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The differences between dental assistant externs and 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 dental assistant extern and a registered dental assistant. Additionally, a dental assistant extern has an average salary of $38,679, which is higher than the $38,145 average annual salary of a registered dental assistant.
The top three skills for a dental assistant extern include patients, dental procedures and patient care. The most important skills for a registered dental assistant are patients, CPR, and RDA.
| Dental Assistant Extern | Registered Dental Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $38,679 | $38,145 |
| Hourly rate | $18.60 | $18.34 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 24,154 | 76,460 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 39% | Associate Degree, 33% |
| 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.
A registered dental assistant is responsible for assisting dentists in conducting dental procedures, performing basic dental operations, as well as administrative duties. Registered dental assistants advise the patients on their medications and practices to avoid dental complications, including regular dental checkups and cleaning. They also keep dental records of a patient for reference, sterilize dental tools and equipment, manage the regular maintenance of machines, and check the adequacy of dental supplies. A registered dental assistant must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially on updating information on the database, processing payments, and scheduling appointments.
Dental assistant externs and registered dental assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Dental Assistant Extern | Registered Dental Assistant | |
| Average salary | $38,679 | $38,145 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $52,000 | Between $28,000 And $51,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Arlington, MA |
| Highest paying state | - | Minnesota |
| Best paying company | - | Rady Children's Hospital And Health Center |
| Best paying industry | - | Government |
There are a few differences between a dental assistant extern and a registered dental assistant in terms of educational background:
| Dental Assistant Extern | Registered Dental Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 39% | Associate Degree, 33% |
| Most common major | Dental Assisting | Dental Assisting |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between dental assistant externs' and registered dental assistants' demographics:
| Dental Assistant Extern | Registered Dental Assistant | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 26.1% Female, 73.9% | Male, 9.0% Female, 91.0% |
| 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, 6.1% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 31.6% Asian, 9.0% White, 47.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |