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The differences between dental assistants and dentists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a dentist has an average salary of $147,415, 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 dentist are patients, diagnosis, and DDS.
| Dental Assistant | Dentist | |
| Yearly salary | $37,730 | $147,415 |
| Hourly rate | $18.14 | $70.87 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 69,835 | 8,570 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 23% | Bachelor's Degree, 46% |
| Average age | 38 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 2 | - |
Dental assistants provide patient care, have the ability to take x-rays, blood pressure readings, and help dentists perform treatments and procedures. They also keep patients' dental records, schedule appointments, prepare and maintain materials and equipment. They may conduct tests that are not much complicated and would not require the supervision of a dentist or dental surgeon. They also may administer and dispense medications to patients under the doctor's orders. Most dental assistants work in dentists' offices as full time in dental practice, but they can specialize and get employment in orthodontic or periodontist offices and other practices.
Dentists are physicians specializing in oral health. The main responsibilities of dentists are to diagnose oral diseases and treat them with the help of different equipment and technologies. They manage to provide several services like tooth repair, cavities removal, teeth whitening, fillings, crowns, bridges, and even surgical procedures. They also help promote oral care by participating in community outreach and awareness programs. Sometimes, they would also conduct lectures and seminars for preventive education.
Dental assistants and dentists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Dental Assistant | Dentist | |
| Average salary | $37,730 | $147,415 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $50,000 | Between $99,000 And $218,000 |
| Highest paying City | Saint Paul, MN | Lynn, MA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Alameda Health System | The Primary Health Network |
| Best paying industry | Government | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a dental assistant and a dentist in terms of educational background:
| Dental Assistant | Dentist | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 23% | Bachelor's Degree, 46% |
| Most common major | Dental Assisting | Advanced Dentistry And Oral Sciences |
| Most common college | - | University of Southern California |
Here are the differences between dental assistants' and dentists' demographics:
| Dental Assistant | Dentist | |
| Average age | 38 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 11.5% Female, 88.5% | Male, 45.5% Female, 54.5% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 3.1% Unknown, 3.2% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 22.0% White, 62.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 12% |