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Surgical dental assistant vs certified medical technician

The differences between surgical dental assistants and certified medical technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a surgical dental assistant, becoming a certified medical technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a surgical dental assistant has an average salary of $40,006, which is higher than the $38,859 average annual salary of a certified medical technician.

The top three skills for a surgical dental assistant include patients, vital signs and CPR. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.

Surgical dental assistant vs certified medical technician overview

Surgical Dental AssistantCertified Medical Technician
Yearly salary$40,006$38,859
Hourly rate$19.23$18.68
Growth rate8%5%
Number of jobs52,478164,424
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 32%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Average age3844
Years of experience212

Surgical dental assistant vs certified medical technician salary

Surgical dental assistants and certified medical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Surgical Dental AssistantCertified Medical Technician
Average salary$40,006$38,859
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $55,000Between $28,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City-Denton, TX
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Favorite Healthcare Staffing
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between surgical dental assistant and certified medical technician education

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

Surgical Dental AssistantCertified Medical Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 32%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common majorDental AssistingNursing
Most common college-University of Connecticut

Surgical dental assistant vs certified medical technician demographics

Here are the differences between surgical dental assistants' and certified medical technicians' demographics:

Surgical Dental AssistantCertified Medical Technician
Average age3844
Gender ratioMale, 8.7% Female, 91.3%Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 23.6% Asian, 7.4% White, 54.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 15.9% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 10.0% White, 53.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%8%

Differences between surgical dental assistant and certified medical technician duties and responsibilities

Surgical dental assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage medical records and document examination notes, prescriptions, and procedure details in EMR.
  • Train as an anesthesia technician and certify in CPR.
  • Assist dentist in prophylactic procedures: provide necessary tools, sterilize equipment, comfort patients.
  • Bill major insurance providers using ADA codes and process incoming payments from insure and non-insure patients and insurance providers.
  • Assist in oral surgery under local and twilight anesthesia in a private practice setting.Primary IV starter and administer anesthetics on command.
  • Place catheters and IVs for procedures.
  • Show more

Certified medical technician example responsibilities.

  • Maintain the cleanliness of storage areas, trays, centrifuges, refrigerators, freezers and work area.
  • Administer medications to patients according to their medication record as scheduled, as needed according to physician orders.
  • Perform laboratory test and procedures in areas including chemistry, hematology, urinalysis, coagulation, serology, and bacteriology.
  • Perform first aid and apply CPR when necessary.
  • Perform first aid or CPR during medical emergencies until paramedics arrive.
  • Assist the residents in their ADL needs and prepare their meals.
  • Show more

Surgical dental assistant vs certified medical technician skills

Common surgical dental assistant skills
  • Patients, 23%
  • Vital Signs, 11%
  • CPR, 9%
  • IV, 9%
  • Infection Control Procedures, 8%
  • Surgical Procedures, 6%
Common certified medical technician skills
  • Patients, 17%
  • Vital Signs, 12%
  • CPR, 8%
  • Administer Medications, 7%
  • Resident Care, 6%
  • HIPAA, 6%

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