Becoming a Dental Surgery Assistant

The job of dental assistants is to help dentists by preparing the surgery, sterilizing and setting out of instruments. They also meet patients coming to the surgery, prepare them for a check up or treatment, and sort out the dental records and paperwork. They work with the dentist, passing instruments, mixing fillings, and assisting with treatment. They may also perform general office and clerical duties.

The job:

Patients usually meet dental surgery assistants (DSA's) before the dentist. They show patients to the surgery and prepare them for an examination or treatment. A DSA will have cleaned the surgery and already prepared it. This involves sterilizing and arranging the dental instruments.

DSA's may also find patient records, check that details are correct, and update them to include any new treatments.

They may sometimes have to reassure nervous or worried patients so they have to be good at handling all sorts of people. They must be warm and friendly.

Sometimes, DSA's perform the duties of a receptionist, making appointments and taking money, but this depends on the size of the practice. During treatments, DSA's assist dentists. Duties include mixing fillings or materials to take impressions, passing instruments, or preparing X rays. They also hold instruments during treatments, such as the suction tube to remove saliva from the mouth. DSA's need to care for patients throughout their treatment.

DSA's have to work quickly and accurately and some of the work may be very close and require great concentration. DSA's need to be neat in appearance and tidy and organized in their work.

Another part of their work involves processing and preparing X rays.

DSA's have to work extremely closely with dentists, getting to know their style of working and often anticipating what will be required during treatment.

The work can be demanding and may involve long hours, since DSA's are on duty until dentists have finished seeing all of their patients.

Clerical work may include filling, dealing with correspondence, ordering supplies, and dealing with dental laboratories. DSA's may also be responsible for keeping the reception area neat and tidy.

DSA's in hospitals have more of a nursing role and may look after patients following surgery and general anesthetics.

Training involved:

It is possible to train as a dental surgery assistant in general practice, the armed forces, community dental services, or in a dental hospital. There are full time training courses available at colleges or dental hospitals. Training can be full or part time, lasting two or three years. Courses include anatomy and physiology, the use of various dental instruments, causes of decay and gum disease, maintenance of dental records and charts, the use of different materials for fillings and their preparation, use and storage of drugs and anesthetics, and using X rays safely.

It is still possible for DSA's to train while working, receiving training from dentists, but this is less usual, since busy dentists may not be able to find the time and will prefer new DSA's to receive some of their training outside the practice.

Salary Expectations:

The base salary range of a Dental Surgery Assistant range from $31,581 to $46,348 annually, while the median salary for most Dental Surgery Assistants is $38,500 annually. (US Base Pay)

Future prospects:

Job security can be good - once dentists have trained good DSA's, they will not want to lose them. For the DSA, this can bring much job satisfaction knowing that they are helping patients. They may get to know patients and, over a period of time, build up a rapport with them.

Not everyone who enjoys this type of work, but most DSA's stay long term if they find that they enjoy the job.

There are prospects to move into the clerical area of work and, in a large practice, become a practice administrator.

Dental surgery assistants who are interested in patients care may train to become dental hygienists, and DSA training is a requirement for some hygienist courses.

Some DSA's may develop a further interest in the work and train to become dental technicians, therapists, or nurses.

For further information, please contact professional organizations for dental surgery assistants, or dental hospitals or colleges.