Although you don’t have to have experience as a Dental Assistant to become a Dental Hygienist, it’s the perfect starting point. Whether becoming a hygienist is your end goal or something you are considering after working as a dental assistant—your experience will ease your transition. Let’s dive in and look at the difference between both career paths.
How Much School Is Required For Both Career Paths?
Each school program is unique, and each state’s requirements vary slightly. In Colorado:
Dental Assistants
There is no certification for dental assisting, but radiology training and certification are required. This is achieved by the successful completion of the national DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam or the national DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam. Most dental clinics prefer formal training, especially because job duties include infectious control but some offices are open to providing training.
Salary ranges between $15 and $29 per hour, averaging $21 per hour.
Dental Hygienists
Formal education is required, which takes between 2 and 3 years depending on the school curriculum. Once education is complete, hygienists must be licensed by the Colorado Dental Board. Having dental assistant training or work experience does not accelerate the education process. However, working as an assistant does provide an understanding of terminology, tools, and processes.
Salary ranges between $37 and $60 per hour, averaging $47 per hour.
How Do Job Duties Differ Between Dental Assistants and Hygienists?
While many patients aren’t clear on the difference between hygienists and assistants, their job duties are drastically different.
Dental Assistants
Dental assistants are often the first face a patient sees before the hygienist or dentist. Their job duties include:
- Ensuring patients are comfortable before and during their treatments.
- Patient intake, blood pressure, and pulse.
- Taking and developing x-rays.
- Completing dental pantographs.
- Providing patients with follow-up care instructions.
- Assisting the dentist and hygienist during treatments.
- Infection control and sterilization.
- Clerical and administrative tasks.
Expanded Duties Dental Assistant (EDDA)
With EDDA training dental assistants can also:
- Apply multiple techniques of Pit and Fissure Sealants.
- Apply fluoride.
- Place multiple methods of isolation techniques for restorative dentistry of Matrix Systems.
- Place, condense, carve, finish, and polish Amalgam and Composite Restorations.
- Trim and polish intermediate crowns and bridges.
- Place temporary crowns and bridges.
Dental Hygienists
Hygienists may see the patient before or after the dentist. Their job duties have little crossover with dental assistants, and include:
- Teeth cleaning, removing tartar, plaque, and stains.
- Applying sealants and fluoride.
- Taking and developing x-rays.
- Assessing oral health before the dentist arrives.
- Documenting personalized treatment plans.
- Educating patients on their oral health.
- Teeth whitening procedures.
Why Become a Dental Assistant Before Becoming a Hygienist?
If you already know you want to be a hygienist, you might be wondering what the benefit is to becoming a dental assistant first. Here are a few advantages you will gain:
Enter the industry sooner—at the American Institute of Dental Assisting, it only takes 13 weeks to complete training, 7 additional weeks with EDDA training. This allows you to get started in your new career field within the next few months.
Ensure it’s the right career fit—by becoming an assistant first, you obtain hands-on experience in a dental clinic. This will ensure that the industry is the right fit for you before you invest 2 or more years in your education.
Optimize your hiring potential—even if the dental practice you work in doesn’t have an opening for a new hygienist, your experience gives you a competitive advantage. It also provides referrals from the hygienist and dentist you currently work with.
Ready to Learn More About Becoming a Dental Assistant?
If you are ready to leave your current career and enter the dental field as a dental assistant, we invite you to reach out to the American Institute of Dental Assisting. We have convenient evening and weekend classes and provide hands-on experience in a live dental clinic.
Once you are ready, you can continue your education to become a hygienist.