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Lead dental assistant vs clerical dentist assistant

The differences between lead dental assistants and clerical dentist 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 clerical dentist assistant. Additionally, a clerical dentist assistant has an average salary of $82,890, which is higher than the $41,290 average annual salary of a lead dental assistant.

The top three skills for a lead dental assistant include patients, infection control and patient care. The most important skills for a clerical dentist assistant are patients, chair side, and appointment schedules.

Lead dental assistant vs clerical dentist assistant overview

Lead Dental AssistantClerical Dentist Assistant
Yearly salary$41,290$82,890
Hourly rate$19.85$39.85
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs31,58818,920
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 24%Bachelor's Degree, 26%
Average age3838
Years of experience22

Lead dental assistant vs clerical dentist assistant salary

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

Lead Dental AssistantClerical Dentist Assistant
Average salary$41,290$82,890
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $57,000Between $45,000 And $149,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between lead dental assistant and clerical dentist assistant education

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

Lead Dental AssistantClerical Dentist Assistant
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 24%Bachelor's Degree, 26%
Most common majorDental AssistingDental Assisting
Most common college--

Lead dental assistant vs clerical dentist assistant demographics

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

Lead Dental AssistantClerical Dentist Assistant
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 9.2% Female, 90.8%Male, 14.3% Female, 85.7%
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, 7.0% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 26.0% Asian, 9.9% White, 51.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between lead dental assistant and clerical dentist 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

Clerical dentist assistant example responsibilities.

  • Help dentist to manage dental and medical emergencies by maintaining CPR certification, emergency drug and oxygen supply.
  • Enter and chart patient information using Dentrix.
  • Assist Dr. during surgery with tray setups, composites, crown and bridges, partials and dentures.
  • Assist with composite/amalgam restoration, crown & bridge preps/seats, endo, extractions, implants, and general anesthesia.
  • Communicate with patients and insurance companies to schedule appointments and verify benefits and eligibility.
  • Prepare patients for examination, and properly arrange examining rooms with the necessary equipment for procedures.
  • Show more

Lead dental assistant vs clerical dentist assistant skills

Common lead dental assistant skills
  • Patients, 25%
  • Infection Control, 7%
  • Patient Care, 5%
  • OSHA, 5%
  • Dental Procedures, 4%
  • CPR, 4%
Common clerical dentist assistant skills
  • Patients, 39%
  • Chair Side, 4%
  • Appointment Schedules, 4%
  • Vital Signs, 4%
  • Front Desk, 3%
  • Instrument Trays, 3%

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