Medical Assistant vs. Dental Assistant: Which Career Would I Like?

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Medical and dental assisting are both rewarding careers that allow you to make a positive impact on the health of people in your community. The careers have similar responsibilities but there are differences in the structure, pace, and work environments that could make one path a better fit for you than the other. Consider the responsibilities, work environments, and job outlook of each to decide which one might be the best fit for you.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities of a Medical Assistant

As a Medical Assistant, you have both administrative and clinical responsibilities. You assist the doctor during exams and routine procedures, and you also manage office operations so the physician can focus on patient care. Some of your responsibilities include:

  • Greet and check in patients
  • Answer phone calls and emails
  • Prepare exam rooms
  • Sterilize equipment
  • Measure vital signs
  • Collect specimens
  • Assist physicians during exams
  • Update medical records
  • Schedule appointments
  • Submit insurance claims and invoices

In a typical day, you interact with a variety of people, from healthcare staff to patients who might need routine check-ups or chronic disease management. Because a doctor sees many patients in a day, the pace is often busy with ebbs and flows throughout the day.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities of a Dental Assistant

As a Dental Assistant you also handle both clinical and administrative duties to help a dental practice run smoothly. In addition to scheduling appointments, filing insurance claims, setting up exam rooms, and sterilizing equipment, you also:

  • Assist during oral exams and procedures
  • Take dental X-rays
  • Make impressions or molds
  • Prepare materials for fillings or crowns
  • Educate patients on oral hygiene

Because even a routine dental exam can take 45 to 60 minutes, you spend a lot of time on your feet as a Dental Assistant. You also have more direct patient interaction than you would as a Medical Assistant. And your work requires you to take extra care when it comes to safety and infection control as you work on your patients’ mouths.

Work Environments for Medical Assistants

The majority of medical assistants work in doctor’s offices, but some also work at hospitals, outpatient care centers, and group practices. At a doctor’s office, you may find a 9-5 schedule while at a hospital, you may need to work longer shifts, nights, or weekends. You also can get to know your patients better at a doctor’s office. At a hospital, you might work in a unit such as the ER, pediatric ward, or ICU, where you see different patients every day.

Work Environments for Dental Assistants

Almost all Dental Assistants work in dental offices, with some finding work in government entities or at physician offices. In a dental office, you will work full time, with a fairly routine schedule. Depending on the hours your dentist keeps, you may need to work some evenings or weekends.

Job Outlook for Medical and Dental Assistants

The job outlook is bright for Medical Assistants and Dental Assistants. There is faster than average demand for Dental Assistants and much faster than average demand for Medical Assistants. Because many people in the professions are retiring, there is need to replace them and there are projected to be nearly 53,000 job openings for Dental Assistants each year and more than 110,000 openings for Medical Assistants each year, through the decade.

Is Medical Assisting the Right Fit for Me?

Medical assisting might be the right path for you if you enjoy a faster work pace and variety of responsibilities. You see many different patients with various needs, illnesses, and injuries. How many patients you see and their demands can change from day-to-day. This career path allows you more choices in work environments and is great if you have an interest in health and wellbeing. It could also lead to future career opportunities in nursing or healthcare administration, if you decide continue your education.

Is Dental Assisting Right For Me?

Dental assisting is a strong fit for you if you prefer more hands-on, technical work. This role offers a more structured environment that requires attention to detail and good hand-eye coordination. It also provides a more routine schedule and the chance to work with a smaller team.

Whether you’re interested in becoming a Dental Assistant or a Medical Assistant, Charter College can help. We offer a Certificate in Medical Assistant and a Certificate in Dental Assisting that can prepare you for entry-level careers in these fields. Each program can be completed in as few as 10 months. Call 888-200-9942 or fill out the form to learn more.