Dental surgeon vs plastic surgeon

The differences between dental surgeons and plastic surgeons can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a dental surgeon and a plastic surgeon. Additionally, a dental surgeon has an average salary of $279,537, which is higher than the $172,467 average annual salary of a plastic surgeon.

The top three skills for a dental surgeon include patients, diagnosis and dental clinic. The most important skills for a plastic surgeon are patients, patient care, and hand surgery.

Dental surgeon vs plastic surgeon overview

	Dental Surgeon	Plastic Surgeon
Yearly salary	$279,537	$172,467
Hourly rate	$134.39	$82.92
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	32,596	3,906
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 79%	Bachelor's Degree, 34%
Average age	49	49
Years of experience	6	6

What does a dental surgeon do?

A Dental Surgeon performs surgery on various parts of the head, neck, and mouth. They perform repairs on injuries due to facial trauma, reconstruction to correct birth defects, and treatment of various diseases.

What does a plastic surgeon do?

Plastic surgeons must have skills in hand-eye coordination, spatial awareness, organization, communication, and teamwork. This career also requires a bachelor's degree in a premedical major and completion of a four-year M.D. and a surgical residency. Those who choose this career path perform reconstructive plastic surgery in order to restore form and function following illness or trauma and/or perform cosmetic surgery for simple alteration of appearance.

Dental surgeon vs plastic surgeon salary

Dental surgeons and plastic surgeons have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Dental Surgeon	Plastic Surgeon
Average salary	$279,537	$172,467
Salary range	Between $150,000 And $517,000	Between $87,000 And $339,000
Highest paying City	-	Rockville Centre, NY
Highest paying state	-	Maine
Best paying company	-	MaineGeneral Health
Best paying industry	-	Professional

Differences between dental surgeon and plastic surgeon education

There are a few differences between a dental surgeon and a plastic surgeon in terms of educational background:

	Dental Surgeon	Plastic Surgeon
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 79%	Bachelor's Degree, 34%
Most common major	Advanced Dentistry And Oral Sciences	Nursing
Most common college	University of Southern California	Case Western Reserve University

Dental surgeon vs plastic surgeon demographics

Here are the differences between dental surgeons' and plastic surgeons' demographics:

	Dental Surgeon	Plastic Surgeon
Average age	49	49
Gender ratio	Male, 39.5% Female, 60.5%	Male, 23.6% Female, 76.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 1.8% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 5.0% Asian, 12.7% White, 76.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%	Black or African American, 1.8% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 5.0% Asian, 12.7% White, 76.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage	12%	12%

Differences between dental surgeon and plastic surgeon duties and responsibilities

Dental surgeon example responsibilities.

Manage early and moderate periodontal disease, evaluate the results of periodontal treatment and establish maintenance program.
Work collaboratively with other professionals to create effective treatment for the patients.
Research on tobacco induce oral cancers and diagnose and perform surgical treatments on oral cancer patients.
General dentistry focuse on restorative, minor surgeries and open method extractions, removable prosthetics, endodontics, non-surgical periodontics
Review A/R report & outstanding claim for follow up with office manager at EOM.

Plastic surgeon example responsibilities.

Manage insurance authorization and hospital bookings for surgery.
Develop x-rays, foot and ankle therapies, including hydrotherapy, ultrasound and hot wax.
Assist with surgery scheduling, casting/removing, & casting for orthotics.
Check patient in/out, collect co-payments/deductibles that apply for orthotics, enter charges/post payments.
Perform administrative tasks regarding origination paperwork for patients, preoperative paperwork, medical clearance, financing and payment.
Complete knowledge of military and DOD protocols pertaining to network and computer systems.

Dental surgeon vs plastic surgeon skills

Common dental surgeon skills

Patients, 33%
Diagnosis, 10%
Dental Clinic, 9%
Surgical Extractions, 5%
Oral Surgery, 5%
Surgical Procedures, 4%

Common plastic surgeon skills

Patients, 55%
Patient Care, 9%
Hand Surgery, 6%
Private Practice, 6%
Medical Procedures, 5%
Surgical Procedures, 4%

Dental Surgeon vs. similar jobs

Dental Surgeon related careers

Dental Surgeon related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Healthcare Practitioner and Technical Industry
Dental Surgeon
Dental Surgeon vs Plastic Surgeon

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse healthcare practitioner and technical jobs