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The differences between dental nurses and 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 nurse and a dental assistant. Additionally, a dental nurse has an average salary of $81,113, which is higher than the $37,730 average annual salary of a dental assistant.
The top three skills for a dental nurse include patients, oral surgery and surgical procedures. The most important skills for a dental assistant are patients, patient care, and CPR.
A Dental Nurse assists dentists in carrying out different kinds of oral-care procedures. They look after patient records and make notes when the dentist is examining a patient.
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.
Dental nurses and dental assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Dental Nurse | Dental Assistant | |
| Average salary | $81,113 | $37,730 |
| Salary range | Between $51,000 And $127,000 | Between $28,000 And $50,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Saint Paul, MN |
| Highest paying state | - | Alaska |
| Best paying company | - | Alameda Health System |
| Best paying industry | - | Government |
There are a few differences between a dental nurse and a dental assistant in terms of educational background:
| Dental Nurse | Dental Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 51% | Associate Degree, 23% |
| Most common major | Nursing | Dental Assisting |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between dental nurses' and dental assistants' demographics:
| Dental Nurse | Dental Assistant | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 13.6% Female, 86.4% | Male, 11.5% Female, 88.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.1% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 26.3% Asian, 10.1% White, 50.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |