Medical Assistant vs. Dental Assistant
Learn the Differences in Duties, Responsibilities, Schooling, Requirements, Certifications, Salary, and Job Outlook
Medical Assisting can provide you with a great entry point into the healthcare industry. Medical Assistants (MAs) are healthcare professionals who support physicians, physicians’ assistants, and other healthcare professionals in a variety of clinical settings. They are integral members of almost every medical team.
In the field of oral healthcare, Dental Assistants (DAs) also fill a vital role. They provide dentists with a support system and complete many tasks, including patient care, recordkeeping, and appointment scheduling.
If you’re interested in becoming a Medical Assistant or Dental Assistant but need more information about either career, continue reading to learn about the duties, requirements, and salaries of these up-and-coming professions.
(Click here to read our comprehensive guide on how to become a Medical Assistant)
(Click here to read our comprehensive guide on how to become a Dental Assistant)
Medical Assistant vs. Dental Assistant: Definition
What is a Medical Assistant?
Medical Assistants are multi-competent healthcare professionals involved in the administrative and clinical tasks that keep the offices, clinics, and laboratories of physicians running smoothly. Depending on where they work, some Medical Assistants may telephone prescriptions to a pharmacy, collect and prepare laboratory specimens, sterilize medical instruments, and prep patients for X-rays. They may even take electrocardiograms and remove sutures or change dressings.
What is a Dental Assistant?
Dental Assistants are valuable members of the healthcare team. They increase the dentist’s efficiency in the delivery of first-rate care and perform a variety of tasks.
Medical Assistant vs. Dental Assistant: Job Description
What Does a Medical Assistant Do?
Medical Assistants assist physicians in both the office and the exam room. Their wide range of duties varies depending on the location, specialty, and size of the practice.
What Does a Dental Assistant Do?
The duties of a Dental Assistant can range from assisting patients to taking X-rays, record keeping, and scheduling appointments. Some Dental Assistants also take and process dental X-Rays, complete lab tasks under the direction of a dentist, install fixed prosthodontics, maintain inventory for dental practices, schedule patient appointments, and work with patients on billing and payment.
Medical Assistant vs. Dental Assistant: Duties
Medical Assistant Responsibilities
So, what does a Medical Assistant do? Depending on their location, they may complete tasks like the following:
- Answering telephones
- Scheduling appointments
- Greeting patients
- Updating and file patient charts
- Ordering supplies
- Arranging for hospital admission and laboratory services
- Handling billing, collections, and bookkeeping
- Taking medical histories
- Recording vital signs
- Preparing patients for exams and assisting the physician during the exam
Dental Assistant Responsibilities
Some of a Dental Assistant’s typical duties include the following:
- Ensuring that patients are comfortable in the dental chair
- Preparing patients and the work area for treatments and procedures
- Assisting with oral surgeries
- Sterilizing dental instruments
- Handing instruments to the dentist during procedures
- Evacuating oral cavities and keeping the patient’s mouth dry by using suction hoses and other equipment
- Making dental impressions
- Instructing patients in proper oral hygiene
Where Do Medical Assistants Work?
Medical Assistants work in a variety of healthcare environments. These include but are not limited to physician offices, private healthcare facilities, hospitals, hospital clinics, laboratories, health industry providers, independent clinics, and industrial firms requiring healthcare personnel.
Where Do Dental Assistants Work?
Dental Assistants work primarily in dentists’ and doctors’ offices. However, some DAs can also find employment in government facilities.
Medical Assistant vs. Dental Assistant
Educational Requirements for Medical Assistants
Most Medical Assistants obtain a postsecondary education with a certificate of completion. However, others may enter the field with a high school diploma and learn through on-the-job training. The required education for becoming a Medical Assistant can also vary state by state.
Educational Requirements for Dental Assistants
There are several paths you can take to become a Dental Assistant. While some states require DAs to graduate from an accredited program and pass an exam, others do not require any formal education and learn through on-the-job training.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Medical Assistant?
Depending on the path you choose, it could take a year or less to enter the field of Medical Assisting, with most programs allowing you to graduate in under a year. For instance, you can complete the Medical Assisting program at Unitek College in as little as 9 months.
The curriculum of the MA program at Unitek College emphasizes both administrative and clinical skills. It includes extensive instruction in medical terminology, medical office procedures, medical and clinical procedures, basic anatomy and physiology, and special duties typical in the field.
As you research each school, be sure to look at the admissions requirements, coursework curriculum, cost, and length of their Medical Assistant programs.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Dental Assistant?
Like Medical Assisting, you can usually complete a Dental Assistant diploma program in a year or less. At Unitek College, you can complete our Dental Assistant program in as little as 10 months.
Our dynamic curriculum combines virtual instruction with simulation training and a supervised externship. The courses you’ll take cover critical aspects of the profession, including sterilization techniques, medical emergencies, dental X-rays, impressions, and dental instruments.
Medical Assistant vs. Dental Assistant: Salary
How Much Do Medical Assistants Make?
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average hourly wage for a Medical Assistant is around $18.00 an hour, and their average salary is about $37,000 per year. However, MAs who earn salaries in the top 10th percentile can make up to $51,000 (or more) per year.
Highest Paying Industries for Medical Assistants
According to the BLS, the following industries offer the highest wages and salaries to Medical Assistants:
| Industry | Average Hourly Pay | Average Salary |
| Outpatient Care Centers | $20.35 | $42,330 |
| General Hospitals | $18.37 | $38,200 |
| Physicians’ Offices | $17.59 | $36,580 |
| Offices of Other Health Practitioners | $15.97 | $33,210 |
| Senior Homes & Assisted Living Facilities | $14.84 | $30,870 |
Highest Paying States for Medical Assistants
Medical Assistants earn the highest average wages in the following states:
| State | Average Hourly Pay | Average Salary |
| Alaska | $22.41 | $46,610 |
| Washington | $21.97 | $45,700 |
| Washington D.C. | $21.80 | $45,340 |
| Massachusetts | $20.72 | $43,090 |
| Minnesota | $20.72 | $43,090 |
Highest Paying Cities for Medical Assistants
Medical Assistants earn the highest average wages in the following cities:
| City | Average Hourly Pay | Average Salary |
| San Francisco, CA | $25.94 | $53,960 |
| Vallejo, CA | $25.80 | $53,660 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $25.25 | $52,520 |
| Seattle, WA | $23.59 | $49,070 |
| San Jose, CA | $23.57 | $49,020 |
| Sacramento, CA | $23.37 | $48,600 |
| Olympia, WA | $22.85 | $47,530 |
| Anchorage, AK | $22.02 | $45,790 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $21.63 | $44,980 |
| Longview, WA | $21.53 | $44,780 |
How Much Do Dental Assistants Make?
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average hourly wage for a Dental Assistant is about $20, with an annual average salary of about $41,000. Dental Assistants that earn salaries in the top 10 percent can make more than $58,000 per year.
Highest Paying Industries for Dental Assistants
According to the BLS, these industries are where you’re most likely to find the top-paying jobs for Dental Assistants:
| Industry | Average Hourly Pay | Average Salary |
| Nursing Care Facilities | $22.29 | $46,370 |
| Ambulatory Health Care Services | $22.16 | $46,090 |
| General Hospitals | $21.93 | $45,620 |
| Dental Offices | $20.34 | $42,300 |
| Outpatient Care Centers | $20.17 | $41,940 |
Highest Paying States for Dental Assistants
As stated by the BLS, Dental Assistants earn the highest average wages in these states:
| State | Average Hourly Pay | Average Salary |
| Minnesota | $25.80 | $53,670 |
| Massachusetts | $24.88 | $51,750 |
| Alaska | $24.63 | $51,230 |
| New Hampshire | $24.43 | $50,820 |
| Oregon | $23.23 | $48,320 |
Highest Paying Cities for Dental Assistants
The BLS has reported that Dental Assistants earn the highest annual wages in the following cities:
| City | Average Hourly Pay | Average Salary |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $28.16 | $58,570 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $27.04 | $56,240 |
| Vallejo, CA | $26.23 | $54,550 |
| San Jose, CA | $26.08 | $54,250 |
| Bismarck, ND | $25.77 | $53,600 |
| San Francisco, CA | $25.72 | $53,510 |
| Boston, MA | $25.60 | $53,250 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $25.52 | $53,080 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $25.22 | $52,460 |
| Rochester, MN | $25.10 | $52,210 |
Medical Assistant vs. Dental Assistant: Job Outlook
Medical Assistant Job Outlook
Not only is there expected growth in the field of Medical Assisting, but the BLS has predicted a 19% increase by 2029—this rate is much faster than the average for all occupations (4%). Thus, while Medical Assistants are projected to have good job prospects, those who earn certification and are familiar with electronic health records (EHRs) may entertain even better job prospects.
Dental Assistant Job Outlook
The BLS reports that the overall employment of Dental Assistants is expected to grow 7% by 2029, which is also faster than the average for all occupations (4%). In addition, research has linked good oral health to general health. This will likely increase the demand for preventive dental services.
Why Is Dental Assisting a Great Alternative Career Path for Medical Assistants?
With short training programs and exposure to another realm of healthcare, becoming a Dental Assistant could be an excellent choice for Medical Assistants. Both of these roles act as the “hands” of their supervisor, whether that be a dentist or a doctor.
Start by Earning Your Medical Assistant Diploma
With a Medical Assistant diploma, you can start a path toward various job opportunities. In some cases, your education and training will prepare you for a smooth transition into these roles. Your Medical Assisting skills can serve as an excellent foundation for the specialized training and certification they require for other jobs.
If you’re ready to take the next step, start by earning your Medical Assistant diploma in as little as 9 months at Unitek College.
Click here to learn more about our Medical Assistant program.
