What does an associate dentist do?
An Associate Dentist helps the dentist carry out dental duties effectively and efficiently. They also help design plans for the treatment of the patients, provide anesthesia, and schedule patients appointments.
Associate dentist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real associate dentist resumes:
- Provide and manage direct patient care, including examinations, evaluations, diagnosis and treatment for practice's diverse patient population.
- Perform quality patient care in a busy Medicaid and insurance practice including root canals, crowns, dentures, and extractions
- Diagnose and provide treatment for mostly Medicaid patients.
- Use Dentrix and Dexis software on a daily basis.
- Fast pace office that serve a large percentage of Medicaid insure pediatric population.
- Provide patient care in all aspects of general dentistry including tasks like filling, tooth extraction, and setting artificial dentures.
- Practice utilizes digital radiographs and Dentrix.
- Perform diagnosis and comprehensive treatment of oral cavity.
- Work in a hospital residency training program delivering care to patients and training general practice residency dentists.
- Educate patients about treatment procedures, recommend appropriate treatment plans and necessary follow- up and dental maintenance.
- Remove excess cement from brackets and orthodontic bands.
- Provide general dental treatment with emphasis on various direct restorative procedures and extractions
Associate dentist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 58% of Associate Dentists are proficient in Patients, DDS, and Oral Health. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Detail oriented, and Dexterity.
We break down the percentage of Associate Dentists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Patients, 58%
Worked in a hospital residency training program delivering care to patients and training general practice residency dentists.
- DDS, 14%
Porter Family Dentistry, Dr. David Porter, DDS, PC La Porte, Indiana 5.
- Oral Health, 8%
Provided general and oral health education.
- Aspen, 4%
Filled in for vacationing dentists and augmented dental care in various Aspen offices in Northwest Indiana.
- Dental Services, 4%
Provided dental services including exam periodontal treatment, indirect/direct restoration, oral surgery, and root canal treatment.
- Dentures, 3%
Performed general dentistry duties in addition to placing implants, STI, dentures over implants, all in four, etc.
Most associate dentists use their skills in "patients," "dds," and "oral health" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential associate dentist responsibilities here:
Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for an associate dentist to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what associate dentists do because "dentists must communicate effectively with patients, dental hygienists, dental assistants, and receptionists." Additionally, an associate dentist resume shows how associate dentists use communication skills: "enjoy all aspects of prosthetic treatment both fixed and removable including close communication with dental technicians to achieve predictable outcomes. "
Detail oriented. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling associate dentist duties is detail oriented. The role rewards competence in this skill because "dentists must pay attention to the shape and color of teeth and to the space between them." According to an associate dentist resume, here's how associate dentists can utilize detail oriented in their job responsibilities: "serve the general population in a professional, family-oriented private practice with an emphasis on comprehensive oral care. "
Dexterity. associate dentists are also known for dexterity, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to associate dentist responsibilities, because "dentists must be good with their hands." An associate dentist resume example shows how dexterity is used in the workplace: "assisted senior dentist in surgical procedures such as implant placement, sinus lifting, alveoloplasty and disimpaction. "
Leadership skills. associate dentist responsibilities often require "leadership skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "dentists, especially those with their own practices, may need to manage staff or mentor other dentists." This resume example shows what associate dentists do with leadership skills on a typical day: "assessed and diagnose oral conditions performed restorations and extractions repair and construct dentures provided treatment of minor orthodontic appliance leadership activities"
Patience. Another crucial skill for an associate dentist to carry out their responsibilities is "patience." A big part of what associate dentists relies on this skill, since "dentists may work for long periods with patients who need special attention, including children and those with a fear of dental work." How this skill relates to associate dentist duties can be seen in an example from an associate dentist resume snippet: "performed surgical procedures with confidence and a high degree of skill and patience including implants and surgical extractions. "
Problem-solving skills. While "problem-solving skills" is last on this skills list, don't underestimate its importance to associate dentist responsibilities. Much of what an associate dentist does relies on this skill, seeing as "dentists must evaluate patients’ symptoms and choose the appropriate treatment." Here is a resume example of how this skill is used in the everyday duties of associate dentists: "implemented digital solutions for x-rays and patient information records. "
The three companies that hire the most associate dentists are:
- Pacific Dental Services113 associate dentists jobs
- Midwest Dental36 associate dentists jobs
- Affordable Care27 associate dentists jobs
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Compare different associate dentists
Associate dentist vs. Dentist/owner
A Dentist/Owner is a person who is qualified to treat diseases and conditions that affect the teeth and gums of patients. They also are the owner of a dentist office.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, associate dentist responsibilities require skills like "dds," "oral health," "aspen," and "dental services." Meanwhile a typical dentist/owner has skills in areas such as "treatment planning," "dental implants," "surgical extractions," and "treatment options." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Dentist/owners tend to reach similar levels of education than associate dentists. In fact, dentist/owners are 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 15.2% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Associate dentist vs. General dentist
The primary job of general dentists is to diagnose, treat, and manage patients' oral health care needs, including root canals, fillings, and gum care. They are considered as the main dental care providers for both children and adults. General dentists typically perform a few tasks, including performing regular dental examinations and teeth cleanings, ensuring patients receive an appropriate and timely treatment for their dental issues and performing cosmetic procedures such as teeth whitening and cosmetic bonding.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, associate dentist responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "dds," "oral health," "aspen," and "comprehensive treatment planning." Meanwhile, a general dentist has duties that require skills in areas such as "patient care," "treatment planning," "osha," and "dental hygiene." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
On average, general dentists earn a lower salary than associate dentists. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, general dentists earn the most pay in the professional industry with an average salary of $145,654. Whereas associate dentists have higher pay in the health care industry, with an average salary of $143,089.Average education levels between the two professions vary. General dentists tend to reach similar levels of education than associate dentists. In fact, they're 0.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 15.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Associate dentist vs. Family dentist
Dentists are physicians specializing in oral health. The main responsibilities of dentists are to diagnose oral diseases and treat them with the help of different equipment and technologies. They manage to provide several services like tooth repair, cavities removal, teeth whitening, fillings, crowns, bridges, and even surgical procedures. They also help promote oral care by participating in community outreach and awareness programs. Sometimes, they would also conduct lectures and seminars for preventive education.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an associate dentist is likely to be skilled in "dds," "aspen," "dental services," and "ppo," while a typical family dentist is skilled in "appointment scheduling," "front desk," "patient care," and "treatment planning."
Most family dentists achieve a similar degree level compared to associate dentists. For example, they're 3.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 34.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Associate dentist vs. Dentist
Types of associate dentist
Updated January 8, 2025
