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The differences between dental assistants and licensed practical nurses 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 licensed practical nurse. Additionally, a licensed practical nurse has an average salary of $52,912, 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 licensed practical nurse are patients, CPR, and home health.
| Dental Assistant | Licensed Practical Nurse | |
| Yearly salary | $37,730 | $52,912 |
| Hourly rate | $18.14 | $25.44 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 69,835 | 614,369 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3.33 |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 23% | Associate Degree, 33% |
| Average age | 38 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 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.
Licensed practical nurses are considered leading front liners in the clinic or hospital setting. They assist nurses and doctors in conducting various activities related to sick or injured patients. Licensed practical nurses are primarily expected to provide routine care for patients and assist registered nurses in creating care plans. They maintain and update medical records, prepare patients for medical examinations, help patients dress, bath, or eat, take vital signs, administer and monitor medicine intake, monitor patients and update nurses and doctors on patient status, and assist during medical examinations.
Dental assistants and licensed practical nurses have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Dental Assistant | Licensed Practical Nurse | |
| Average salary | $37,730 | $52,912 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $50,000 | Between $37,000 And $74,000 |
| Highest paying City | Saint Paul, MN | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Alameda Health System | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Government | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a dental assistant and a licensed practical nurse in terms of educational background:
| Dental Assistant | Licensed Practical Nurse | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 23% | Associate Degree, 33% |
| Most common major | Dental Assisting | Nursing |
| Most common college | - | Emory University |
Here are the differences between dental assistants' and licensed practical nurses' demographics:
| Dental Assistant | Licensed Practical Nurse | |
| Average age | 38 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 11.5% Female, 88.5% | Male, 11.3% Female, 88.7% |
| 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, 12.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 6.5% White, 59.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 7% |