Nursing Trends
When comparing the salaries of nurses and dental assistants, it is important to consider the difference in education, specialization, and work environment. The advantages of working in a clean environment are obvious. They increase morale and productivity, as well as decrease absenteeism. However, the pay difference is much smaller for the former. The following sections will help you make an informed decision. What are the advantages of being a dental assistant?
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Education
Medical and dental assisting are similar professions, and both offer excellent employment opportunities. In addition to being valuable healthcare team members, these jobs also provide a lot of patient care. Before choosing which career path to choose, though, you should know the differences between the two. Additionally, you should know the state regulations regarding both professions. Here’s a look at what to expect from each. Become a skilled medical assistant!
Besides dentistry, dental assistants can specialize in a variety of areas. Some of the most popular fields include orthodontics, oral surgery, periodontics, prosthodontics, pediatric dentistry, and community dentistry. In addition, some employers hire assistants for dental school programs to teach students procedures. However, dental assistants are also paid less than dental nurses. If you’re looking to advance your career, you’ll need to find a job that allows you to earn a decent salary.
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Specialization
While both professions provide similar services, dental assistants can choose a specialty to focus their work on. Popular specialties include oral surgery, orthodontics, and periodontics. There is also community dentistry, which provides services to the entire community. Dental assistants can earn around $41,000 a year, which is significantly more than the average wage of $27,000. Dental assistant salaries will continue to grow in the coming years as the number of dental offices grows each year.
The duties of a dental assistant vary depending on their training and the type of facilities they work at. Some states have stricter licensing requirements for assistants than others. The DALE Foundation, the official affiliate of the Dental Assisting National Board, offers a licensing search engine to help people find the right license for them. You can also find employment opportunities through dental manufacturing and public health facilities. Lastly, dental assistants are also employed by the armed forces.
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Work environment
When comparing the work environment of a dental assistant to that of a nurse, the assistant’s role will likely be the most appealing. While nurses work in a more sterile environment, dental assistants are required to wear protective clothing and follow safety procedures. In addition, both positions will require you to wear safety glasses and surgical masks. While working as a dental assistant, you can expect to see some patient-related blood and bodily fluids on the job.
However, dental assistants are exposed to infectious diseases. They may contract flu and other diseases as they work close to the mouths of patients. In addition, exposure to x-rays may damage human reproductive cells and change DNA, increasing the risk of developing cancer. Dental assistants must also be able to communicate effectively with different personalities and cultures. This makes them valuable members of the team. Despite this, the benefits of working in a dental office outweigh the negatives.
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Job duties
A dental assistant has a variety of duties in addition to their salary. They help dentists by assisting during office exams, sterilizing instruments, obtaining patient records, and billing patients. They may also assist with office administration, such as ordering supplies. While these jobs require slightly different training, both allow assistants to have patient contact. Below are some differences between these two positions. Find out which one is right for you by reading on.
One difference between the two is the scope of practice. Medical aides typically have a limited scope of practice, while nurses can perform a wide range of duties. For example, in Montana, a certified medical assistant can administer IV medications with active supervision. In some states, medical aides can also perform other supportive duties. These roles are dependent on the state’s regulations. If you have the proper training, though, dental assistants can also perform some nurse-like duties.
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Emotional investment
When it comes to starting a career, choosing a dental assistant or a nurse may seem overwhelming, but both are highly rewarding. Whether you decide to become a nurse or a dental assistant, it’s important to think carefully about the job’s emotional investment before making your decision. In the end, whichever path you decide on will allow you to enjoy working with patients while earning a good salary.
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Day-to-day
There are some key differences between the salaries of a dental assistant and a registered nurse. The two roles require very different skill sets and can require shift work, weekends, evenings, and holidays. This means that a dental assistant may not be a good choice for someone who dislikes being told what to do. However, a dental assistant does have many more perks than a registered nurse.
The primary differences between these two professions lie in their work environments and the hours they typically work. While nursing involves a lot of hands-on care, dental hygiene is more systematic. Dental hygiene technicians welcome patients, clean, and care for their patients. They typically see one patient per hour, although they may work as many as eight in one day. Nursing has a much higher starting salary and a higher rate of advancement, but dental assisting is a more demanding and emotionally draining profession.
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Job outlook
Regardless of your preference, dental assisting is one career that will never go out of style. The demand for dental assistants is expected to grow at a faster rate than the average, and the number of positions is projected to increase by 11% by 2028. This is well above the national average job growth rate of 5%. And, with the aging population, there is likely to be an even higher need for dental assistants.
One major advantage to becoming a dental assistant is the flexibility of the hours. Most assistants work between thirty-five and forty-five hours per week. That said, many dental offices schedule appointments in the evenings or on the weekends to accommodate working patients. While dental assistants do not have the flexibility of working during the night, this can be a benefit for some people. Furthermore, dental assistants may work more weekends and have the option to work fewer hours.
Salary for nurses and dental hygienists
Despite the similarities between a dental hygienist and registered nurse salaries, there are some significant differences between the two occupations. Although both roles are equally rewarding, the duties and education required for each are vastly different. If you are thinking about pursuing a career in this field, it’s a good idea to understand what sets each apart. If you have the training and are interested in dental care, both are excellent choices.
A typical RN makes about $65,310 per year, while an average dental hygienist earns about $56,900. However, both occupations have room for growth. Registered nurses in the top 10 percent earn more than $104,100 per year. Registered nurses earn more in hospitals than in doctors’ offices, which translates into a higher salary for them. In the U.S., the average annual salary for an RN is $73,550.
Unlike nurses, dental assistants perform limited clinical duties under the direction of a dentist. Some of their responsibilities may include holding suction devices and passing tools to the dentist when he or she needs them. They may also be responsible for scheduling appointments. In addition to dental care, dental assistants often perform administrative duties like maintaining medical records, billing, and insurance coding. If you are considering a career in dental care, it’s important to understand the differences between these two professions and the potential salary they offer.
