Post job

Clerical dentist assistant vs medical assistant

The differences between clerical dentist assistants and medical assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a clerical dentist assistant, becoming a medical assistant takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a clerical dentist assistant has an average salary of $82,890, which is higher than the $34,900 average annual salary of a medical assistant.

The top three skills for a clerical dentist assistant include patients, chair side and appointment schedules. The most important skills for a medical assistant are patients, vital signs, and patient care.

Clerical dentist assistant vs medical assistant overview

Clerical Dentist AssistantMedical Assistant
Yearly salary$82,890$34,900
Hourly rate$39.85$16.78
Growth rate8%16%
Number of jobs18,920189,915
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 26%Associate Degree, 24%
Average age3837
Years of experience212

Clerical dentist assistant vs medical assistant salary

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

Clerical Dentist AssistantMedical Assistant
Average salary$82,890$34,900
Salary rangeBetween $45,000 And $149,000Between $27,000 And $43,000
Highest paying City-Vancouver, WA
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Columbia University in the City of New York
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between clerical dentist assistant and medical assistant education

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

Clerical Dentist AssistantMedical Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 26%Associate Degree, 24%
Most common majorDental AssistingMedical Assisting Services
Most common college--

Clerical dentist assistant vs medical assistant demographics

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

Clerical Dentist AssistantMedical Assistant
Average age3837
Gender ratioMale, 14.3% Female, 85.7%Male, 10.4% Female, 89.6%
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, 10.2% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 25.7% Asian, 8.8% White, 49.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage4%6%

Differences between clerical dentist assistant and medical 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

Medical assistant example responsibilities.

  • Create and maintain confidential patient files; implement EHR systems to automate patient records management for the purposes of meaningful use.
  • Adhere to OSHA guidelines while performing instrument sterilization in addition to managing medical inventory.
  • Participate in emergency surgical intervention in obstetrics and gynecology patients.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in taking patient history and vitals, venipuncture, injections, urinalysis and preparing examination trays.
  • Attend to new out patients in gynecology clinic, make clinical diagnosis and follow up.
  • Provide RMA support to physician, and patients, including but not limit to vitals and patient history.
  • Show more

Clerical dentist assistant vs medical 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 medical assistant skills
  • Patients, 20%
  • Vital Signs, 10%
  • Patient Care, 9%
  • Phlebotomy, 4%
  • CPR, 4%
  • EKG, 4%

Browse healthcare support jobs