Best institutions to study Pediatric Dentistry/Pedodontics
A program that focuses on the advanced study of the therapeutic and preventive care of the oral health of children from birth through adolescence, and the care of adults with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities.
22 U.S. institutions graduated 156 Pediatric Dentistry/Pedodontics students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.0509, 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).
About Pediatric Dentistry/Pedodontics programs
A program that focuses on the advanced study of the therapeutic and preventive care of the oral health of children from birth through adolescence, and the care of adults with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities. Includes instruction in developmental oral biology, preventive medicine, diet therapy and counseling, patient management, pediatric restorative procedures, pulp therapy, trauma management, anesthesia, treatment planning, and the treatment of handicapped patients.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Pediatric Dentistry/Pedodontics program is an advanced study focusing on the therapeutic and preventive care of children's oral health from birth through adolescence. It also includes care for adults with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities. This program is ideal for dental professionals seeking to specialize in pediatric dentistry and enhance their skills in managing the unique needs of younger patients.
Students in this program will gain knowledge in developmental oral biology, preventive medicine, diet therapy, patient management, and pediatric restorative procedures. Coursework also covers anesthesia, treatment planning, and trauma management, equipping graduates with essential skills for effective practice in pediatric dentistry.
Credentials awarded
What Pediatric Dentistry/Pedodontics graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Post-master's certificate118 graduates / yr · 17 institutions76%
- Master's degree28 graduates / yr · 7 institutions18%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate9 graduates / yr · 2 institutions5.8%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.6%
Graduates over time
Pediatric Dentistry/Pedodontics completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 104 |
| 2013 | 93 |
| 2014 | 118 |
| 2015 | 106 |
| 2016 | 117 |
| 2017 | 123 |
| 2018 | 138 |
| 2019 | 141 |
| 2020 | 133 |
| 2021 | 143 |
| 2022 | 148 |
| 2023 | 156 |
| 2024 | 154 |
| 2025 | 156 |
Top 22 institutions for Pediatric Dentistry/Pedodontics, 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 | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster'sDoctoral | 16 | 89% | $21,956 | — |
| 2 | The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Houston, TXPublicMaster'sMaster's | 15 | — | — | — |
| 3 | University of Rochester Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 13 | 85% | $25,874 | — |
| 4 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicMaster's | 11 | 84% | — | — |
| 5 | The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio San Antonio, TXPublicMaster's | 10 | — | — | — |
| 6 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 9 | 92% | $26,873 | — |
| 7 | Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OHPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 9 | 87% | $27,976 | — |
| 8 | Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 8 | 63% | $31,672 | — |
| 9 | Loma Linda University Loma Linda, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 7 | — | — | — |
| 10 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJPublicMaster's | 6 | 84% | — | — |
| 11 | Howard University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 5 | 70% | $48,194 | — |
| 12 | Tufts University Medford, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 5 | 94% | $23,570 | — |
| 13 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicMaster's | 5 | 93% | — | — |
| 14 | University of Nevada - Las Vegas Las Vegas, NVPublicPost-degree cert. | 5 | 51% | — | — |
| 15 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicMaster's | 5 | 85% | — | — |
| 16 | University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences San Juan, PRPublicMaster'sMaster's | 5 | — | — | — |
| 17 | University of Louisville Louisville, KYPublicMaster's | 4 | 61% | — | — |
| 18 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MNPublicPost-degree cert. | 4 | 85% | — | — |
| 19 | University of Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NEPublicMaster's | 4 | — | — | — |
| 20 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 4 | 97% | $22,055 | $220,594 |
| 21 | University of Iowa Iowa City, IAPublicMaster's | 3 | 75% | — | — |
| 22 | Saint Louis University Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 3 | 80% | $24,886 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences field (CIP 51.05) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 18 states & territories
Where Pediatric Dentistry/Pedodontics 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 3 | 36 | The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston15 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 2 | 21 | Boston University16 / yr |
| California | 2 | 16 | University of Southern California9 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 13 | University of Rochester13 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 9 | Case Western Reserve University9 / yr |
| Florida | 1 | 8 | Nova Southeastern University8 / yr |
| New Jersey | 1 | 6 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick6 / yr |
| District of Columbia | 1 | 5 | Howard University5 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 5 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor5 / yr |
| Nevada | 1 | 5 | University of Nevada - Las Vegas5 / yr |
| Washington | 1 | 5 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus5 / yr |
| Puerto Rico | 1 | 5 | University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences5 / yr |
| Kentucky | 1 | 4 | University of Louisville4 / yr |
| Minnesota | 1 | 4 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities4 / yr |
| Nebraska | 1 | 4 | University of Nebraska Medical Center4 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 4 | University of Pennsylvania4 / yr |
| Iowa | 1 | 3 | University of Iowa3 / yr |
| Missouri | 1 | 3 | Saint Louis University3 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 29-1021, Dentists, General, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Pediatric Dentistry/Pedodontics program can pursue careers as general dentists or health specialties teachers at the postsecondary level. The job outlook for this field is about as fast as average, with an expected growth rate of 4.1% and approximately 3,900 annual openings. The median wage for professionals in this area is $172,790, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.0509
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Dentists, Generalprimary SOC 29-1021 | $170,950 | +4.1% About as fast as average | ~3,900 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1071 | $107,310 | +17.3% Much faster than average | ~27,400 | 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 Pediatric Dentistry/Pedodontics 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
- 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
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 - 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 - Dental MaterialsCIP 51.0505limited data1 graduates / yr1 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 degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a post-master's certificate, master's degree, postbaccalaureate certificate, or a doctor's degree.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are 22 colleges offering the Pediatric Dentistry/Pedodontics program in the U.S.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, monitoring, and effective communication.
What is the typical education required for a career in this field?+
A doctoral or professional degree is typically required for careers in pediatric dentistry.
What is the CIP code for Pediatric Dentistry/Pedodontics?+
Pediatric Dentistry/Pedodontics is CIP 51.0509 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 the therapeutic and preventive care of the oral health of children from birth through adolescence, and the care of adults with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities. Includes instruction in developmental oral biology, preventive medicine, diet therapy and counseling, patient management, pediatric restorative procedures, pulp therapy, trauma management, anesthesia, treatment planning, and the treatment of handicapped patients.
How many institutions offer Pediatric Dentistry/Pedodontics programs?+
22 U.S. institutions reported Pediatric Dentistry/Pedodontics graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 18 states & territories, awarding 156 credentials in the year. That is 7.6% of all Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences graduates.
How much do Pediatric Dentistry/Pedodontics graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Dentists, General occupation, which Pediatric Dentistry/Pedodontics most directly leads to, pays a median of $170,950 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences field report median earnings of $220,594 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
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