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The differences between dental assistants 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 and an orthodontic assistant. Additionally, an orthodontic assistant has an average salary of $49,768, 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 an orthodontic assistant are patients, HIPAA, and patient care.
| Dental Assistant | Orthodontic Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $37,730 | $49,768 |
| Hourly rate | $18.14 | $23.93 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 69,835 | 55,933 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 23% | Associate Degree, 23% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| 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.
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 assistants and orthodontic assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Dental Assistant | Orthodontic Assistant | |
| Average salary | $37,730 | $49,768 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $50,000 | Between $25,000 And $96,000 |
| Highest paying City | Saint Paul, MN | Los Angeles, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | California |
| Best paying company | Alameda Health System | LCMC Health |
| Best paying industry | Government | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a dental assistant and an orthodontic assistant in terms of educational background:
| Dental Assistant | Orthodontic Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 23% | Associate Degree, 23% |
| Most common major | Dental Assisting | Dental Assisting |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between dental assistants' and orthodontic assistants' demographics:
| Dental Assistant | Orthodontic Assistant | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 11.5% Female, 88.5% | Male, 8.4% Female, 91.6% |
| 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, 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% |