Takeover Tracker
24%low risk
Dental Assistants
vs

59 shared · 16 different

core competencies

23%low risk
Surgical Technologists

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDental AssistantsSurgical Technologists
Risk Score24.2%22.6%
Risk TierLow RiskLow Risk
Risk Percentile17th12th
Tasks at Risk (>50%)4 / 154 / 15
Median Salary$47,300$62,830
Employment375K114K

Skill Comparison

|

Sorted by largest difference

Interacting With Computers
Coaching and Developing Others
Training and Teaching Others
Perceptual Speed
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
Flexibility of Closure
Documenting/Recording Information
Handling and Moving Objects
English Language
Selective Attention

Protective Factors

Higher values indicate stronger protection against AI displacement

Dental Assistants

34%

total discount

Surgical Technologists

32%

total discount

Task Risk Comparison

Tasks sorted by AI automation risk — higher means more automatable

Dental Assistants

4 of 15 at risk
86%Record treatment information in patient records.
86%Order and monitor dental supplies and equipment inventory.
82%Take and record medical and dental histories and vital signs of patients.
65%Schedule appointments, prepare bills and receive payment for dental services, complete insurance forms, and maintain records, manually or using computer.
49%Pour, trim, and polish study casts.

Surgical Technologists

4 of 15 at risk
86%Order surgical supplies.
84%Count sponges, needles, and instruments before and after operation.
78%Schedule surgical procedures for patients.
51%Monitor and continually assess operating room conditions, including patient and surgical team needs.
49%Wash and sterilize equipment, using germicides and sterilizers.

Wage Comparison

Surgical Technologists earns +$15,530(+33%) vs Dental Assistants
Dental AssistantsSurgical Technologists
10th
$36,190$43,290
25th
$39,520$51,740
Median
$47,300$62,830
75th
$56,910$77,140
90th
$61,780$90,700

Premium Head-to-Head Analysis

Displacement Timeline Comparison

Dental Assistants2028–2035
Surgical Technologists2028–2035
20242030203520402045

Surgical Technologists has a longer runway before significant displacement, projected 0 years later than Dental Assistants.

Risk-Adjusted Salary

Salary weighted by displacement risk: salary × (1 − risk%)

Dental Assistants

$35,839

from $47,300

Surgical Technologists

$48,649

from $62,830

After adjusting for AI risk, Surgical Technologists offers $12,810 more in risk-adjusted pay.

Transition Feasibility

1%

Skill Overlap

Low overlap — significant retraining needed for transition

0

Unique to Dental

0

Unique to Surgical

Combined Protection Strategy

Regardless of which path you choose, focus on these protective factors

Fine Manipulation
Regulatory Barriers
Social Intelligence
Decision Complexity
Dental AssistantsSurgical Technologists
Find transitions from Dental AssistantsFind transitions from Surgical Technologists