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Dental assistant teacher vs dental technician

The differences between dental assistant teachers and dental technicians 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 teacher and a dental technician. Additionally, a dental technician has an average salary of $68,232, which is higher than the $39,097 average annual salary of a dental assistant teacher.

The top three skills for a dental assistant teacher include patients, treatment procedures and dental assistants. The most important skills for a dental technician are patients, dentures, and dental care.

Dental assistant teacher vs dental technician overview

Dental Assistant TeacherDental Technician
Yearly salary$39,097$68,232
Hourly rate$18.80$32.80
Growth rate8%2%
Number of jobs122,65045,536
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 27%Associate Degree, 28%
Average age3844
Years of experience22

What does a dental assistant teacher do?

A dental assistant teacher develops and implements training programs for students learning to become certified dental assistants. Besides teaching, they are also responsible for creating training plans, producing learning materials such as visual aids and presentations, arranging group or individual activities, monitoring the students' progress, and assisting them as necessary. They must also monitor and secure supplies, facilitate seminars, and solve issues when any arise. Moreover, a dental assistant teacher empowers students towards their goals and maintains a safe and productive training environment for everyone.

What does a dental technician do?

Dental Technicians manufacture dental prosthetics, such as crowns, bridges, and dentures in accordance with the dentist's specifications. They are also responsible for replacing, repairing, or modifying full or partial dentures.

Dental assistant teacher vs dental technician salary

Dental assistant teachers and dental technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Dental Assistant TeacherDental Technician
Average salary$39,097$68,232
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $53,000Between $40,000 And $115,000
Highest paying City-Columbia, MD
Highest paying state-Maryland
Best paying company-Private Practice
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between dental assistant teacher and dental technician education

There are a few differences between a dental assistant teacher and a dental technician in terms of educational background:

Dental Assistant TeacherDental Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 27%Associate Degree, 28%
Most common majorDental AssistingDental Assisting
Most common college-University of Southern California

Dental assistant teacher vs dental technician demographics

Here are the differences between dental assistant teachers' and dental technicians' demographics:

Dental Assistant TeacherDental Technician
Average age3844
Gender ratioMale, 19.1% Female, 80.9%Male, 51.6% Female, 48.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.1% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 23.2% Asian, 10.0% White, 54.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 7.2% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 21.9% Asian, 9.5% White, 57.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage4%5%

Differences between dental assistant teacher and dental technician duties and responsibilities

Dental assistant teacher example responsibilities.

  • Help dentist to manage dental and medical emergencies by maintaining CPR certification, emergency drug and oxygen supply.
  • Work with patients by assisting dentists and supporting hygiene students in restoration procedures along with several other dental procedures.
  • Provide direct customer service daily; greet and prepare patients for dental examinations, build charts, and document preliminary information.
  • Assist in oral surgery under local and twilight anesthesia in a private practice setting.Primary IV starter and administer anesthetics on command.
  • Obtain impressions for partial and permanent dentures.
  • Enter clinical notes, demographics, and insurance information utilizing Dentrix software.

Dental technician example responsibilities.

  • Utilize 3-D scanning and printing software and hardware to create zirconia dental appliances.
  • Take impressions and seat Invisalign aligners.
  • Wax and/ or finish implants and substructures.
  • Specialize in Invisalign but also apply braces when necessary.
  • Fit and finish of FMC and PFM crowns and frameworks.
  • Draft bridge superstructures, substructures and design precast concrete and structural steel bridges.
  • Show more

Dental assistant teacher vs dental technician skills

Common dental assistant teacher skills
  • Patients, 49%
  • Treatment Procedures, 14%
  • Dental Assistants, 10%
  • Oral Health, 10%
  • CPR, 4%
  • Radiology, 2%
Common dental technician skills
  • Patients, 38%
  • Dentures, 17%
  • Dental Care, 17%
  • Prosthetics, 12%
  • Dental Lab, 3%
  • Cad Cam, 2%

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