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Clerical dentist assistant vs certified registered dental assistant

The differences between clerical dentist assistants and certified registered dental 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 a certified registered dental assistant. Additionally, a clerical dentist assistant has an average salary of $82,890, which is higher than the $38,723 average annual salary of a certified registered dental assistant.

The top three skills for a clerical dentist assistant include patients, chair side and appointment schedules. The most important skills for a certified registered dental assistant are patients, OSHA, and front desk.

Clerical dentist assistant vs certified registered dental assistant overview

Clerical Dentist AssistantCertified Registered Dental Assistant
Yearly salary$82,890$38,723
Hourly rate$39.85$18.62
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs18,92056,676
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 26%Associate Degree, 52%
Average age3838
Years of experience22

Clerical dentist assistant vs certified registered dental assistant salary

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

Clerical Dentist AssistantCertified Registered Dental Assistant
Average salary$82,890$38,723
Salary rangeBetween $45,000 And $149,000Between $28,000 And $52,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between clerical dentist assistant and certified registered dental assistant education

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

Clerical Dentist AssistantCertified Registered Dental Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 26%Associate Degree, 52%
Most common majorDental AssistingDental Assisting
Most common college--

Clerical dentist assistant vs certified registered dental assistant demographics

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

Clerical Dentist AssistantCertified Registered Dental Assistant
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 14.3% Female, 85.7%Male, 5.3% Female, 94.7%
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, 8.0% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 20.1% Asian, 7.2% White, 59.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between clerical dentist assistant and certified registered dental 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

Certified registered dental assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage surgery center infection control plan to meet OSHA, CDC and ADA standards.
  • Aid with full mouth restorations, implant crowns and dentures.
  • Prepare patients, sterilize and disinfect instruments.
  • 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 vs certified registered dental 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 certified registered dental assistant skills
  • Patients, 40%
  • OSHA, 8%
  • Front Desk, 6%
  • Dental Procedures, 6%
  • Vital Signs, 4%
  • Infection Control, 4%

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