Dentists usually work 35 to 40 hours each week; many dental hygienists work part-time. These are some of the major differences between dentists and dental hygienists, yet both are trained to provide great care for your teeth. While the dentist will perform the dental procedures, the dental hygienist might talk to you about how to better care for your teeth. Dental Hygienist. You can start with an UG degree in dental hygienist and decide later whether you want to attend dental school, and after become a dentist, you can later on go back to orthodontist school to learn how become a orthodontist. A dentist is the only one who is qualified to do procedures such as fillings, crowns, root canals, and other intrusive specialized treatment, whereas the role of a hygienist is more about general oral health and tooth care. The dentist and the dental hygienist usually work together but there are some key differences between them. They check out your mouth, clean your teeth, inspect your gums for gingivitis, wash away plaque, and work with you to develop better oral care. A dentist needs to do four years of Undergrad and four years of dental school, so a minimum of eight years of college to become a dentist. Dental office tension tends to come in two main varieties: dentist vs hygienist, and clinical vs administrative. All dental hygienists can become dentists by following the right education and gaining work experience. A dental hygienist works in hospitals, community dental setups and most frequently in general dental practice with a practising dentist. Difference Between an A.S. Both the dental assistant and dental hygienist are important positions within a dentist's office, and they have different responsibilities. This is one of the main reasons why prospective dental professionals choose to pursue a career as a hygienist—it is a much faster route to being able to work in the dental field and it is well paid. A dental hygienist works under the supervision of a licensed dentist and is the first dental worker to check out your teeth. Both require specialized training beyond the basic college coursework, with a doctor of dental surgery (D.D.S.) The median annual wage for dental hygienists was $74,820 as of May 2018, according to the BLS. Dentists usually earn two to three times as much money per hour as dental … Many people are unaware of the fact that their oral health is pretty much directly related to their overall health. According to BLS, top paying industries in insurance ($86,460), dentist offices ($81,400), and management ($77,040). What's the difference between a Dental Hygienist and a Dental Assistant? Dentist have a degree and then attend 4 years of dental school where as dental hygienist only need a two year associate degree in dental hygiene. It should also be noted that the word “hygienist” is only mentioned once in the AAP guidelines. I'm a 3rd year dental student. Both ideally work together in a dental clinic setup. At Carnegie Dental Group, we believe that your overall dental health is best managed by seeing different members of our dental team. Dental hygienists are usually part of a dentist's staff and in many states must work with a supervising dentist. In reality, the hygienist role tends to complement the role of the dentist, to help deliver quality treatment plans and provide support in the clinic. Patients can often assume that a dental hygienist and a dentist perform the same roles and that you can substitute one for the other. You may have noticed from previous trips to your dentist that two different people will likely treat you. Good news is, it can also be more easily managed than with other team members. The dentist will then do a thorough examination of any potential issues and treat them accordingly. Do any of these scenarios sound […] They went to dental school, which is essentially a medical school for the teeth and hygienist is not a doctor, so that’s the first off. On the other hand, a dental assistant is an assistant of sorts to the dentist. If you’re looking for a new dentist or have any dental questions contact Greenspoint Dental. A Dental Therapist is a registered primary healthcare professional who examines and treats the teeth of pre-school, primary and secondary school children, under the supervision of a dentist … Reasons to Become a Dental Assistant vs. Dental hygienist differ from oral health therapists in the following ways – Also read : 9 Specialist Dentists for Specific Dental Treatments; Key Role. Add Comment. What’s the difference between a Dental Therapist, Dental Hygienist and Oral Health Therapist? Posted in Articles, Dental Assistant, Dental Hygienist.. Are you trying to decide whether to pursue a career as a dental hygienist? Do you ever wonder why your Dentist refers you to a Dental Hygienist? There are so many types of oral health care professionals (dental hygienist, dental assistant, dentist and specialist, to name a few). The Role of the Dental Hygienist. Another major difference is the pay that dentists receive. Dental Hygienist. According to BLS, top paying industries in insurance ($86,460), dentist offices ($81,400), and management ($77,040). That, and as a dental hygienist, I believe I would be able to save up a lot of money over a couple of years to help pay off some of my student debt and not be completely broke when attending a dental or PA program. Dental Hygienist: Pros and Cons. Both have to pass exams to be licensed to work but a dentist’s must get a license specific to the state they are practicing dentistry in. The first person described in this situation is a dental hygienist. There are 29,246 dental hygienists registered in Canada. Dentists are able to provide more skilled treatment whereas dental hygienists provide more general teeth care. If you’re already a dental hygienist or a dentist, you may find yourself explaining to your friends, family and patients how one job is different from the other.If you’re considering a career in dentistry, you may not be certain which path to take. Well here are the differences to what your Dentist and Hygienist do, and their importance to your Dental Health.