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The differences between dental assistant externs and orthodontic 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 dental assistant extern and an orthodontic assistant. Additionally, an orthodontic assistant has an average salary of $49,768, 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 an orthodontic assistant are patients, HIPAA, and patient care.
| Dental Assistant Extern | Orthodontic Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $38,679 | $49,768 |
| Hourly rate | $18.60 | $23.93 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 24,154 | 55,933 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 39% | Associate Degree, 23% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| 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.
An Orthodontic Assistant works under the supervision of an orthodontist. They prepare the appointment rooms prior to patients visits, take the patients oral health history, assess patients through examining them, and determine their needs for orthodontic care.
Dental assistant externs and orthodontic assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Dental Assistant Extern | Orthodontic Assistant | |
| Average salary | $38,679 | $49,768 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $52,000 | Between $25,000 And $96,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Los Angeles, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | California |
| Best paying company | - | LCMC Health |
| Best paying industry | - | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a dental assistant extern and an orthodontic assistant in terms of educational background:
| Dental Assistant Extern | Orthodontic Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 39% | Associate Degree, 23% |
| Most common major | Dental Assisting | Dental Assisting |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between dental assistant externs' and orthodontic assistants' demographics:
| Dental Assistant Extern | Orthodontic Assistant | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 26.1% Female, 73.9% | Male, 8.4% Female, 91.6% |
| 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, 8.0% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 22.2% Asian, 7.9% White, 56.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |