dentistry51.0512
- Geriatric Dentistry51.0513
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
See all Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences programs →
Common questions
What degree do I earn in this program?+
You will earn a Master's degree.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
Currently, there is one college offering this program.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active learning, and effective communication.
What are the career prospects after graduation?+
Career prospects are strong, with a high growth rate and competitive median wages.
What is the CIP code for Dental Materials?+
Dental Materials is CIP 51.0505 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 scientific study of the biomaterials and inert and active compounds used in dental procedures; the development of dental materials; and their effects on the living tissues of the oral cavity and systemic bodily health. Includes instruction in materials science, dental bioengineering, biocompatibility of materials, physics and mechanics of dental materials, elastic and plastic deformation, surface bonding, and applications to fixed and removable prostheses and restorative procedures.
How many institutions offer Dental Materials programs?+
1 U.S. institutions reported Dental Materials graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 1 states, awarding 1 credentials in the year. That is 0.0% of all Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences graduates.
How much do Dental Materials graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary occupation, which Dental Materials most directly leads to, pays a median of $107,310 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.
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