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Lead dental assistant vs certified dental assistant

The differences between lead dental assistants and certified 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 lead dental assistant and a certified dental assistant. Additionally, a lead dental assistant has an average salary of $41,290, which is higher than the $38,418 average annual salary of a certified dental assistant.

The top three skills for a lead dental assistant include patients, infection control and patient care. The most important skills for a certified dental assistant are patients, dental procedures, and CPR.

Lead dental assistant vs certified dental assistant overview

Lead Dental AssistantCertified Dental Assistant
Yearly salary$41,290$38,418
Hourly rate$19.85$18.47
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs31,588102,316
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 24%Associate Degree, 31%
Average age3838
Years of experience22

Lead dental assistant vs certified dental assistant salary

Lead dental assistants and certified dental assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Lead Dental AssistantCertified Dental Assistant
Average salary$41,290$38,418
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $57,000Between $28,000 And $51,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between lead dental assistant and certified dental assistant education

There are a few differences between a lead dental assistant and a certified dental assistant in terms of educational background:

Lead Dental AssistantCertified Dental Assistant
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 24%Associate Degree, 31%
Most common majorDental AssistingDental Assisting
Most common college--

Lead dental assistant vs certified dental assistant demographics

Here are the differences between lead dental assistants' and certified dental assistants' demographics:

Lead Dental AssistantCertified Dental Assistant
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 9.2% Female, 90.8%Male, 6.7% Female, 93.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 24.7% Asian, 8.0% White, 52.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 21.5% Asian, 7.8% White, 56.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between lead dental assistant and certified dental assistant duties and responsibilities

Lead dental assistant example responsibilities.

  • Provide oral care instruction to patients according to surgery or alternate dental procedures.
  • Provide exceptional oral hygiene care under supervision to a variety of patients in addition to assign clerical duties.
  • Certify as an instructor for CPR.
  • Demonstrate compliance in coordinating CPR training for staff.
  • Maintain dental records in accordance with HIPPA policy.
  • Enter patient information into computer system (PBS ENDO).
  • Show more

Certified dental assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage surgery center infection control plan to meet OSHA, CDC and ADA standards.
  • Provide excellent customer service to dental patients and represent the organization at trade shows and presentations.
  • Reconcile payments, verify insurance benefits, schedule appointments and present patients with necessary treatment plans.
  • Assist in oral surgery under local and twilight anesthesia in a private practice setting.Primary IV starter and administer anesthetics on command.
  • Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation and operate resuscitation equipment.

Lead dental assistant vs certified dental assistant skills

Common lead dental assistant skills
  • Patients, 25%
  • Infection Control, 7%
  • Patient Care, 5%
  • OSHA, 5%
  • Dental Procedures, 4%
  • CPR, 4%
Common certified dental assistant skills
  • Patients, 26%
  • Dental Procedures, 9%
  • CPR, 8%
  • Chair Side, 6%
  • Patient Care, 4%
  • Treatment Rooms, 3%

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