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The differences between periodontists and dental hygienists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a periodontist has an average salary of $227,065, which is higher than the $88,432 average annual salary of a dental hygienist.
The top three skills for a periodontist include patients, dental care and soft tissue. The most important skills for a dental hygienist are patients, patient care, and CPR.
| Periodontist | Dental Hygienist | |
| Yearly salary | $227,065 | $88,432 |
| Hourly rate | $109.17 | $42.52 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 11% |
| Number of jobs | 26,145 | 24,234 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | 4 |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 40% | Associate Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 46 | 42 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
Periodontists must have a PhD in chemistry, biology, or another health-related field. They also need good interpersonal skills, manual dexterity, stamina, and problem-solving skills. Periodontists specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease, placing dental implants, and treating oral inflammation. They typically earn around $248K per year.
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.
Periodontists and dental hygienists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Periodontist | Dental Hygienist | |
| Average salary | $227,065 | $88,432 |
| Salary range | Between $133,000 And $385,000 | Between $56,000 And $137,000 |
| Highest paying City | Bellingham, WA | Sacramento, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | New England Cancer Specialists | Bonita |
| Best paying industry | Media | - |
There are a few differences between a periodontist and a dental hygienist in terms of educational background:
| Periodontist | Dental Hygienist | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 40% | Associate Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Dental Assisting | Dental Assisting |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor |
Here are the differences between periodontists' and dental hygienists' demographics:
| Periodontist | Dental Hygienist | |
| Average age | 46 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 21.2% Female, 78.8% | Male, 6.9% Female, 93.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 3.2% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 17.6% White, 66.8% 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% |