Doctors FAQs

Are temp or locum jobs available for dentists?

Yes. Heartland Dental supported practices often have part-time, temporary, or locum tenens opportunities. Availability varies by practice and region, but with 1,900+ supported offices in 39 states and DC, there’s a wide network to explore. Explore Career Opportunities.

How many dentists work in Heartland Dental supported practices?

We’re proud to support over 3,000 dentists across 1,900+ supported offices in 39 states and the District of Columbia. Explore Career Opportunities.

What level of experience is required for a dentist at a Heartland Dental supported practice?

Heartland Dental supported practices welcome dentists at every stage of their career. You’ll find General Dentist jobs that require no prior experience—perfect for new graduates—while some positions may prefer 1–3 years of clinical practice to match specific office needs. Learn More.

What benefits are offered to dentists at a Heartland Dental supported practice?

Heartland Dental supported practices provide a comprehensive benefits package to support your health, finances, career growth, and work–life balance. You’ll enjoy medical (with free telemedicine, care navigation, and musculoskeletal services), dental, and vision benefits; competitive starting salaries with bonus opportunities; 401(k) with Roth options; paid holidays and vacation; plus opportunities for leadership training and access to daily pay for select roles. Learn More.

Does Heartland Dental support dental specialists?

In addition to General Dentists, Heartland Dental supported practices employ Endodontists, Orthodontists, Oral Surgeons, Pediatric Dentists, Periodontists, and Prosthodontists. Learn More.

Is Heartland Dental a good place to work?

Heartland Dental is honored to be named one of Newsweek’s America’s Greatest Workplaces in Health Care in 2025 and receive both Greatest Workplaces and Greatest Workplaces for Diversity in 2024. In a Heartland Dental supported practice, you’ll benefit from access to ongoing professional development through Heartland Dental University, flexible schedule opportunities, and a community-focused culture that values teamwork.Explore Career Opportunities.

What do dentists like about their jobs?

A career in dentistry offers meaningful patient impact, work–life balance, professional independence, job stability, and strong earning potential. Dentists supported by Heartland Dental enjoy all of this—plus access to industry-leading continuing education, retain full clinical autonomy across a wide range of procedures, and administrative support that lets them focus on delivering high-quality care to their patients and communities. Learn More.

How much do Heartland Dental supported practices pay dentists?

Heartland Dental supported doctors on average earn $318,000+. That’s more than the top 10% of dentists in the United States. On average, supported doctors earn 32% of collections and top performers earn 36% or more. The exact percentage earned depends on procedures the doctor chooses to offer, base salary, supported office profitability, and other factors. Learn More.

How much do dentists make?

Dentist compensation can vary based on the procedures you choose to offer, your base salary, overall office profitability, and bonus structure—along with factors like location, cost of living, experience, and practice type. Heartland Dental supported practices offer a market-leading compensation model that can position you to take home significantly more than you could somewhere else. Explore Career Opportunities.

What is an average salary for a dentist?

The median annual wage for a dentist is $180,000, according to Bureau of Labor and Statistics data. Individual earnings vary greatly by location, years’ experience, and practice type. Heartland Dental supported doctors average $318,000+. That’s more than the top 10% of dentists in America. Supported practices use a market-leading compensation model that pairs the security of a guaranteed base salary with uncapped earning potential from a competitive bonus structure and wealth-creation programs that reward doctors for the high-quality care they provide to patients. Explore Career Opportunities.

What is the starting salary of a new dentist in the USA?

Dentist compensation varies based on location, cost of living, experience, and practice type. Heartland Dental supported practices provide competitive compensation packages and benefits that support health, finances, career growth, and balance. Explore Career Opportunities

Is being a dentist worth it financially?

For most dentists, yes. Dentistry offers strong earning potential, stable demand, and long-term financial upside. General Dentists typically earn high incomes compared to other healthcare and professional fields, and specialists often earn even more. While dental school requires a significant investment, many dentists see return on investment due to competitive compensation, opportunities to offer a wide range of services, and flexible career paths. DSO-supported practices can also help reduce financial pressure by offering stable compensation, benefits, and clinical support without the overhead costs of owning a practice, improving both financial outcomes and personal balance. Heartland Dental supported doctors average more than the top 10% of dentists in America. Learn More.

Which dentist job pays the most?

The highest-paying dentist jobs are typically in oral surgery. According to the ADA Health Policy Institute, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons consistently earn the most among dental specialists. General Dentists can also achieve top-tier compensation when they have the ability to practice as Super General Practitioners, offering high-value procedures such as clear-aligner therapy, crowns, implants, and root canals. Heartland Dental supported practices include specialists, Super GPs and General Dentists, giving supported doctors multiple paths to increase their skills and enhance their earning potential. Learn More.

{Source: Recent Trends in the Market for Oral Surgeons Endodontists Orthodontist}

Do Periodontists make more than dentists?

Yes. On average, Periodontists earn more than General Dentists. Many General Dentists also offer periodontal services, but the scope varies by provider. In group or supported-practice settings (like Heartland Dental supported practices), General Dentists may collaborate closely with Periodontists or offer some periodontal services themselves to make it easier for patients to receive comprehensive care in one location. Learn More.

Do dentists get paid per patient?

Not usually. While compensation varies greatly by location and practice model, most dentists are paid either by a salary or percentage of revenue from procedures performed. Heartland Dental supported practices offer a guaranteed base salary, plus uncapped earning potential through a market-leading compensation model that rewards doctors for the care they deliver each day. On average, Heartland Dental supported doctors earn 32% of their collections with top performers earning 36% or more. Learn More.

Where are dentists needed the most?

Demand for dentists is highest in rural and underserved urban areas, where the number of providers hasn’t kept up with growing population needs. Many Midwestern communities and fast-growing markets also face significant shortages. These high-need areas can even include desirable beach, mountain, lake, and desert communities—especially those with large senior populations. Heartland Dental supports practices across 39 states and D.C., offering opportunities in many of these in-demand locations. Relocation assistance may be available for select high-need markets. Learn More.

{Source: Dental workforce shortages: Data to Navigate Today’s Labor Market}

What job opportunities are available for dentists in the United States?

Dentists in the United States have strong career opportunities across private practices and dental support organizations (DSOs). High-demand roles include General Dentists, Orthodontists, Oral Surgeons, Endodontists, and Pediatric Dentists. Many General Dentists also expand their scope as Super General Practitioners (Super GPs), offering advanced services such as implants, Invisalign, and endodontics. Heartland Dental is one of the nation’s largest DSOs, supporting 3,000+ dentists and specialists in 1,900+ offices across 39 states and Washington, D.C. We offer full-time, part-time, and flexible schedules; mentorship for new graduates; and career paths aligned to a wide range of clinical interests and lifestyle needs. Explore Career Opportunities.

What is the unemployment rate for a dentist?

On average, dentists experience low unemployment and strong job stability due to ongoing demand for dental services. Heartland Dental supports 3,000+ dentists in 1,900+ offices in 39 states and D.C. Explore Career Opportunities.

Are dentists in demand right now?

Yes. Dentists are in strong demand nationwide due to retirements, fewer new graduates, and steady patient growth. Heartland Dental supports practices that employ 3,000+ dentists across 1,900+ offices in 39 states and D.C., with rewarding opportunities available across the country. Explore Career Opportunities.

What other jobs can you do as a dentist?

Dentists can pursue diverse careers beyond clinical practice, including education, administration, leadership, innovation, and dental technology. At Heartland Dental supported practices, supported doctors have access to extensive continuing education that lets them expand their clinical, business, and leadership skills. There are also opportunities to advance into mentorship, education, and clinical operations roles while continuing to impact patient care. Explore Career Opportunities.

How do I find a job as a dentist?

Dentists can find job opportunities through multiple channels. Start by searching dental job boards, DSO career sites, state dental associations, and national platforms like Indeed and LinkedIn. Many dentists also connect with recruiters who specialize in dental placements. New graduates often find roles through dental school career services, externships, and networking with practicing dentists. Learn More.

Do dentists get a lot of time off?

Most dentists enjoy schedules that allow for meaningful time off, though specifics vary by practice and employment model. Many General Dentists work four-day clinical weeks, naturally creating long weekends. Dental support organizations (DSOs) typically offer paid time off, holidays, and continuing education (CE) days. Practice owners set their own schedules but must balance time away with patient and business needs. Heartland Dental supported practices offer six paid holidays plus discretionary paid time off that lets supported doctors balance their own personal needs with the needs of the practice. Learn More.

Is owning a dental office worth it?

Owning a dental practice can be financially rewarding, but it comes with added responsibility and risk. Practice owners take on overhead costs, staffing, compliance, marketing, and the daily pressures of running a business. Ultimately, the right path depends on your financial goals, risk tolerance, and preferred work style. Heartland Dental supported practices offer dentists many of the benefits of ownership with less risk and greater balance. Explore Career Opportunities.