n 2017, U.S. News & World Report ranked dentistry as the #1 “Best Job” in America. That ranking wasn’t arbitrary — it reflected dentistry’s strong salary potential, job demand and future prospects, low unemployment rate, and enviable balance of stress levels with quality of life.
Since then, dentistry has only grown in popularity. Dental schools have never been more competitive to enter, attracting some of the nation’s brightest students who dream of a career that blends science, artistry, independence, and service. The profession enjoys a reputation as one of the most rewarding careers in healthcare.
Consider the numbers: In 1990, there were 5,123 applicants and 4,001 first-year enrollees, a 72.4% acceptance rate. By 2007, demand had skyrocketed, with 13,742 applicants competing for just 4,770 first-year seats, an acceptance rate of only 33.6%. Even in 2023, though applications dipped to 11,198, the expansion of dental schools still made for stiff competition. That year, 6,708 first-year students enrolled, with an acceptance rate of 58.6%. Meanwhile, the academic bar keeps rising: the average GPA of incoming dental students has climbed from 3.20 in 2000 to 3.66 in 2024.
Source: My View: A wake-up call from the future for dentists / ADA News