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The differences between dental assistant externs and dental technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a dental assistant extern and a dental technician. Additionally, a dental technician has an average salary of $68,232, which is higher than the $38,679 average annual salary of a dental assistant extern.
The top three skills for a dental assistant extern include patients, dental procedures and patient care. The most important skills for a dental technician are patients, dentures, and dental care.
| Dental Assistant Extern | Dental Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $38,679 | $68,232 |
| Hourly rate | $18.60 | $32.80 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 24,154 | 45,536 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 39% | Associate Degree, 28% |
| Average age | 38 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
Dental assistant externs are responsible for various office and laboratory tasks in a dentist's clinic or office. They may provide patient care, but the procedures they can perform vary by state. Their duties and responsibilities may include preparing patients for the dental examination, organizing and maintaining laboratory equipment and supplies, and scheduling appointments. Also, they are responsible for recording dental and medical histories of patients and providing aftercare, such as instructing patients on proper oral hygiene. Dental assistants may also perform other duties such as fluoride application and polishing.
Dental Technicians manufacture dental prosthetics, such as crowns, bridges, and dentures in accordance with the dentist's specifications. They are also responsible for replacing, repairing, or modifying full or partial dentures.
Dental assistant externs and dental technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Dental Assistant Extern | Dental Technician | |
| Average salary | $38,679 | $68,232 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $52,000 | Between $40,000 And $115,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Columbia, MD |
| Highest paying state | - | Maryland |
| Best paying company | - | Private Practice |
| Best paying industry | - | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a dental assistant extern and a dental technician in terms of educational background:
| Dental Assistant Extern | Dental Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 39% | Associate Degree, 28% |
| Most common major | Dental Assisting | Dental Assisting |
| Most common college | - | University of Southern California |
Here are the differences between dental assistant externs' and dental technicians' demographics:
| Dental Assistant Extern | Dental Technician | |
| Average age | 38 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 26.1% Female, 73.9% | Male, 51.6% Female, 48.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.5% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 23.7% Asian, 10.4% White, 52.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 7.2% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 21.9% Asian, 9.5% White, 57.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 5% |