Dental Therapist vs Dental Hygienist
A dental therapist vs dental hygienist both play an important role in promoting good oral health and preventing dental diseases. They work together to provide the best care to their patients and their smiles. However, there are some key differences between these two roles.
While both a dental therapist vs dental hygienist focuses on promoting good oral health and preventing dental problems, dental therapists have a broader range of skills to provide advanced skills. Understanding the difference between the careers can help guide you into the right career.
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Dental Therapist vs Dental Hygienist: Education
The difference between a dental therapist vs dental hygienist starts with the required education. The length of college education required to become a dental therapist can vary depending on the education program and the local jurisdiction requirements. In general, dental therapy programs require additional years than a dental hygienist.
There are various degrees you can complete in order to become a dental hygienist. The most popular degrees are an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree. Dental therapists usually require a master’s degree and enrollment may start after a dental hygiene degree.
Education requirements between a dental therapist and vs dental hygienist differ by degrees. Both typically receive a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on clinical training. Upon completing their education, dental hygienists and dental therapists are required to pass a licensing or certification exam in order to practice.
Dental Therapist vs Dental Hygienist: Salary
Dental therapy is a relatively new profession in the United States and other parts of the world. As of recently, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not have data on this profession. Dental therapists have a competitive advantage in dental professions because they play an important role in production.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for dental hygienists was $77,230 as of May 2021. The salary difference between the two careers is influenced by the roles and responsibilities of the profession.
Roles of Dental Therapist vs Dental Hygienist
A dental therapist vs dental hygienist both work in similar environments like dental offices or clinics. Dental therapists, on the other hand, have a broader scope of practice and are able to provide a wider range of services to their patients.
It’s important to note that the scope of practice for a dental therapist vs dental hygienist varies depending on the jurisdiction and the training they have received. In some areas, dental therapists may have more or less authority to perform certain procedures than in others.
Roles of Dental Hygienists
Dental hygienists play an important role in promoting and maintaining good oral health. They work with dental therapists and other dental professionals to help improve smiles and prevent oral diseases. A dental therapist vs dental hygienist may have similar responsibilities to their patients. The roles of a dental hygienist include:
- Reviewing Medical Histories: This is an important part of understanding various medical diseases and treatments in order to screen your patients prior to treatment.
- This may include taking vitals such as blood pressure prior to treatment.
- Oral Prophylaxis: This is the procedure of skillfully and thoroughly cleaning the teeth in order to maintain oral health.
- Scaling and Root Planing: A non-surgical periodontal therapy procedure, dental hygienists provide a deep cleaning into the gum pockets and on the tooth’s root’s surface.
- Dental Radiographs: Taking dental x-rays is very important in diagnosing and disease prevention.
- Anesthesia: Dental hygienists are able to provide varying levels of anesthesia to numb the gums and teeth to support patient comfort.
- Additional Treatments: There are other treatments you may provide as a dental hygienist like applying fluoride treatments and dental sealants.
- To learn more, check out our article How Sealants on Molars Help Fight Cavities.
Additional information on choosing the dental hygiene profession can be found in our article The Pros and Cons of Dental Hygiene.
Roles of Dental Therapists
When deciding between a dental therapist vs dental hygienist career, dental therapists have a wider scope of practice and more responsibilities. Dental therapists are able to perform some restorative procedures in addition to preventive care. These may include:
- Dental Fillings: Dental therapists are trained to provide fillings for cavities and other types of dental decay. There are also able to diagnose cavities and create treatment plans for their patients.
- Extractions: Dental therapists may be able to perform extractions of baby teeth, and in some cases, even permanent teeth.
- Pulp Therapy: Dental therapists may perform pulp therapy on primary teeth, similar to baby teeth root canals.
- Simple Crown Preparations: In some areas, dental therapists may prepare teeth for simple crown placement.
- Local Anesthesia: Dental therapists can administer most types of numbing techniques used in dentistry.
Dental Therapist vs Dental Hygienist: Where
Dental therapists are considered a newer profession and have slowly started to expand across different areas of the world. Dental hygienists are known for playing an important role in dentistry, solidifying the profession.
The practice of dental therapy is currently only legal in a limited number of states in the United States. Dental therapists have started practicing in Alaska, Arizona, Maine, Michigan, and Minnesota. In each of these states, the scope of practice for dental therapists may vary depending on the regulations in place.
Dental therapists have made an incredible impact in dentistry in other parts of the world. Both a dental therapist vs dental hygienist can practice in certain areas of Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and several other countries. The scope of practice may differ depending on the local laws and requirements for the profession.
Choosing Between a Dental Therapist vs Dental Hygienist
Dental health is crucial to total body health. There is a significant link between poor oral health and systemic diseases. When choosing between a dental therapist vs dental hygienist, both play an important role in the medical and dental health of their patients.
Dental therapists help bridge the gap between dental hygienists and dentists to expand access to care for many individuals. To learn more about dental professions, check out our article The Difference Between Dental Hygienists and Dentists.
Take Home Smile Store
Visit our Take Home Smile Store for educational products and printables to help with oral hygiene in patients and improve your daily workflow. Some products even come with a customizable feature to support your dental office.
