Hiring guide · Healthcare
How to Hire a Dentist
Pay benchmarks, qualifications, sourcing, screening and interview questions for hiring dentists, plus a plan to get them productive fast.
Write a clear job description, offer competitive pay (the national median is $170,950), recruit through community college and vocational program career centers, verify State dental license where applicable, run a structured interview with a practical skills check, and onboard with a 30-60-90 day plan.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
The hiring market for dentists
There are about 141,900 dentists employed in the U.S., with roughly 4,200 openings each year. Employment is projected to change +5.7% from 2025–35 (faster than average). Expect competition for qualified candidates: speed and a strong offer matter.
Pay benchmarks for offers
| Candidate level | Annual | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th–25th percentile) | $86,250–$125,710 | $41.47–$60.44 |
| Typical / mid-career (median) | $170,950 | $82.19 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $224,040 | $107.71 |
| Top of market (90th percentile) | $319,630 | $153.67 |
*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours except median. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.
What to look for
Must-haves
- Doctoral or professional degree (typical entry level)
- Licensing or certification required in your state
- Restorative dentistry
- Manual dexterity
Nice-to-haves
- State dental license
- INBDE
- DEA registration
- Experience with dental handpieces
Where to find dentists
- Community college and vocational program career centers
- Clinical externship and student-placement partnerships
- State nurse aide registries and healthcare job boards
- Employee referral programs
- Job postings that use common alternate titles: General Dentist, DDS, DMD, Family Dentist
Screening checklist
- Verify certifications and state registry or license status with the issuing body
- Background checks and federal exclusion-list (OIG LEIE) screening as required for your organization
- Immunization records, TB testing and drug screening according to policy and law
- Current BLS/CPR certification
Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.
1. “Why dentistry?”
What a strong answer includes: Share motivation.
2. “How do you calm anxious patients?”
What a strong answer includes: Give examples.
3. “Describe your clinical strengths.”
What a strong answer includes: Be specific.
4. “Do you want to own a practice?”
What a strong answer includes: Share goals.
5. “How do you explain treatment?”
What a strong answer includes: Show communication.
Practical skills checks
A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:
- Place a Composite Filling (see the steps)
- Present a Treatment Plan (see the steps)
- Give a Local Anesthetic Injection (see the steps)
Red flags
- Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
- Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
- Unfamiliar with core terms such as DDS/DMD, Caries, Restoration
- Negative talk about every past employer or coworker
Onboard for retention
The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Dentist 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Dentist training. Show them the path forward: Associate Dentist → Practice Owner → Specialist → Faculty or Dental Director.
Hiring dentists: FAQ
How much should I pay a dentist?
The U.S. median wage for dentists is $170,950 per year ($82.19/hour), according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($125,710), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($224,040). Adjust for your local market.
What qualifications should a dentist have?
BLS lists “doctoral or professional degree” as the typical entry-level education. Look for State dental license and INBDE where relevant, plus skills such as restorative dentistry, oral diagnosis, and radiography.
How long does it take to train a new dentist?
Becoming qualified typically takes 8 years after high school. After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “none.”