Who is a dental surgery assistant and what do they do? The dental surgery assistant aids the dentist.
What are the activities of the dental surgery assistant? Processing dental materials and preparation of dental fillings in accordance with the dentist’s instructions – readying dental instruments and passing them to the dentist – disinfection and sterilisation of medical aids – preparing injections for local anaesthesia before tooth extraction or other procedures – preparing materials suitable for taking impressions (of teeth) – making appointments for patients – delivering impressions, X-rays etc. to the dental technician, arranging the technician’s services for the given dental clinic – making appointments for patients with the dental surgeon if surgical procedures are needed – giving advice and instructions related to dental hygiene – administrative work, keeping patient medical records – dealing with health insurance funds- answering the telephone- maintaining the clinic and waiting room area tidy and orderly. In some cases, some of the more clerical aspects of this work may be done by a separate dental receptionist.
Where is it done and under what conditions? Primarily in a dental clinic where there may, of course, be contact with chemical substances.
What tools/equipment do they use? Mainly small tools and equipment, especially for preparing dental materials.
What do you need to succeed? You need to have completed a secondary education programme, and a specialised training course for dental assistants; you should be precise, reliable, and good with your hands.