Dental Assistant vs Dental Hygienist: Which Career Path Should You Choose?
By: Jenn Brusco | March 2025
Considering a career as a dental assistant or a dental hygienist, but not sure which path to choose? While both roles care for dental patients, there are some clear differences in their core responsibilities, as well as the training required and industry certifications available. The great news is both of these careers are within reach. You can choose to become a dental assistant and grow in that career or use it as a steppingstone to become a dental hygienist. You have options.
Before you decide which route you’d like to take, let’s explore what you can expect from each career path.
Dental Assistant vs Dental Hygienist: Job Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, both career paths are expected to grow faster than average through 2033. Dental assistant jobs are expected to grow 8% and dental hygienists jobs are expected to grow 9% – which is great news for anyone getting started in these careers!
Many of these job opportunities are the result of not only dental practice growth, but also turnover from individuals who either move on to a different job or who retire from the workforce entirely. Could you be the one to fill one of these job openings?
Dental Assistant vs Dental Hygienist: Primary Responsibilities
Dental assistants provide valuable support for both dental staff and patients alike. Their primary responsibilities include:
- Sterilizing dental instruments
- Preparing the work area and help patients get settled into their dental chair for an appointment
- Supporting dentists during treatments or procedures, including handing instruments and positioning suction hoses and other equipment to support patient comfort
- Discussing proper oral hygiene with patients
- Scheduling patient appointments
- Maintaining records of dental treatments and procedures
- Processing x-rays and laboratory tests
A dental hygienist also provides patient care support, but at a higher level than a dental assistant. When you visit the dentist for your bi-annual cleaning, you spend the majority of your time with the dental hygienist. Some of their primary responsibilities include:
- Performing routine dental cleanings
- Polishing teeth
- Scaling teeth to remove plaque below the gum line
- Taking dental x-rays
- Conducting oral health screenings
- Applying fluoride treatments
- Instructing patients on proper oral hygiene
Both of these roles contribute to a positive patient experience and optimal outcomes, but the way they contribute differs in level of direct patient care.
Dental Assistant vs Dental Hygienist: Training and Skills
While both of these career paths require a high school diploma or equivalent as one of the stepping stones in their training journey, there are additional training requirements needed depending on the career path you choose.
Dental Assistant: Beyond a high school diploma, many employers also require prospective dental assistants to have completed an accredited dental assistant training program as well. This training helps to ensure new dental assistants have the foundational knowledge and skills needed to successfully enter the field and contribute to the team as quickly as possible. Certificate programs typically take less than a year to complete – U.S. Career Institute’s Dental Assistant certificate program can be completed within five to 10 months, on average. Additionally, entry-level dental assistants may pursue industry-recognized certification (e.g., Certified Dental Assistant or Registered Dental Assistant). These certifications are not required to begin your career as a dental assistant, but may offer another opportunity to showcase your knowledge, which could help you further stand out to prospective employers. Finally, state licensure is not required in every state, but you may need to seek out state licensure to practice as a dental assistant, if needed.
Dental Hygienist: Like a dental assistant, the first step to train as a dental hygienist is to earn your high school diploma or equivalent. The next step is to complete your associate’s degree in dental hygiene and possibly your bachelor’s degree as well. These programs are more intensive and may take two to four years to complete. Next, you will need to pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) to become licensed to practice as a dental hygienist. The NBDHE is accepted in all 50 states. Once licensed, dental hygienists will need to complete continuing education hours to maintain their license. Additional industry-recognized certifications for dental hygienists may include Dental Infection Prevention and Control (DIPC) and Nitrous Oxide certification.
Dental Assistant vs Dental Hygienist: Salary Expectations
Understanding your earning potential within both of these career paths is an important factor to consider. Salary expectations are based on a number of contributing factors, including location, level of education, certification, and experience.
The median annual salary for a dental assistant is $46,540. The states with the highest annual mean wage for dental assistants include:
- Minnesota: $62,760
- Massachusetts: $56,810
- Oregon: $55,960
- District of Columbia: $55,100
- New Hampshire: $54,190
The median annual salary for a dental hygienist is $87,530. The states with the highest annual mean wage for dental hygienists include:
- Washington: $123,510
- California: $118,330
- Alaska: $115,980
- District of Columbia (DC): $113,600
- Oregon: $103,440
As you can see, a dental hygienist has a higher earning potential than a dental assistant, but it comes with a longer education path and higher training expenses. For some, choosing to become a dental assistant first to gain experience and begin working may be a logical path toward a future career as a dental hygienist – think of it like stepping stones in education and salary that can lead to a highly rewarding career.
Dental Assistant vs Dental Hygienist: Next Steps
Whether you choose to pursue a career as a dental assistant or dental hygienist, you will have many opportunities to build a strong and fruitful career. The first step in either path is to complete your high school diploma or equivalent. If you haven’t earned your high school diploma yet, don’t worry. U.S. Career Institute provides a self-paced, 100% online high school education option for adult learners so you can easily complete your required learning and earn your well-deserved diploma.
The next step will be to decide whether you want to explore a dental assistant certificate, like we offer through U.S. Career Institute, or jump straight into an associate or bachelor's degree in pursuit of a dental hygienist career. The choice is yours!