It is always amusing to me how many individuals assume insurance companies must be making money hands-over-fist, using the $1,000 gift card theory. The reality is that insurance dollars get pooled – some individuals use less than premium amounts; some use more. An average profit for a dental insurance company is less than 5%.

Dentsits should really think twice about criticing insurance too much (not that a hefty amount of criticism isn’t justified in a lot of cases due to their administrative ineptitude) because of the roughly $90 billion dollars spent on dentistry in the US, insurance companies are in the middle of about $60 billion. Do dentists really think that all of that would still end up in their pockets if employers gave that money to employees rather than insurance companies?

Medical assistant – generally work in Physician’s offices. They are trained in medical terminology, to take vitals signs (temp, blood pressure and such), to assist the dr/nurse with all sorts of procedures (from gynecology, to taking ekgs and such), and they are also trained in taking blood and administring shots. They are pretty much as important as a nurse. The doctors really rely on you. Without you their life would be a hectic mess! lol

A nursing assistant might work in home health care, nursing homes, and/or acute care settings like a hospital. They are able to take vital signs, assist patients with personal care (washing, cleaning, dressing, eating). They do clean up after people it is part of their job, they are more connected with their patients.

As far as I know Medical assistants do get paid more then a nursing assistant does. It may be different in each state, but however in IL medical assistants get paid a few bucks more than a nursing assistant would.