Dental Assistant vs. Dental Hygienist: Differences & Comparison

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in four adults has untreated dental cavities in the United States. Almost half of the adults 30 years and older show signs of gum disease, which is considered alarming by institutions such as the World Health Organization (WHO). The increasing need for oral health professionals is noticeable, which is why many aspiring healthcare professionals decide to pursue careers in dentistry fields.

Dental assistant and dental hygienist are two professionals that sound similar, but, at the core, they are different from each other. Let’s take a look at statistics and official resources to determine the similarities and differences between dental assistant vs. dental hygienist. 

Dental Assistant vs. Dental Hygienist: Overview

According to the BLS, a dental assistant is a health care professional trained in basic dental assisting tasks. Dental assistants work alongside other dental professionals (mainly dentists) in dental offices. Although dental assistants are suited to provide support in dental treatments, entry-level dental assistants often collaborate in administrative tasks inside a dental office based on their responsibilities.

A dental hygienist is a licensed dental professional suited to provide preventive dental care and therapeutic dental treatments to patients. Although the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) has accredited over 300 dental hygiene programs, dental hygienists are not legally licensed to perform all dental-related tasks.Instead, dental hygienists work closely with dentists in a dental office or dental clinic by following a determined scope of responsibilities based on their job requirements and state laws. 

Are Dental Assistants and Dental Hygienists the Same?

No, dental assistants and dental hygienists are not the same things. The differences between the two professionals revolve around their scope of responsibilities and educational path. 

Dental assistants typically support dentists with basic patient care tasks, and they are not required to be licensed - completing dental assistant training programs is enough to become a dental assistant.

However, a registered dental hygienist has been trained and educated to perform more skilled clinical tasks in a dentist’s office or clinic, and they need to obtain an associate’s degree, which typically takes up to three years to obtain. 

Dental Assistant vs. Dental Hygienist: Tasks and Responsibilities

Dental assistants’ duties vary based on the requirements of the dentist's office and the state where they work. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, patient care and administrative duties are among the main responsibilities of dental assistants.

On the other hand, dental hygienists’ duties are more skill-based since they are certified to perform more intrusive procedures. Dental hygienists are also proficient with dental terminology to educate patients and support the dental team as required by their position.

This is an overview of the most common tasks and responsibilities of both professionals.

Dental Hygienist vs. Dental Assistant: Work Environment

The BLS shows statistics related to the work environment of dental assistants, and although they are pretty similar to dental hygienists' work environments, there are some punctual differences that we have to take into account.

These are the five most important statistics regarding the work environment of dental assistants:

1. There were over 358,600 jobs for dental assistants in 2021.
2. 91 percent of dental assistants work in offices of dentists, where scheduling appointments and assisting with basic dental tasks is what most dental assistants do.
3. Only 2 percent of dental assistants work in government facilities.
4. A small number of dental assistants (2%) work in the offices of physicians.
5. Most dental assistants work full-time. Some of them are required to work on holidays on weekends. 

When it comes to dental hygienists, these are the five most crucial points to have in mind:

1. There were over 214,000 jobs for dental hygienists in 2021.
2. An astonishing 94 percent of dental hygienists work in dentist’s offices.
3. 1 percent of dental hygienists work in government facilities.
4. Only 1 percent of dental hygienists work in physician offices.
5. Most dental hygienists work park time. Since most of them are directly hired by dentists, a dental hygienist can work for multiple dentists in the same week. 

Dental Hygienist vs. Dental Assistant: Skills and Qualities

In their Occupational Outlook Handbook for dental assistants, the BLS mentions the following as the most important skills and qualities in this profession:

1. Dental assistants should be good at working with their hands since many dental tools require dexterity and precision to use.
2. Dental assistants need to be detail-oriented in order to prevent errors. Following protocols is essential for any dental assistant or dental hygienist as well.
3. Interpersonal and listening skills are important since dental assistants deal with patients who are sensitive to pain or have a fear of dental treatments.
4. Dental assistants should also have excellent organizational skills to keep things in order inside the offices of dentists.

Dental hygienists should have the following skills, according to the BLS:

1. Critical thinking is a must for dental hygienists to successfully evaluate care plans for patients.
2. Communication skills are important to communicate successfully with both dentists and patients.
3. In order to successfully maintain oral health and prevent further dental issues, dental hygienists need excellent problem-solving and interpersonal skills.
4. Dexterity and coordination are required for dental hygienists to work with small tools and instruments.

Dental Assistant vs. Dental Hygienist: Education

The education requirements to become a dental assistant are different from the education requirements that dental hygienists have to go through.

Therefore, it’s important for all aspiring dental hygienists or assistants to get accurate information regarding the path to follow to become a healthcare professional in any of these fields.

How to Become a Dental Assistant

The BLS says that in order to become a dental assistant, students need to get a high school diploma and complete a dental assistant training program, which typically lasts one year.

Dental assistant programs are offered mainly in community colleges and vocational schools. Most states do not require entry-level dental assistants to be licensed. However, dental assistants who want to perform extended duties (such as coronal polishing) require certifications from the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB).

Clinical practice and hands-on training are very important. Dental practice programs are provided by the vocational school or community college that provides the program, but most times, dental assistants perform and learn about dental practice through on-the-job training.

How to Become a Dental Hygienist

To become a dental hygienist, it is necessary to acquire an associate degree or bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene. A dental hygienist associate degree or bachelor’s degree usually takes up to three years to complete, and they are offered in universities, technical schools, and community colleges.

Master’s degree programs in dental hygiene are available but uncommon. These programs include dental practices, courses about medical ethics, periodontics, and more.

Having a degree from an accredited training program in dental hygiene is necessary in all states.

This means that all dental hygienists must be licensed, and to maintain licensure, continued educational requirements might be needed. The BLS suggests contacting your state’s Board of Dental Examiners to get more details depending on this matter.

Dental Assistant vs. Dental Hygienist: Salary

Dental assistants have lower salaries than dental hygienists. The salaries of dental hygienists go in accordance with their licensing requirements and educational paths.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics has gathered crucial information regarding the salaries of both dental assistants and dental hygienists, and these are the most relevant facts that we should be aware of:

Top Paying States for Dental Assistants vs. Dental Hygienists

The salaries of dental assistants vary based on location and duties.

The following states have higher-than-average annual mean salaries for dental assistants:

1. Minnesota: $53,080.
2. Massachusetts: $51,210.
3. Alaska: $50,640.
4. New Hampshire: $49,470.
5. Oregon: $48,780.

The same rule applies to dental hygienists. The BLS demonstrates how dental hygienist salaries are different depending on the state they work.

These are the states with the higher dental hygienist salaries:

1. Alaska: $115,510.
2. California: $108,200.
3. Washington: $106,200.
4. Oregon: $94,420.
5. Nevada: $89,460.

Dental Assistant vs. Dental Hygienist: Job Outlook

Both career paths have promising futures ahead as the need for both dental assistants and dental hygienists continues to grow.

There are three important facts about the job outlook for dental assistants that shows us the importance of this profession:

1. The employment of dental assistants is projected to grow 8 percent over the course of 10 years (from 2021 to 2031).
2. 56,400 openings for dental assistants are projected each year from 2021 to 2031.
3. The projected employment for dental assistants in 2031 is 388,700, which represents a 30,100 increase if compared to employment numbers in 2021 (358,600).

Likewise, these are the most important statistics about the job outlook for dental hygienists to consider:

1. The employment of dental hygienists is projected to grow 9 percent over the course of a decade (from 2021 to 2031).
2. 16,300 openings for dental hygienists are projected each year from 2021 to 2031.
3. The projected employment for dental hygienists in 2031 is 233,100, which represents a 19,000 numeric increase if compared to employment numbers in 2021 (214,000).

Dental Hygienists vs. Dental Assistants: Differences and Similarities

Dental assistant and dental hygienist career paths are similar yet different from one another.

Whether you want to jumpstart your career and become a dental hygienist or dental assistant, it is important to have the main differences between these two professions in mind. To summarize, these are the most relevant similarities and differences between dental assistants and dental hygienists:

1. Both dental assistants and dental hygienists work under the direct supervision of licensed dentists. 
2. The great majority of both dental assistants and dental hygienists (over 90 percent) work in the offices of dentists.
3. It can take up to one year to become a dental assistant, whereas aspiring dental hygienists need three years of education to become licensed in the state they live in.
4. On average, dental assistants have a median annual wage of $38,660, whereas dental hygienists earn $77,810. This means that dental hygienists make 101.24 percent more money than dental assistants.
5. Although the employment of dental hygienists is expected to grow at a greater rate than dental assistants employment (9 percent vs. 8 percent), there are 40.29% more job openings for dental assistants (358,600 vs. 214,000).

FAQ

Do Dental Hygienists Earn More Than Dental Assistants?

Yes, on average, dental hygienists earn 101.24 percent more than dental assistants on median annual wages. If we take a look at the top 10 percent of dental assistants who earn $46,090 vs. the highest 10 percent of dental hygienists who earn $100,200, then the difference is 117.44 percent. 

Can a Dental Assistant Clean Teeth?

Dental assistants are generally not allowed to perform teeth cleaning. Legally, cleaning teeth fall into the scope of responsibilities of dentists and dental hygienists.