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The differences between dental technicians and dental nurses 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 technician and a dental nurse. Additionally, a dental nurse has an average salary of $81,113, which is higher than the $68,232 average annual salary of a dental technician.
The top three skills for a dental technician include patients, dentures and dental care. The most important skills for a dental nurse are patients, oral surgery, and surgical procedures.
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.
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 technicians and dental nurses have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Dental Technician | Dental Nurse | |
| Average salary | $68,232 | $81,113 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $115,000 | Between $51,000 And $127,000 |
| Highest paying City | Columbia, MD | - |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | - |
| Best paying company | Private Practice | - |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | - |
There are a few differences between a dental technician and a dental nurse in terms of educational background:
| Dental Technician | Dental Nurse | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 28% | Bachelor's Degree, 51% |
| Most common major | Dental Assisting | Nursing |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | - |
Here are the differences between dental technicians' and dental nurses' demographics:
| Dental Technician | Dental Nurse | |
| Average age | 44 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 51.6% Female, 48.4% | Male, 13.6% Female, 86.4% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 4% |