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Oral and maxillofacial surgery vs orthodontic assistant

The differences between oral and maxillofacial surgeries and orthodontic assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become an oral and maxillofacial surgery, becoming an orthodontic assistant takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an oral and maxillofacial surgery has an average salary of $228,805, which is higher than the $49,768 average annual salary of an orthodontic assistant.

The top three skills for an oral and maxillofacial surgery include DMD, private practice and dental implants. The most important skills for an orthodontic assistant are patients, HIPAA, and patient care.

Oral and maxillofacial surgery vs orthodontic assistant overview

Oral And Maxillofacial SurgeryOrthodontic Assistant
Yearly salary$228,805$49,768
Hourly rate$110.00$23.93
Growth rate6%8%
Number of jobs2,73755,933
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeDoctoral Degree, 32%Associate Degree, 23%
Average age4638
Years of experience62

Oral and maxillofacial surgery vs orthodontic assistant salary

Oral and maxillofacial surgeries and orthodontic assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Oral And Maxillofacial SurgeryOrthodontic Assistant
Average salary$228,805$49,768
Salary rangeBetween $136,000 And $384,000Between $25,000 And $96,000
Highest paying City-Los Angeles, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-LCMC Health
Best paying industry-Transportation

Differences between oral and maxillofacial surgery and orthodontic assistant education

There are a few differences between an oral and maxillofacial surgery and an orthodontic assistant in terms of educational background:

Oral And Maxillofacial SurgeryOrthodontic Assistant
Most common degreeDoctoral Degree, 32%Associate Degree, 23%
Most common majorDentistryDental Assisting
Most common collegeUniversity of Michigan - Ann Arbor-

Oral and maxillofacial surgery vs orthodontic assistant demographics

Here are the differences between oral and maxillofacial surgeries' and orthodontic assistants' demographics:

Oral And Maxillofacial SurgeryOrthodontic Assistant
Average age4638
Gender ratioMale, 67.6% Female, 32.4%Male, 8.4% Female, 91.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 2.3% Unknown, 3.0% Hispanic or Latino, 6.4% Asian, 18.6% White, 69.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 22.2% Asian, 7.9% White, 56.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage12%4%

Differences between oral and maxillofacial surgery and orthodontic assistant duties and responsibilities

Oral and maxillofacial surgery example responsibilities.

  • Prepare end of day financial statement - prepare bank deposit, print reports, perio charts, and next day schedule.
  • Investigate all unpaid dental or medical EOB's and submit necessary documentation to get claim paid.

Orthodontic assistant example responsibilities.

  • Assist in intravenous sedation, prepare syringes with proper medication, placement of EKG leads, record and monitor during procedures.
  • Monitor patients under iv sedation.
  • Deliver invisalign aligners and place attachments on patients.
  • Assist in orthodontics including taking pictures, panoramic and impressions for invisalign and traditional braces.
  • Remain up to date on CPR certification.
  • Review contracts, HIPAA regulations, and payment plans.
  • Show more

Oral and maxillofacial surgery vs orthodontic assistant skills

Common oral and maxillofacial surgery skills
  • DMD, 62%
  • Private Practice, 24%
  • Dental Implants, 14%
Common orthodontic assistant skills
  • Patients, 38%
  • HIPAA, 6%
  • Patient Care, 5%
  • Chair Side, 5%
  • Infection Control, 5%
  • OSHA, 3%

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