California Prosthodontics Careers

The American Dental Association defines prosthodontics as “the dental specialty pertaining to the diagnosis, treatment planning, rehabilitation and maintenance of the oral function, comfort, appearance and health of patients with clinical conditions associated with missing or deficient teeth and/or oral and maxillofacial tissues using biocompatible substitutes.” Prosthodontists work with patients of all ages, but a typical patient is an adult with complex restorative needs, oral disease, and other serious treatment needs.

Because prosthodontics is a highly specialized field, the number of prosthodontists practicing in the U.S. is relatively small compared to other specialty areas of dentistry.

Prosthodontics Education and Training Programs

To become a prosthodontist, you must first complete an accredited dental program leading to a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS), Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD),  or other equivalent degree. These programs typically take 4 years to complete, full-time. Inmost state’s you must obtain a license to practice dentistry in general. To obtain alicense in the State of California, applicant’s must:

Provide satisfactory evidence of having graduated from a dental school program approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) or the Dental Board of California  
Provide satisfactory evidence of having passed parts I & II of the National Board Written Examination
Complete and pass the California Law and Ethics Examination

In general, following completion of a dental program and licensing, you must complete a prosthodontics program accredited by the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). Upon completion of the program, you will receive a Certificate in prosthodontics and become eligible to take the examination by the American Board of Prosthodontics (ABP). After passing the exam, you will have satisfied all of the requirements to become a Board Certified Prosthodontist.

Most prosthodontic training programs last around 36 months and tuition costs vary by state and residency status. However, it is not uncommon for many programs to cost in excess of $70,000 per year (for tuition only). To offset tuition costs (and possible room, board, transportation, etc. costs up to $25,000 or more each year), some programs offer a stipend. It is important to keep in mind that while some schools do offer stipends, many do not.

Prosthodontics Schools and Training Programs in California

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry lists five accredited xxxx programs in the State of California. They include:

Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA
University of California Los Angeles School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, CA
University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
University of Southern California, Ostrow School of Dentistry Division of Orthodontics, Los Angeles, CA

These competitive 2 to 3 year programs typically accept just a few dental graduates each year.

Employment and Earnings Outlook for California Prosthodontists

The Bureau of labor Statistics does not offer employment and earnings information for California-based prosthodontists. The Bureau does, however, offer information for prosthodontists overall.

The U.S. is home to 310 prosthodontists averaging $168,120 per year. The number of prosthodontists practicing in the U.S. has decreased since 2008, when the country was home to 370 professionals in this field. Salaries have declined as well. In 2008, the average annual salary for U.S. prosthodontists was $169,810 per year.

According to the Bureau, the industry with the highest level of employment, the highest concentration of employment, and the top pay for prosthodontists is “offices of dentists.” With a population of 270 of the 310 practicing prosthodontists in the U.S., professionals working in this industry average $176,900 per year, down from $187,020 in 2008.