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Clerical dentist assistant vs dental officer

The differences between clerical dentist assistants and dental officers 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 dental officer. Additionally, a dental officer has an average salary of $88,980, which is higher than the $82,890 average annual salary of a clerical dentist assistant.

The top three skills for a clerical dentist assistant include patients, chair side and appointment schedules. The most important skills for a dental officer are patients, oral surgery, and dentures.

Clerical dentist assistant vs dental officer overview

Clerical Dentist AssistantDental Officer
Yearly salary$82,890$88,980
Hourly rate$39.85$42.78
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs18,92077,189
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 26%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age3838
Years of experience22

Clerical dentist assistant vs dental officer salary

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

Clerical Dentist AssistantDental Officer
Average salary$82,890$88,980
Salary rangeBetween $45,000 And $149,000Between $60,000 And $131,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between clerical dentist assistant and dental officer education

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

Clerical Dentist AssistantDental Officer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 26%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common majorDental AssistingAdvanced Dentistry And Oral Sciences
Most common college--

Clerical dentist assistant vs dental officer demographics

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

Clerical Dentist AssistantDental Officer
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 14.3% Female, 85.7%Male, 79.4% Female, 20.6%
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, 7.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 21.2% Asian, 10.2% White, 55.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between clerical dentist assistant and dental officer 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

Dental officer example responsibilities.

  • Provide comprehensive dental care for diverse patients
  • Admit patients and attend to their in-patient dental emergencies
  • 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 dental officer skills

Common clerical dentist assistant skills
  • Patients, 39%
  • Chair Side, 4%
  • Appointment Schedules, 4%
  • Vital Signs, 4%
  • Front Desk, 3%
  • Instrument Trays, 3%
Common dental officer skills
  • Patients, 39%
  • Oral Surgery, 13%
  • Dentures, 12%
  • Dental Program, 9%
  • Infection Control, 6%
  • Dental Services, 5%

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