What Are the Differences Between a Dentist and a Dental Assi

If you're considering a career in dentistry, there are quite a few options available for you to choose from. There are Dentists, dental assistants, dental hygienists, and a number of specialists like orthodontists, periodontists and oral surgeons.

Here we'll discuss the differences between the two most recognizable positions in the field - Dentists and dental assistants, as well as what it takes to start a career in each.

Office Responsibilities
The dental assistant has a number of very important responsibilities in relation to patient care. Dental assistants are the only ones in the dental office who are completely involved in the patients care from beginning to end. Some common responsibilities would include: interviewing the patient to obtain information regarding any problems that they've been having; taking, developing and viewing x-rays to identify problems areas; sterilizing and preparing the instruments that will be used by the dentist during the exam and course of treatment; assisting the Dentist throughout the exam and any procedures; providing any necessary after care instructions and scheduling any necessary follow up appointments.

The Dentist is responsible for the actual treatment - they take into account all the information provided by the dental assistant, perform their full examination and determine what course of action would best suit the patient's situation. The dentist is responsible for performing the necessary course of treatment for the patient's problem - this could include: giving a local or general anesthetic, applying temporary or permanent caps, temporary of permanent fillings, removing teeth, whitening teeth, fixing broken or worn teeth and potentially even root canals and gum surgery.

Education and Training
This is where the biggest differentiation lies - in the amount of school and coursework required for each individual position. The training and education required to become a dental assistant is no doubt intensive, but the curriculum can often be completed within a year's time. A very good student in an accelerated program may be able to certify as a dental assistant and begin work in as little as nine months, but in general - it's nearly a year of hitting the books to be fully prepared.

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