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The differences between assistants-at surgery and dental assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become an assistant-at-surgery, becoming a dental assistant takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an assistant-at-surgery has an average salary of $81,630, which is higher than the $37,730 average annual salary of a dental assistant.
The top three skills for an assistant-at-surgery include patients, surgical procedures and HIPAA. The most important skills for a dental assistant are patients, patient care, and CPR.
| Assistant-At-Surgery | Dental Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $81,630 | $37,730 |
| Hourly rate | $39.25 | $18.14 |
| Growth rate | 16% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 154,070 | 69,835 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 30% | Associate Degree, 23% |
| Average age | 37 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 2 |
An assistant at surgery is a medical professional who assists surgeons and nurses during surgical operations and other procedures. They are responsible for setting up and maintaining the cleanliness of operating rooms, preparing and sanitizing tools and equipment, understanding the operations' course, and preparing the patients pre-surgery through interviews and assessments. During the surgery, they provide direct assistance to the surgeon by handing the correct tools, monitoring the patients' vital signs, attaching tubes, and even closing wounds. Moreover, as an assistant at surgery, it is essential to be proactive and have a clear mind presence.
Dental assistants provide patient care, have the ability to take x-rays, blood pressure readings, and help dentists perform treatments and procedures. They also keep patients' dental records, schedule appointments, prepare and maintain materials and equipment. They may conduct tests that are not much complicated and would not require the supervision of a dentist or dental surgeon. They also may administer and dispense medications to patients under the doctor's orders. Most dental assistants work in dentists' offices as full time in dental practice, but they can specialize and get employment in orthodontic or periodontist offices and other practices.
Assistants-at surgery and dental assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Assistant-At-Surgery | Dental Assistant | |
| Average salary | $81,630 | $37,730 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $215,000 | Between $28,000 And $50,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | Saint Paul, MN |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Physician Affiliate Group of New York | Alameda Health System |
| Best paying industry | - | Government |
There are a few differences between an assistant-at-surgery and a dental assistant in terms of educational background:
| Assistant-At-Surgery | Dental Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 30% | Associate Degree, 23% |
| Most common major | Medical Assisting Services | Dental Assisting |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between assistants-at surgery' and dental assistants' demographics:
| Assistant-At-Surgery | Dental Assistant | |
| Average age | 37 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 25.5% Female, 74.5% | Male, 11.5% Female, 88.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 23.3% Asian, 9.7% White, 51.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 8.3% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 24.4% Asian, 9.1% White, 52.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 4% |