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Dental Support Services at Oakland Community College

Auburn Hills, MI · Public · Associate Degree · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

enrolling 11,772 students in Auburn Hills, MI.

Program Analysis

Oakland Community College Dental Support Services graduates command $46,032/yr out of the gate, well above the $36,429 national median. That 26% premium suggests the program's industry reputation carries real labor-market weight.

The 79.7x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 24% task exposure — and the 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Dental Support Services graduates.

Ranked #74 out of 513 programs, Oakland Community College's Dental Support Services program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Dental Support Services connects to 4 apprenticeship options. The earn-while-you-learn model can be a strong alternative or complement to a certificate program.

66 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
64
Low End
66
Score
67
High End
Earnings $46,032/yr (26% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$46K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
79.7x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
4 of 4
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition (In-State)
$6,040
Out-of-state: $11,120
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$42,646
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Dental Support Services graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary $105,620 +17.3% 52%
Dental hygienists $94,260 +7.0% 81%
Dental laboratory technicians $48,310 -4.7% 96%
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary
$105,620
+17.3% growth 52% AI-proof
Dental hygienists
$94,260
+7.0% growth 81% AI-proof
Dental laboratory technicians
$48,310
-4.7% growth 96% AI-proof

View all 4 career paths with full salary data →

About Dental Support Services Careers

Your career will likely begin chairside as a dental assistant. You’ll be the dentist’s right hand, preparing treatment rooms, sterilizing instruments, passing tools during procedures, and operating the suction hose. You'll also be a key patient contact, taking X-rays and making people feel at ease. Many professionals use this experience as a launchpad, returning to school to become a dental hygienist.

Read the full Dental Support Services career guide →

Compare & Explore

Dental Support Services Overview

View all 513 schools offering Dental Support Services →

Dental Support Services at Other Schools

Chabot College ($85,175) Shoreline Community College ($78,372) Community College of Denver ($76,712) Cabrillo College ($74,741) Concorde Career College-San Bernardino ($73,660) Concorde Career College-Garden Grove ($72,160) Pima Medical Institute-Tucson ($71,216) Pima Medical Institute-Seattle ($71,216)

Other Majors at Oakland Community College

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($68,856) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($55,731) Science Technologies/Technicians, Other ($53,078) Criminal Justice and Corrections ($51,827) Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians ($45,844) Fire Protection ($44,178) Legal Support Services ($42,262) Accounting and Related Services ($40,424)

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Compare Dental Support Services degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Oakland Community College's Dental Support Services program score?
This program scores 66/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Dental Support Services graduates.
Is Oakland Community College one of the best schools for Dental Support Services?
Among 513 Dental Support Services programs, Oakland Community College's #74 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Dental Support Services graduates?
Yes — 4 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Dental Support Services career paths, including Dental Assistant (Alternate Title: Dental Specialist). Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
How many job openings are there for Dental Support Services graduates?
The career paths mapped to Dental Support Services have roughly 99,500 combined annual openings nationally, making this a large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →