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Clerical dentist assistant vs assistant

The differences between clerical dentist assistants and 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 clerical dentist assistant and an assistant. Additionally, a clerical dentist assistant has an average salary of $82,890, which is higher than the $37,363 average annual salary of an assistant.

The top three skills for a clerical dentist assistant include patients, chair side and appointment schedules. The most important skills for an assistant are patients, customer service, and patient care.

Clerical dentist assistant vs assistant overview

Clerical Dentist AssistantAssistant
Yearly salary$82,890$37,363
Hourly rate$39.85$17.96
Growth rate8%-8%
Number of jobs18,920557,900
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 26%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age3850
Years of experience22

Clerical dentist assistant vs assistant salary

Clerical dentist assistants and assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Clerical Dentist AssistantAssistant
Average salary$82,890$37,363
Salary rangeBetween $45,000 And $149,000Between $16,000 And $82,000
Highest paying City-Boston, MA
Highest paying state-Massachusetts
Best paying company-Latham & Watkins
Best paying industry-Education

Differences between clerical dentist assistant and assistant education

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

Clerical Dentist AssistantAssistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 26%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common majorDental AssistingBusiness
Most common college-Western Carolina University

Clerical dentist assistant vs assistant demographics

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

Clerical Dentist AssistantAssistant
Average age3850
Gender ratioMale, 14.3% Female, 85.7%Male, 40.7% Female, 59.3%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 3.8% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage4%6%

Differences between clerical dentist assistant and assistant duties and responsibilities

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

Assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage circulations, including educational textbooks and DVDS, video technology and supplies.
  • Manage branches providing information technology support, logistics, training and operational support.
  • Manage company's twitter account and communicate with multiple physical therapy providers around the country
  • Optimize productivity in prioritizing and managing special projects, PowerPoint presentations for classes, and proctore exams for undergraduate classes.
  • Assist in jewelry design and assembly, manage company Facebook page, participate in wholesale buying, and manage retail inventory
  • Manage and update company Facebook page with daily updates, finding/sharing relevant and interesting information, and encouraging fan engagement.
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Clerical dentist assistant vs assistant skills

Common clerical dentist assistant skills
  • Patients, 39%
  • Chair Side, 4%
  • Appointment Schedules, 4%
  • Vital Signs, 4%
  • Front Desk, 3%
  • Instrument Trays, 3%
Common assistant skills
  • Patients, 27%
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • Patient Care, 8%
  • CPR, 5%
  • Sales Floor, 5%
  • Scheduling Appointments, 3%

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