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The differences between dental assistant/receptionists and dental assistant externs 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/receptionist and a dental assistant extern. Additionally, a dental assistant/receptionist has an average salary of $38,823, which is higher than the $38,679 average annual salary of a dental assistant extern.
The top three skills for a dental assistant/receptionist include patients, customer service and dental procedures. The most important skills for a dental assistant extern are patients, dental procedures, and patient care.
| Dental Assistant/Receptionist | Dental Assistant Extern | |
| Yearly salary | $38,823 | $38,679 |
| Hourly rate | $18.66 | $18.60 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 80,317 | 24,154 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 25% | Bachelor's Degree, 39% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A dental assistant/receptionist is responsible for managing dental appointments, including scheduling or canceling patients' dental sessions. Dental assistants/receptionists inform patients ahead of time if the dentist is out to reschedule another appointment. They also process payments, respond to customer's inquiries about dental services the clinic offers, updating patient information on the database, and creating a patient chart and visiting records for the dental staff's reference. A dental assistant/receptionist must have excellent communication and organization skills to assist patients efficiently and perform administrative tasks as needed.
Dental assistant externs are responsible for various office and laboratory tasks in a dentist's clinic or office. They may provide patient care, but the procedures they can perform vary by state. Their duties and responsibilities may include preparing patients for the dental examination, organizing and maintaining laboratory equipment and supplies, and scheduling appointments. Also, they are responsible for recording dental and medical histories of patients and providing aftercare, such as instructing patients on proper oral hygiene. Dental assistants may also perform other duties such as fluoride application and polishing.
Dental assistant/receptionists and dental assistant externs have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Dental Assistant/Receptionist | Dental Assistant Extern | |
| Average salary | $38,823 | $38,679 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $57,000 | Between $28,000 And $52,000 |
| Highest paying City | Minneapolis, MN | - |
| Highest paying state | Minnesota | - |
| Best paying company | Mount Sinai Health System | - |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | - |
There are a few differences between a dental assistant/receptionist and a dental assistant extern in terms of educational background:
| Dental Assistant/Receptionist | Dental Assistant Extern | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 25% | Bachelor's Degree, 39% |
| Most common major | Dental Assisting | Dental Assisting |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between dental assistant/receptionists' and dental assistant externs' demographics:
| Dental Assistant/Receptionist | Dental Assistant Extern | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 6.7% Female, 93.3% | Male, 26.1% Female, 73.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.2% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 24.8% Asian, 8.8% White, 52.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 7.5% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 23.7% Asian, 10.4% White, 52.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |