What is a dental assistant?

A dental assistant primarily helps staff members who work directly with patients. The support responsibilities of this role help the office run smoothly and make the dentist’s job easier. Some specific duties of a dental assistant may include:

• Checking in patients
• Scheduling appointments
• Preparing treatment areas
• Sterilizing dental tools
• Leading patients to treatment areas and getting them settled
• Taking dental X-rays
• Assisting the dentist during various procedures
• Discussing post-treatment procedures with patients
• Recording treatment details

The specific duties can vary depending on where your office is located. Each state may set certain requirements and restrictions on what a dental assistant can and can’t do. In some states, they may be able to apply fluoride, sealant and topical anesthetic, for example.

What is a dental hygienist?

Dental hygienists also play a support role, but they often provide patient care independently. They typically perform routine cleanings and check-ups on patients. As the first person who examines the patient’s mouth, they play an important role in detecting problems, such as cavities and oral diseases. Dental hygienist duties typically include:

• Cleaning teeth to remove plaque and tartar
• Taking X-rays
• Applying fluoride
• Educating patients on proper oral care
• Documenting treatments in the patient’s file
• Reporting potential dental problems to the dentist

Similarities between a dental assistant and a dental hygienist

While the roles of a dental hygienist vs. dental assistant are different, they also have some similarities. Both positions work within the same dental office environment and interact with patients to varying degrees. The frequent patient interaction means both roles need strong communication and customer service skills to perform well.

Depending on state regulations and a dental assistant’s qualifications, both roles may take X-rays of patients’ mouths and manage the information in patients’ files. The work hours are similar for both roles, although assistants might come in a little earlier to prep the office for patients.

Differences in dental assistant vs dental hygienist roles

Understanding how the roles of a dental hygienist vs. assistant differ can help you determine which position you need for your office. Explore the following differences to get a clearer idea of the roles they perform.

Educational requirements

Specific requirements vary by state, but dental hygienists typically need more education than dental assistants. In some states, dental assistants don’t need any formal education. Training takes place on the job.

However, some people take a short dental assistant course lasting about a year, even if it’s not required. Assistants may need to complete specific educational programs to handle certain tasks, such as doing X-rays. If they don’t complete the coursework, they may be limited to administrative tasks.

Dental hygienists must typically complete a formal dental hygiene program, which can take two to four years. The programs are often available at community colleges, technical schools and dental schools. They include a mix of classroom work, labs and clinical training.

Licensure

While some states require dental assistants to earn licensure before practicing, many allow people to serve in this role without a license. All states require dental hygienists to earn a license before practicing. Each state establishes its requirements to become licensed, which usually include a minimum of an associate’s degree and a written exam.

Pay

The pay also varies between the roles. Dental assistants average $22.18 per hour, while dental hygienists typically earn more than double that at $50.41 per hour, according to Indeed Salaries.

Scope of activities

Each role has a different scope and primary purpose, which affects the duties they can perform. Understanding these differences ensures you hire someone who can do the tasks you want them to complete.

The duties of dental assistants include a mix of patient care and administrative tasks with fewer patient care responsibilities than dental hygienists.

Interactions with patients

While both roles interact with patients, they typically provide different services to patients. Dental assistants take a supportive role, often working alongside hygienists or dentists instead of performing direct patient care themselves. Dental hygienists work one-on-one with patients to perform dental cleanings and apply sealants and fluoride.

The timing of patient interactions is also slightly different. Dental assistants often help patients at the beginning and end of their appointments. Depending on the type of treatment they receive, they may stay with the patient throughout the appointment.

Meanwhile, dental hygienists typically only see patients during their routine check-ups. Once they’re done with their part of the treatment, an assistant speaks with the patient, accepts their payment and schedules future appointments.

How to choose between a dental hygienist vs. assistant

When deciding between a dental hygienist vs. dental assistant, consider your specific situation and needs.

Factors to consider

Common factors that go into the decision to hire a dental assistant vs. dental hygienist include:

• Necessary duties: Determine where your dental office needs help and what types of duties you’ll assign to the new hire. This helps you identify which dental role can perform those duties based on state regulations.
• Volume of patients: Patient volume can affect whether you hire a dental hygienist vs. assistant. Assistants can help move patients through the check-in process faster and tackle administrative duties to keep a busy office running smoothly. Meanwhile, having more hygienists on staff means you can schedule additional patients for cleanings if your dentists can handle the increased workload.
• Budget: Look at your budget and the cost of hiring a dental hygienist vs. dental assistant to help you make a hiring decision that suits your budget.
• Expertise: Consider the level of expertise you want from your newest team member. Since hygienists must complete at least two years of school, they typically have knowledge of human anatomy, ethics, professionalism and medical terminology.

When to hire a dental assistant

You might decide to hire a dental assistant vs a dental hygienist in these situations:

• You want to improve the patient experience with more attention before and after appointments.
• You’re falling behind on paperwork and administrative tasks.
• You have more dentists than assistants and want to ensure every dentist has a dedicated assistant for procedures.
• You’re on a tight budget.

When to hire a dental hygienist

Situations where you might choose a dental hygienist vs. assistant include:

• Scheduling for patient check-ups is several months out, and you want to shorten that time.
• You want the advanced training of a hygienist vs. a dental assistant.
• Your budget allows for a higher pay rate.
• Your office has a good handle on administrative tasks but needs more help with patient care.

FAQs about a dental hygienist vs dental assistant

Does a dental office need both roles?

Many dental offices have both hygienists and assistants to manage patient care. Dental assistants may help dental hygienists and dentists with patient prep and care. If you have a small office, you might hire dental hygienists to carry out all the work. However, a dental assistant is not typically qualified to handle many of the typical tasks assigned to a hygienist, including cleaning teeth and checking for oral diseases.

How do you hire a dental assistant?

Before hiring a dental assistant, review your state’s education and licensing requirements to ensure the candidates meet those standards. If you’re starting a new dental practice, hiring an experienced dental assistant can reduce training time and allow you to serve your new patients well. Look for candidates who are organized and have interpersonal skills so they can handle both the administrative and patient care duties.

How do you hire a dental hygienist?

Create a detailed job description that includes the duties and perks of the job to attract candidates. Verify that each candidate has a valid license in good standing when hiring a dental hygienist. When interviewing candidates, look for a prospective employee with the technical skills you need and the people skills to help patients feel at ease.