Post job

Lead dental assistant vs certified registered dental assistant

The differences between lead dental assistants and certified registered 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 registered dental assistant. Additionally, a lead dental assistant has an average salary of $41,290, which is higher than the $38,723 average annual salary of a certified registered 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 registered dental assistant are patients, OSHA, and front desk.

Lead dental assistant vs certified registered dental assistant overview

Lead Dental AssistantCertified Registered Dental Assistant
Yearly salary$41,290$38,723
Hourly rate$19.85$18.62
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs31,58856,676
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 24%Associate Degree, 52%
Average age3838
Years of experience22

Lead dental assistant vs certified registered dental assistant salary

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

Lead Dental AssistantCertified Registered Dental Assistant
Average salary$41,290$38,723
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $57,000Between $28,000 And $52,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between lead dental assistant and certified registered dental assistant education

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

Lead Dental AssistantCertified Registered Dental Assistant
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 24%Associate Degree, 52%
Most common majorDental AssistingDental Assisting
Most common college--

Lead dental assistant vs certified registered dental assistant demographics

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

Lead Dental AssistantCertified Registered Dental Assistant
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 9.2% Female, 90.8%Male, 5.3% Female, 94.7%
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, 8.0% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 20.1% Asian, 7.2% White, 59.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between lead dental assistant and certified registered 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 registered dental assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage surgery center infection control plan to meet OSHA, CDC and ADA standards.
  • Aid with full mouth restorations, implant crowns and dentures.
  • Prepare patients, sterilize and disinfect instruments.
  • 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 registered 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 registered dental assistant skills
  • Patients, 40%
  • OSHA, 8%
  • Front Desk, 6%
  • Dental Procedures, 6%
  • Vital Signs, 4%
  • Infection Control, 4%

Browse healthcare support jobs