Oral surgical assistants help prep patients for oral surgery.
Oral surgery assistants sterilize instruments, check equipment and materials, and set up dental operation rooms prior to surgery. They also assist oral surgeons by handling and organizing surgical tools, monitoring patients' vital signs and developing x-ray images. Training for an oral surgery assistant career often includes completing a dental assistant program, as well as acquiring additional certification credentials from the American Dental Association (ADA).
Function
Although oral surgery assistants usually start out as dental assistants, a combination of on-the-job training and additional certification prepares candidates for a career in dental surgery. Dental assistant programs teach students perform common tasks such as operating basic dental equipment. They also learn identify surgical instruments and communicate with patients. There are no formal training requirements for oral surgical assistants. However, expanded function dental assistant training is available for instruction in certain specialties.
Curriculum
Dental assistant curriculum offers a variety of subjects, including taking and processing x-ray images, building crowns and preparing bridges. These programs also cover dental science and biomedical fundamentals, as well as administrative tasks that are necessary for successfully running a dental office. Other courses include anatomy, physiology, computer technology, mathematics, CPR and first aid techniques. Students also take classes in dental anatomy and pathology, pharmacology and radiography. An internship is usually required to successfully complete the program.
Skills
There are a range of skills that plastic surgery assistants acquire during dental assistant and expanded function assistant training programs. For example, dental assistant training teaches students instruct patients on dental hygiene, post-surgery care and preparation of surgical instruments. Expanded function dental assistant training arms students with skills ranging from removing temporary crowns and polishing enamel surfaces to removing stains and working with restorative materials such as zinc oxide eugenol.
Potential
Dental assistants are expected to experience significant job growth during the 2008 to 2018 decade, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics "Occupational Outlook Handbook," 2010-11 edition. The BLS projects that employment for dental assistants will increase 36 percent, providing excellent job opportunities for professionals who wish to expand their expertise in dental surgery. Factors such as population growth and aging patients will push services for preventative and cosmetic dental care. The BLS also points to the changing demographics of dentists and oral surgeons. As older dentists and oral surgeons retire, recent graduates and younger dentists will be more likely to hire dental assistants.
Tags: assistant training, dental assistant, dental assistant training, dental assistants, oral surgeons, oral surgery, surgery assistants
