Dental X Ray Certification: Benefits of Certification

dental x ray certificationIf you are thinking about preparing for dental X ray certification, you may not realize that there is a tremendous difference between a dental hygienist and a dental assistant. While one person may occupy both roles, it is important to realize that a hygienist primarily focuses on cleaning teeth, while an assistant may perform a much wider range of services. Therefore, if you are interested in dental X ray certification, you should make sure that it will truly help you advance in your career.

Dental X Ray Certification — A Basic Dental Assistant Job Description

Typically, a dental assistant will perform any or all of the following tasks on an as needed basis:

  • Prepare denture and bridge molds
  • Take x rays
  • Manage suction and water flush equipment during extractions and other procedures
  • Sterilize equipment
  • Any other tasks that will enable the dentist to focus on a specific treatment or task

Dental Assistant Salary vs. Dental Hygienist Salary

Many people are surprised to find that a dental hygienist will often make much more than an assistant. On an average, a hygienist will start off making around 40,000 a year, while an assistant may start off with half the amount. Even if you have dental X ray certification, it may not result in higher pay. As individuals in each career path gain experience, a hygienist may easily earn over 100,000, while an assistant will only earn around 50,000. That said, you will also find a tremendous difference in pay based on region. Surprisingly enough, hygienists in Alaska easily make twice as much as their counterparts in other states. It is also very important to realize that a hygienist will work in a largely unsupervised capacity, while an assistant will almost always be directly supervised by the dentist. This and other factors often contribute to a disparity in pay scales.

Why You Should Get Dental Radiology Certification from a Dental Technician School

Even though you will not make as much money as a dental hygienist, you will still need dental X ray certification if you want to be an assistant. As may be expected, career choice is a personal matter that extends beyond money. If you don’t feel that you will be comfortable spending all day removing tartar and other debris from teeth and gums, then being an assistant may have more appeal. That said, if you do not want to jump from one thing to another all day long, then being a hygienist may be more suitable for your needs.

Individuals planning to get dental X ray certification need to realize that there is an enormous difference between a hygienist and an assistant. It is also very important to make sure that you understand why there is such a tremendous variance in pay scales. From there, you can think about which job you want to perform in a dental office, as well as what you will get from it. At that point, you will be in a much better position to analyze how dental X ray certification will fit into your plans, as well as enhance your profile.


If you require more information, please visit the following sites that are authorities in this topic...

Dental X Ray Certification: Benefits of Certification
Medical Certification