When you go to the dentist, you see two different people, a dental hygienist and a dentist. The dental hygienist is the person who takes your X-rays and cleans your teeth while the dentist is the person who comes in to inspect your teeth and diagnose any problems. You may wonder what the difference is between a dental hygienist and a dentist and why one person can’t take care of both cleaning your teeth and diagnosing issues.
Here’s what you need to know about the differences between a dental hygienist and a dentist.
What Is A Dental Hygienist?
A dental hygienist is the first person that you see when you go to the dentist. They’re the person who cleans your teeth, does any necessary X-rays, and takes note of anything that looks suspicious.
Dental hygienists usually work as part of a dentist’s supporting team. Some states allow dental hygienists to have their own dental hygiene clinic, but most require a dental hygienist to work under a dentist.
What Is A Dentist?
The dentist is the person who comes in after the dental hygienist has done their job. The dental hygienist will point out anything that looked suspicious and your dentist will diagnose the issue. A dentist is a doctor who is qualified to have their own practice and specializes in advanced dental procedures, such as filling cavities.
Dentists can also specialize in specific areas. For example, an endodontist is a dentist who specializes in teeth pulp, which means that they primarily do root canals.
What Are The Differences Between A Dental Hygienist And A Dentist?
Now that we’ve gone over what both a dental hygienist and a dentist are, you have more of an idea of the differences between them. However, we go more into depth in the distinctions between these two careers below.
#1. Level Of Education
A dentist is technically a doctor of dentistry. In order to become a dentist, you not only need an undergraduate degree, you also need to attend 4 years of dental school. Dentists need to pass exams and fulfill more requirements in order to get a license to practice in their state. If a dentist decides to specialize, they will need further education and training.
A dental hygienist also needs specialized training and education, but to a lesser extent. You need either an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene. Then, you need to pass specific exams in order to earn your dental hygiene license.
#2. Responsibilities
A dentist can clean your teeth and everything, however, their focus is more on more advanced issues. A dental hygienist and a dentist work together in order to ensure that everything runs as smoothly as possible.
The responsibilities of a dental hygienist include:
- Cleaning your teeth
- Polishing your teeth
- Taking note of anything suspicious
- Advising patients on proper dental care
- Assisting dentists in dental procedures
The responsibilities of a dentist include:
- Diagnosing and treating dental problems, such as cavities
- Analyzing what the dental hygienist noted
- Making referrals to dental specialists, such as an endodontist
- Administering the clinic
As you can see, dental hygienists provide more general tooth care while dentists are the ones who can treat dental issues.
#3. Pay
Since a dentist needs more education and training for more advanced treatments and care, dentists get paid more than dental hygienists. If a dentist decides to specialize in a specific part of oral care, they can earn even more.
However, dental hygienists still receive competitive salaries. A dental hygienist can earn more than people with other careers that have similar educational requirements. Both a dental hygienist and a dentist get paid well.
#4. Job Outlook
There are approximately twice as many dental hygienists in the United States as there are dentists. This is due to the fact that is is easier to become a dental hygienist than it is to become a dentist.
As scientists continue to learn more about how dental health is connected to your overall health, the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics projects that the growth rate for dental hygienists will be 6% and the growth rate for dentists will be 3%. This is an above-average growth rate for careers in a specific field.
Dental Care In Salt Lake City, UT
As you can see, both a dental hygienist and a dentist are needed in order to ensure optimal oral health care to you. If you are in need of a dental cleaning or you suspect that you have a dental problem, Avenues Dental is here for you. Contact us today to schedule your dental appointment.
