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Certified dental assistant vs clerical dentist assistant

The differences between certified dental assistants and clerical dentist assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a certified dental assistant and a clerical dentist assistant. Additionally, a clerical dentist assistant has an average salary of $82,890, which is higher than the $38,418 average annual salary of a certified dental assistant.

The top three skills for a certified dental assistant include patients, dental procedures and CPR. The most important skills for a clerical dentist assistant are patients, chair side, and appointment schedules.

Certified dental assistant vs clerical dentist assistant overview

Certified Dental AssistantClerical Dentist Assistant
Yearly salary$38,418$82,890
Hourly rate$18.47$39.85
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs102,31618,920
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 31%Bachelor's Degree, 26%
Average age3838
Years of experience22

Certified dental assistant vs clerical dentist assistant salary

Certified dental assistants and clerical dentist assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Certified Dental AssistantClerical Dentist Assistant
Average salary$38,418$82,890
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $51,000Between $45,000 And $149,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between certified dental assistant and clerical dentist assistant education

There are a few differences between a certified dental assistant and a clerical dentist assistant in terms of educational background:

Certified Dental AssistantClerical Dentist Assistant
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 31%Bachelor's Degree, 26%
Most common majorDental AssistingDental Assisting
Most common college--

Certified dental assistant vs clerical dentist assistant demographics

Here are the differences between certified dental assistants' and clerical dentist assistants' demographics:

Certified Dental AssistantClerical Dentist Assistant
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 6.7% Female, 93.3%Male, 14.3% Female, 85.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 21.5% Asian, 7.8% White, 56.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 7.0% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 26.0% Asian, 9.9% White, 51.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between certified dental assistant and clerical dentist assistant duties and responsibilities

Certified dental assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage surgery center infection control plan to meet OSHA, CDC and ADA standards.
  • Provide excellent customer service to dental patients and represent the organization at trade shows and presentations.
  • Reconcile payments, verify insurance benefits, schedule appointments and present patients with necessary treatment plans.
  • Assist in oral surgery under local and twilight anesthesia in a private practice setting.Primary IV starter and administer anesthetics on command.
  • Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation and operate resuscitation equipment.

Clerical dentist assistant example responsibilities.

  • Help dentist to manage dental and medical emergencies by maintaining CPR certification, emergency drug and oxygen supply.
  • Enter and chart patient information using Dentrix.
  • Assist Dr. during surgery with tray setups, composites, crown and bridges, partials and dentures.
  • Assist with composite/amalgam restoration, crown & bridge preps/seats, endo, extractions, implants, and general anesthesia.
  • Communicate with patients and insurance companies to schedule appointments and verify benefits and eligibility.
  • Prepare patients for examination, and properly arrange examining rooms with the necessary equipment for procedures.
  • Show more

Certified dental assistant vs clerical dentist assistant skills

Common certified dental assistant skills
  • Patients, 26%
  • Dental Procedures, 9%
  • CPR, 8%
  • Chair Side, 6%
  • Patient Care, 4%
  • Treatment Rooms, 3%
Common clerical dentist assistant skills
  • Patients, 39%
  • Chair Side, 4%
  • Appointment Schedules, 4%
  • Vital Signs, 4%
  • Front Desk, 3%
  • Instrument Trays, 3%

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