What is the difference between a dental asitant and a hygienist?

Question

Who gets paid more?

Answer 1

Dental hygienist has about 2 years of college for the degree and certification and cleans patients teeth. A dental assistant has a much shorter certification program and sometimes can even be trained by a dentist. They generally assist dentist while he is working on teeth and can take x-rays. You may need to check your own states requirements.
Hygienists make about 2 to 3 times what an assistant would make but often only work part time.

Answer 2

A dental hygienist is a licensed dental professional who specializes in preventive care. Most hygienists are licensed to administer local anesthesia, depending on the applicable regulations in their area. Cleanings, radiographs, sealants, scalings, and root planings are among some of the procedures frequently performed by a hygienist. In most states, hygienists work for a dentist, however in some locations, hygienists are allowed to practice without a dentist's supervision. The average hourly wage for hygienists in 2002 in the US was $26 per hour.

Any of a variety of other dental professions, such as "Dental assistant", someone who works in a dentist's office, but may not be a licensed medical worker

Answer 3

Creedcia was correct. A hygienist has to be lickensed in the state he or she works in. The same board that issues dentists their lic. is the one that issues our license. I have a four year degree, a BS, and am licensed to give infiltration anesthesia and nitrous oxide. On the other hand assistants do not have to be licensed in their state, but are certified. I have to Carry liability insurance as does the dentist as we give more in-depth services to patients. Thus our liability increases. Assistants are just that, they assist with all kinds of things. I have an assistant that helps me with my patients, as our doctor has an assistant. They represent part of the dental team as much as the doctor and the hygienist.

Answer 4

Hygenist are in demand in large metropolitan areas. Hygenists can collect Up to $400 per day. Making their pay $50 per hour, often more than newly graduated dentists.

Assistants are different, since they are as good as their work. Some are not trainable, some remember every single little detail about every patient they meet, making them more valuable. Assistants are paid by their performance. On occasion, I tell her to bookan appointment for patient A for 1 hour, next thing I know whe has collected the fee upfront, and booked an additional family member or two.

Answer 5

Dental Hygienist get paid more. They actually clean the patients teeth adn educate them. On average D.H earn a median salary of $71,461.00. This will vary depending on the area you work in.

Answer 6

asst's do menial work. front and back office, teeth cleaning and whitening. packing and some lab work. Hygienists do more in depth (oral) work. repairing crowns, making molds, etc. asst's are usually P/T depending on where you get hired. Hyg are P/T usually too but get paid more per hour than asst's. It's not uncommon for both of these people to P/T at multiple dentists offices.

Answer 7

to make it simple, your hygienist is the one who cleans your teeth. the dental assistant is the one who assists the dentist when he/she is filling cavities, etc. the hygienist generally makes more.