Post job

Certified dental assistant vs dental nurse

The differences between certified dental assistants and dental nurses 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 dental nurse. Additionally, a dental nurse has an average salary of $81,113, 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 dental nurse are patients, oral surgery, and surgical procedures.

Certified dental assistant vs dental nurse overview

Certified Dental AssistantDental Nurse
Yearly salary$38,418$81,113
Hourly rate$18.47$39.00
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs102,31635,787
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 31%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Average age3838
Years of experience22

Certified dental assistant vs dental nurse salary

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

Certified Dental AssistantDental Nurse
Average salary$38,418$81,113
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $51,000Between $51,000 And $127,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between certified dental assistant and dental nurse education

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

Certified Dental AssistantDental Nurse
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 31%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Most common majorDental AssistingNursing
Most common college--

Certified dental assistant vs dental nurse demographics

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

Certified Dental AssistantDental Nurse
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 6.7% Female, 93.3%Male, 13.6% Female, 86.4%
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, 7.1% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 26.3% Asian, 10.1% White, 50.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between certified dental assistant and dental nurse 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.

Dental nurse example responsibilities.

  • Help dentist to manage dental and medical emergencies by maintaining CPR certification, emergency drug and oxygen supply.
  • Box 106387, Riyadh 11666 KSA
  • Communicate appropriately and sensitively with patients who may be fearful, vulnerable, have sensitive concerns or have special needs i.e.
  • Educate patients on oral/dental hygiene, project office interests.
  • Complete documents for state fund Medicaid programs, admission into community nursing and group home facilities and other community resources available.
  • Perform chartings and BPE records.
  • Show more

Certified dental assistant vs dental nurse skills

Common certified dental assistant skills
  • Patients, 26%
  • Dental Procedures, 9%
  • CPR, 8%
  • Chair Side, 6%
  • Patient Care, 4%
  • Treatment Rooms, 3%
Common dental nurse skills
  • Patients, 44%
  • Oral Surgery, 11%
  • Surgical Procedures, 11%
  • Dental Procedures, 7%
  • Dental Clinic, 6%
  • Vital Signs, 4%

Browse healthcare support jobs