Dental Assistant vs. Dental Hygienist: What’s the Difference?

You don’t have to work in a hospital to have a career in healthcare. There are many great careers like Dental Assistant or Dental Hygienist that allow you to work in the healthcare field without stepping foot inside a hospital. 

Dental assistants and dental hygienists provide integral patient care, and dental offices could not function without them. 

But what is the difference between a dental assistant and a dental hygienist? Are these essentially the same role with a different title? The answer is no. While both of these healthcare professionals play an important role, they actually perform very different roles in a dental office. Let’s break it down…

‍Dental Assistants 

Dental assistants are one of the first people that patients interact with upon entering a dental office. They are often responsible for greeting and seating patients, preparing dental rooms, sterilizing dental tools and equipment, taking patient x-rays, assisting the dentist during some procedures, and walking patients through post-treatment care procedures. 

‍How do you become a dental assistant? 

How long it takes to become a dental assistant can vary. It depends on your state’s requirements and the preferences of individual dental practices. Some dental assistants are able to start with very little to no experience and receive on-the-job training, while others are required to complete a dental assistant program which can last anywhere from a few weeks up to 9 months. 

‍Dental Hygienists

Dental hygienists are different from dental assistants in that they are licensed professionals who specialize in the prevention and treatment of oral diseases. They are often the first members of the dental team to treat patients — providing preventative dental care such as tartar removal and cleaning to allow the dentist to focus on complex and specialized dental procedures. Specific duties of dental hygienists may include: evaluating oral health, interpreting dental x-rays, removing plaque, tartar and stains from patient teeth, providing oral health education and advice, creating tooth impressions, applying preventative materials, administering local anesthetic, and other duties as assigned by the dentist.  

‍How can you become a dental hygienist? 

In order to practice as a dental hygienist, you must obtain formal training and licensure. A high school diploma or equivalent will be required for admittance into a dental hygiene program. Requirements for licensure vary by state but in general, you will need to complete an accredited dental hygiene program which takes at least 2 years for full time study, though additional education may be required for dental hygienists who want to work in education, research, or public health. You will also be required to pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, and often complete a regional or state clinical board exam. 

‍Job outlook and salary data for dental assistants vs dental hygienists

Ongoing research which links oral health and general health is expected to increase the demand for preventative dental services. This will increase the demand for both dental hygienists and dental assistants in the coming years. 

Dental assistants make $44,820 per year on average according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Jobs for this occupation are expected to grow 7% (resulting in 25,700 additional jobs) through 2032, which is considered faster than average. 

Dental hygienists earn nearly 82% more than dental assistants, or $81,440 per year on average. Jobs for dental hygienists are also projected to grow 7% and result in 16,400 job openings each year throughout the next decade. 

‍Ready to advance your dental career? 

Achieve makes it possible to begin a dental hygiene program in a flexible, online environment. With Achieve, you choose class times that work with your schedule. Learn from live instructors in online courses. Earn credit for prerequisite courses in 5-8 weeks that will transfer to the local school of your choice, and get started on the education you need while you live your life.

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