Perhaps the best possible way to answer this question is with another question.
Is there really a difference between a dentist and a dental hygienist?
This one is a no-brainer. Of course there is a difference. There is a difference in education, training, length of training, and the ability to practice more medical and surgical procedures. The same is true for a dental hygienist and a dental assistant.
To become a dental hygienist, you must undergo more training, more education, and take more time to complete your program than you do to become a dental assistant. This is in no way suggesting that a dental assistant is somehow less of a profession – it is not at all. Both are very valuable and necessary in a strong dental practice. But there are distinct differences between the two, and they both have different responsibilities within a dental practice or office.
A dental assistant’s program can be completed anywhere between nine months and two years; a dental hygienist will take at least three years before becoming licensed. There are also very different course requirements to complete the two programs. A dental hygienist program goes into greater depth of training, technique, and dental practice. The result is that a dental hygienist is able to more dental procedures than a dental assistant. A dental assistant will assist a dentist in an office; a dental hygienist can replace a dentist in some instances and procedures.
Dental assistants do a great deal of patient care in their work – taking histories as well as x-rays, communicating with patients before, during, and after care as well as providing comfort. They work on education and prevention with patients and generally assist a dentist in any capacity during a procedure. They also must earn a certificate in order to become a dental assistant.
A dental hygienist, on the other hand, does all of the jobs that a dental assistant does but can also do teeth cleaning among other more minor dental procedures. They also have the option to really specialize their training and area of expertise if they choose to. There are also more opportunities for education and professional advancement.
Therefore, dental hygienists have greater earning potential, have better benefits, and often have more professional opportunities as well as options. However, there is also more legal liability for dental hygienists and it is a far more competitive and stressful profession.
In the end, most people when they walk into a dentist’s office know who their dentist is; beyond that, they probably do not distinguish much between the other office staff. There is no offense taken in this despite the very big differences in job responsibilities.
However, there is a very big difference to the individuals who have a made a choice between one and the other. It is important for any individual who is considering a career as a dental hygienist or assistant that they really examine the differences and the pros and cons to both. That way, he or she can make an informed decision and hopefully set themselves down the right career path.
