Dental surgery assistants must know how to attach relevant monitoring equipment to a patient in preparation for surgery as well as administer and monitor intravenous and other medications. In addition, they are responsible for making sure patients don't breathe in fluids during surgery and for protecting the patient's cheeks, tongue and lips during treatment. Following a procedure, the assistant must provide a patient with post-operative instructions as well. These professionals also might have to update patient records, prepare prescriptions, order dental supplies and prepare anesthesia and surgery consent forms. Dental surgery assistant training programs teach students how to perform these specific duties.
Many dental practices require a dental surgery assistant to have at least an associate degree in the field. Many assistants, however, also receive training through dental assisting diploma programs. These diploma programs typically last about a year and include an externship opportunity to give students hands-on experience in the field. Associate degree programs can last as little as a year and a half to two years. Enrollment in these programs usually requires a high school diploma or GED, and high school students should take courses in biology, chemistry and health to prepare for this training, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Students who are interested in completing a dental surgery assistant training program should look for schools that are accredited by the American Dental Association. Graduating from an accredited dental assisting program makes a student eligible to take the Dental Assisting National Board certification examination. This examination leads to the Certified Dental Assistant credential. With this credential, students are more employable in general dentist practices that offer dental surgery services as well as oral surgeon offices. In addition, students should look for schools that teach dental surgery courses or give students the opportunity to complete externships at oral surgery practices.
Classes in dental surgery assistant programs cover topics such as sterilization of equipment and materials, preparing operatories for particular procedures and getting a patient's vital signs. Students also learn how to pass surgical tools, remove sutures and handle surgical dressing preparation. In addition, programs cover other basic dental assisting duties such as appointment scheduling, exposing/processing dental radiographs and four- and six-handed dentistry, according to UEI (United Education Institute) College in California, which offers an eight-month dental assisting program that includes teaching on the dental specialty of oral surgery. Classes also typically cover microbiology/pathology, laboratory procedures, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, oral anatomy/physiology and dental office emergencies, according to Eagle Gate College in Utah.
Dental surgery assistants in 2010 earned at least $43,000 a year in major cities, and earnings could even reach about $56,000, according to SalaryExpert.com. Employment of dental assistants is expected to climb 36 percent from 2008 to 2018.