Also called: Forensic Dentist
Uses teeth and bite marks to identify human remains and help solve crimes.
Usually a practicing dentist who gets called by the medical examiner: compares dental X-rays of unidentified remains to records of missing people, and after mass disasters works around the clock helping identify victims.
Most combine forensic work with a regular dental practice; forensic cases pay per case.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Professional degree (MD, JD, DVM…), about 10 years after high school. Dental degree plus forensic odontology training and board certification (ABFO).
Ways in: 4-year college, Professional school, Certification. Training cost: Over $150k.
Majors to look at: Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pre-Dental, Forensic Science.
Growing about average. Very small niche.
Low risk for 10 years. Software helps match dental X-rays to records; testifying and expert identification of remains stay human.
Classes: AP Biology, AP Chemistry, Forensic science.
Official data: O*NET occupation 29-1021.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.