How to become a Dental Specialist

Diagnoses and treats diseases, injuries, irregularities and malformations of teeth and associated structures in the mouth and jaw using surgery and other specialist techniques.

Main tasks

• Examines patients' teeth, gums and related facial structures to diagnose and treat complex dental conditions caused by injuries, decay or malformations of the teeth and mouth
• Performs and interprets dental radiographs (X-rays) and other diagnostic tests
• Prescribes medications and administers anaesthesia to patients as necessary
• Collaborates with other dental professionals to develop treatment plans, explain them to patients, and monitor progress
• May surgically remove teeth or tumours, and perform restorative and cosmetic oral and maxillofacial surgery on patients
• May use specialised techniques to make dental prostheses and orthodontic devices for aesthetic and functional correction

Ways in

• University: Medicine & Dentistry degrees, Offered by 34 universities in Australia
• TAFE and VET: Certificate IV in Dental Assisting (HLT45021)
• Licence or registration: Registration or licensing is required.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $168,064 a year
• About 24,500 people work in this job group now, and about 33,200 are projected by 2035. (+35.8%)
• AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Related jobs

• Dentist
• Dental Hygienist
• Dental Prosthetist
• Oral Health Therapist or Dental Therapist
• Environmental Health Officer
• Health Promotion Officer

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Dental Specialist?

Ways in include: Medicine & Dentistry degrees; Certificate IV in Dental Assisting.

How much does a Dental Specialist earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $168,064 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Dental Specialist a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 36% by 2035, from about 24,500 to about 33,200 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Dental Specialist?

Usually. 90% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Dental Specialist?

AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04