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The differences between general dentists and dental hygienists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a general dentist has an average salary of $147,636, which is higher than the $88,432 average annual salary of a dental hygienist.
The top three skills for a general dentist include patients, patient care and treatment planning. The most important skills for a dental hygienist are patients, patient care, and CPR.
| General Dentist | Dental Hygienist | |
| Yearly salary | $147,636 | $88,432 |
| Hourly rate | $70.98 | $42.52 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 11% |
| Number of jobs | 48,612 | 24,234 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Doctoral Degree, 50% | Associate Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 46 | 42 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
The primary job of general dentists is to diagnose, treat, and manage patients' oral health care needs, including root canals, fillings, and gum care. They are considered as the main dental care providers for both children and adults. General dentists typically perform a few tasks, including performing regular dental examinations and teeth cleanings, ensuring patients receive an appropriate and timely treatment for their dental issues and performing cosmetic procedures such as teeth whitening and cosmetic bonding.
Dental hygienists are professionals who provide preventative oral care under a dentist's supervision. They are concerned mostly in treating minor oral health conditions. They clean teeth, examine any signs of damage and oral diseases and provide dental recommendations and after-care treatment. They educate patients with proper oral hygiene and counseling about how good nutrition impacts oral health. They also teach them ways to improve and maintain good oral health.
General dentists and dental hygienists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| General Dentist | Dental Hygienist | |
| Average salary | $147,636 | $88,432 |
| Salary range | Between $99,000 And $219,000 | Between $56,000 And $137,000 |
| Highest paying City | Haverhill, MA | Sacramento, CA |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | Berkshire | Bonita |
| Best paying industry | Professional | - |
There are a few differences between a general dentist and a dental hygienist in terms of educational background:
| General Dentist | Dental Hygienist | |
| Most common degree | Doctoral Degree, 50% | Associate Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Advanced Dentistry And Oral Sciences | Dental Assisting |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor |
Here are the differences between general dentists' and dental hygienists' demographics:
| General Dentist | Dental Hygienist | |
| Average age | 46 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 53.5% Female, 46.5% | Male, 6.9% Female, 93.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 2.9% Unknown, 3.2% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 23.4% White, 61.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 3.7% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 12.0% Asian, 6.3% White, 73.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 7% |