Associate Dentist vs. General Dentist: What Are the Differences?

A career in dentistry can be both rewarding and challenging. If you’re interested in becoming a dentist, you may be wondering what the difference is between an associate dentist and a general dentist. In this article, we discuss the similarities and differences between the two positions, and we provide information on what you can expect in each role.

What is an Associate Dentist?

An Associate Dentist is a dentist who works in a dental practice with one or more other dentists. Associate Dentists may be new to the practice or may have been with the practice for many years. They typically see patients for regular cleanings, fillings, and other general dental needs. Associate Dentists may also see patients for more complex procedures, such as root canals or dental implants. In some cases, Associate Dentists may own a portion of the practice, while in other cases they may be employees of the practice.

What is a General Dentist?

A General Dentist is a licensed professional who provides dental care to patients. They examine teeth and gums, diagnose dental problems and provide treatment. General Dentists may also take x-rays, make models of teeth and jaws and provide preventative care. They may work in private practices, clinics or hospitals. Some General Dentists may specialize in a particular area, such as orthodontics, periodontics or pediatrics.

Associate Dentist vs. General Dentist

Here are the main differences between an associate dentist and a general dentist.

Job Duties

General dentists and associate dentists share many of the same job duties, such as examining patient teeth and gums, diagnosing dental issues and diseases and creating treatment plans. However, there are some key differences in the duties based on their different levels of experience. Associate dentists typically handle more administrative tasks, such as scheduling patients for appointments, handling insurance paperwork and communicating with other healthcare professionals. They may also help train new hires or work as team leaders.

General dentists have more freedom to choose the treatments they offer patients because they have more experience creating treatments. They can also choose to take on more responsibilities, such as managing a practice or being an employer to other dentists or dental staff. General dentists may also be responsible for hiring or firing employees or providing leadership to a practice.

Job Requirements

To become an associate dentist, you must first complete a four-year dental degree program at an accredited university. Once you have graduated from dental school, you will need to pass both the National Board Dental Examinations (NBDE) and your state’s licensure exam in order to practice dentistry. In some states, you may also be required to take a jurisprudence exam, which tests your knowledge of state dental laws and regulations.

To become a general dentist, you must first complete a four-year dental degree program at an accredited university. Once you have graduated from dental school, you will need to pass both the National Board Dental Examinations (NBDE) and your state’s licensure exam in order to practice dentistry. In some states, you may also be required to take a jurisprudence exam, which tests your knowledge of state dental laws and regulations. After completing your undergraduate dental degree, you may choose to pursue a two- or three-year residency program in order to specialize in a certain area of dentistry, such as oral surgery or orthodontics.

Work Environment

General dentists typically work in private practices, where they can set their own hours and have more control over the type of patients they see. They may also work for hospitals or other institutions that provide dental care to people who don’t have access to a private dentist.

Associate dentists usually work in private practices with a general dentist as their employer. This means that associate dentists often work regular business hours during the week and on weekends. Associate dentists may also be required to work overtime if there are many patients waiting to be seen.

Skills

Both associate dentists and general dentists need to have excellent communication skills. This is important because they need to be able to explain procedures and treatment options to patients in a way that is easy to understand. They also need to be able to listen to patients so that they can understand their concerns and needs.

Both types of dentists need to have strong manual dexterity because they will be working with small tools in tight spaces. They also both need to have good hand-eye coordination so that they can accurately place the tools where they need to go.

Associate dentists may need to have stronger customer service skills than general dentists because they will be working more closely with patients. They will need to be able to build rapport and establish trust with patients so that they feel comfortable coming back for future appointments. General dentists may not need to focus as much on customer service because they will already have established relationships with patients.

Salary

The average salary for an associate dentist is $176,886 per year, while the average salary for a general dentist is $177,853 per year. Both of these salaries can vary depending on the location of the dentist, the type of practice they work in and their level of experience.