How to work as a dentist in the United States: a complete guide

Bruna Nesjo

Posted on Fri Dec 8

7 min read

This blog post is intended for dentists who are interested in working in the United States. Here, you will find information on the requirements to obtain a work visa, how to revalidate your dental degree, and how much a dentist makes in the United States.

The job market for dentists in the United States is quite promising. The country suffers from a shortage of professionals in the field, and salaries are very high. If you are a Brazilian dentist and are thinking about migrating to the United States, this guide is for you.

Requirements to work as a dentist in the United States:

To work as a dentist in the United States, you must meet the following requirements:

A dental degree issued by an educational institution recognized by the Brazilian Ministry of Education;
English proficiency (intermediate or advanced level);
Pass a proficiency test in dentistry (INBDE).

Visa and Green Card options for Dentists:

There are several visa options for dentists who want to work in the United States. The most common are:

EB-2 NIW: Immigration Green Card for professionals with extraordinary skills or significant contributions to their field. After 5 years, it leads to AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP.
EB-1A: Immigration visa for people with extraordinary and highly recognized skills in their fields.
F-1: Temporary visa for foreign students who want to study in the United States.
H-1B: This visa is for foreign professionals who are hired by an American company.
J-1: This visa is for foreign professionals who participate in professional exchange programs.

Revalidation of a dental degree in the United States:

To practice dentistry in the United States, you will need to revalidate your Brazilian dental degree. Revalidation is the process by which your degree is recognized by the American authorities.

The first step is to verify if your degree is eligible for revalidation. To do this, you must contact the Dental Board of the state where you want to work.

If your degree is eligible, you will need to pass some exams and tests. The most important exams are the National Board Dental Examinations (NBDE), which assess basic and clinical knowledge of dentistry, and the English Proficiency Test (EPT), which assesses your level of fluency in English.

In addition to the exams, you will also need to complete a residency or fellowship program. The residency program is a two-year course that will give you practical experience in general dentistry. The fellowship program is a more specialized course that can last from one to two years.

There are several ways to revalidate your dental degree. One of the most common ways is to attend a dental education program accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).

Options for careers for dentists without revalidation and salaries:

If the dentist does not want or cannot revalidate the diploma, there are some career options that he can follow in the United States:

Dental assistant The dental assistant is responsible for assisting the dentist during clinical procedures. The average salary for a dental assistant in the United States is $45,870 annually, or $22,06 per hour. However, the salary range can vary from $31,000 to $61,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and type of employer.
Dental technician The dental technician is responsible for the manufacture of dental prostheses. The average salary for a dental technician in the United States is $44,660 annually, or $21,47 per hour. However, the salary range can vary from $33,000 to $56,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and type of employer.
Dental sales representative Dental sales representatives work for companies that manufacture or sell dental products and services. They must have a dental degree or degree in another related health area. The average salary for a dental sales representative in the United States is $62,110 annually, or $30,36 per hour. However, the salary range can vary from $45,000 to $80,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and type of employer.

Salaries of dentists in the United States:

According to the US Department of Labor, the average salary for a dentist in the country is $180,000 per year. This is equivalent to about R$900,000 in Brazil.

English for dentists in the United States:

English is an essential requirement to work as a dentist in the United States. You will need to have an intermediate or advanced level of proficiency to communicate with your patients and colleagues.

Living costs in the United States for dentists:

Living costs in the United States vary according to state and region. However, in general, living costs in the United States are higher than in Brazil.

According to a report by Numbeo, the cost of living in New York City is 182.9% higher than in Rio de Janeiro. The cost of living in Los Angeles is 172.5% higher than in Rio de Janeiro. And the cost of living in Chicago is 135.9% higher than in Rio de Janeiro.

Here are some examples of living costs in the United States for dentists:

Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in a central neighborhood: US$2,000 to US$3,000 per month
Plate of food in an average restaurant: US$20 to US$30
Bus or train ticket: US$2 to US$5 per ticket
Fuel for a car: US$3 to US$5 per gallon

Cultural differences between Brazil and the United States for dentists:

There are some important cultural differences between Brazil and the United States that dentists who want to migrate to the United States should be aware of.

The customer service culture in the United States is very strong. Dentists in the United States are expected to provide high-quality, personalized customer service.
Dentists in the United States are more likely to use advanced technology in their practices. Dentists who want to be successful in the United States should be familiar with the latest dental technologies.
Dentists in the United States are more likely to work in teams. Dentists in the United States usually work closely with other healthcare professionals, such as dental assistants, hygienists, and technicians.

Here are some tips for dentists who want to prepare for the cultural differences in the United States:

Research American culture. Read books and articles about American culture, watch American movies and television shows, and talk to people who live in the United States.
Be prepared to adapt to a new culture. Remember that things may be different in the United States than in Brazil.
Be flexible and open to new experiences. Being willing to learn and grow is essential for success in the United States.

Additional information:

Series and movies about dentists in the United States that may be inspiring for dentists who want to migrate to the country:

Series:
- E.R. (1994-2009)
- Scrubs (2001-2010)
- The Good Doctor (2017-present)
Movies:
- Marley & Me (2008)
- Big (1988)
- The Dentist (1996)

Instagram influencers who are dentists and immigrants in the United States:

Dr. Felipe de Oliveira (@felipeoliveiradentista)
Dra. Luana Martins (@draluanamartins)
Dr. Rafael Soares (@drrafaelsoares)
Dra. Juliana Rodrigues (@drajulianarodrigues)
Dra. Ana Carolina (@draanacarolina)

Books about dentists who are immigrants in the United States:

“The Immigrants: How They Made America”, by Ronald Takaki (2013)
“The American Dream: A Journey from Abroad”, by Susan Dentzer (2009)
“The Immigrant Dentist: A Guide to Success in the United States”, by Dr. William J. F. Jones (2016)
“The Dental Immigrant: Stories of Success and Struggle”, edited by Dr. James L. C. Chang and Dr. Christopher K. Chang (2019)

Major events:

Annual Conference of the American Dental Association (ADA)
International Congress of Odontology (ICO)
Washington, D.C. Latin American Folklife Festival
New York City African American Culture Festival

Main job search website:

Dental Jobs (link to website)

Planning is essential when it comes to moving to a new country. You can start validating your diploma while waiting for your visa approval and do both processes in parallel, so you arrive in the United States ready to work.