How Are Dental Assistants Different From Dental Hygienists?

The simplest distinction between dental assistants and dental hygienists is that dental assistants work around teeth and dental hygienists work on teeth. We’ll explain.

Dental Assistants

Dental assistants graduate from dental assistant schools and perform a number of lab, patient care and office duties in a dentist’s office.

While dental assistants don’t generally work directly on teeth, they have a wide range of responsibilities including, but not limited to:

• Placing dental dams to isolate teeth for treatment
• Applying topical anesthetics to gums
• Making casts of teeth/mouth
• Making temporary crowns
• Removing sutures (stitches)
• Removing excess cement used when filling teeth
• Taking and processing dental x-rays
• Cleaning/polishing removable oral appliances
• Handing instruments and materials to dentists during procedures
• Using suction to keep patients' mouths dry and to provide a clear view for the dentist

In addition, office-specific duties may be required, such as scheduling appointments, documenting patient records, billing insurance, etc.


Dental Hygienists

Dental hygienists are licensed professionals that have more formal education and training than dental assistants and can consequently perform more duties including working directly on patients.  Dental hygienists must pass a national written exam, regional clinical exam, and a state exam to earn a license to practice.

In addition to those things listed above, dental hygienists can also:

• Assess, chart and document patients' teeth and gum health
• Remove soft and hard deposits from teeth
• Use hand, rotary and ultrasonic tools to clean and polish teeth
• Provide preventive dental care
• Remove tartar, stains and plaque
• Take x-rays
• Apply cavity-preventive agents and sealants
• In most states, administer local anesthesia

Hygienists may have other responsibilities, depending on the state in which they work.