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Dental assistant vs clerical dentist assistant

The differences between dental assistants and clerical dentist 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 and a clerical dentist assistant. Additionally, a clerical dentist assistant has an average salary of $82,890, which is higher than the $37,730 average annual salary of a dental assistant.

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

Dental assistant vs clerical dentist assistant overview

Dental AssistantClerical Dentist Assistant
Yearly salary$37,730$82,890
Hourly rate$18.14$39.85
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs69,83518,920
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 23%Bachelor's Degree, 26%
Average age3838
Years of experience22

Dental assistant vs clerical dentist assistant salary

Dental assistants and clerical dentist assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Dental AssistantClerical Dentist Assistant
Average salary$37,730$82,890
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $50,000Between $45,000 And $149,000
Highest paying CitySaint Paul, MN-
Highest paying stateAlaska-
Best paying companyAlameda Health System-
Best paying industryGovernment-

Differences between dental assistant and clerical dentist assistant education

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

Dental AssistantClerical Dentist Assistant
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 23%Bachelor's Degree, 26%
Most common majorDental AssistingDental Assisting
Most common college--

Dental assistant vs clerical dentist assistant demographics

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

Dental AssistantClerical Dentist Assistant
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 11.5% Female, 88.5%Male, 14.3% Female, 85.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.3% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 24.4% Asian, 9.1% White, 52.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black 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%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between dental assistant and clerical dentist assistant duties and responsibilities

Dental assistant example responsibilities.

  • Help dentist to manage dental and medical emergencies by maintaining CPR certification, emergency drug and oxygen supply.
  • Assist with Endo, implants and periodontal surgeries.
  • Implement MSDS record keeping and biological monitoring system logs.
  • Assist in clinical procedures (all specialties except orthodontics).
  • Maintain highest degree of patient confidentiality as per HIPPA law.
  • Sole dental assistant for small private practice using a variety of EFDA skills
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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 assistant vs clerical dentist assistant skills

Common dental assistant skills
  • Patients, 30%
  • Patient Care, 6%
  • CPR, 5%
  • Oral Care, 4%
  • Customer Service, 4%
  • Dental Procedures, 3%
Common clerical dentist assistant skills
  • Patients, 39%
  • Chair Side, 4%
  • Appointment Schedules, 4%
  • Vital Signs, 4%
  • Front Desk, 3%
  • Instrument Trays, 3%

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