Periodontist

Duties and Responsibilities: A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease, and in the placement of dental implants. Periodontists are also experts in the treatment of oral inflammation. Periodontists receive extensive training in these areas, including three additional years of education beyond dental school. They are familiar with the latest techniques for diagnosing and treating periodontal disease, and are also trained in performing cosmetic periodontal procedures.

Salary: $192,000 per year

Education: You'll need a minimum of 2 years of college level pre-dental education before you can be admitted to dental school. Most dentists (including periodontists) obtain their bachelor's degree before entering dental school, and of those who enter dental school without first getting a bachelor's degree, generally get it while attending dental school.