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The differences between dental assistants 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 and a registered dental assistant. Additionally, a registered dental assistant has an average salary of $38,145, 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 registered dental assistant are patients, CPR, and RDA.
| Dental Assistant | Registered Dental Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $37,730 | $38,145 |
| Hourly rate | $18.14 | $18.34 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 69,835 | 76,460 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 23% | Associate Degree, 33% |
| 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.
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 assistants and registered dental assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Dental Assistant | Registered Dental Assistant | |
| Average salary | $37,730 | $38,145 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $50,000 | Between $28,000 And $51,000 |
| Highest paying City | Saint Paul, MN | Arlington, MA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Minnesota |
| Best paying company | Alameda Health System | Rady Children's Hospital And Health Center |
| Best paying industry | Government | Government |
There are a few differences between a dental assistant and a registered dental assistant in terms of educational background:
| Dental Assistant | Registered Dental Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 23% | Associate Degree, 33% |
| Most common major | Dental Assisting | Dental Assisting |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between dental assistants' and registered dental assistants' demographics:
| Dental Assistant | Registered Dental Assistant | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 11.5% Female, 88.5% | Male, 9.0% Female, 91.0% |
| 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, 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% |