Certificate Course of Proficiency in Dental Surgery Assisting
(1-year Full time)
(2-year Part-time Day Release)

A Dental Surgery Assistant is a very important member of the dental team, who assists the dentist at the chairside with patients before, during and after treatment. His/Her attitude can make a tremendous difference to how a patient accepts the treatment and how he/she helps the dentist achieve the set goals.

II. Certificate of Proficiency in Dental Surgery Assisting

The Hospital is the only teaching institute in Hong Kong which provides basic theory training and clinical practice for student dental surgery assistants. It offers one-year full-time and two-year part-time day release training courses leading to the award of Certificate of Proficiency in Dental Surgery Assisting.

III. Course Aims

IV. Course Objectives

At the end of the course, the student should be able to:

1. understand the role of a Dental Surgery Assistant in the dental industry;
2. assist the dentist at the chairside with the care of patients before, during and after treatment;
3. perform high quality infection control procedures in the clinical areas, including appropriate cleansing, disinfection and sterilization techniques;
4. teach oral hygiene knowledge, including periodontal disease, dietary advice and oral cleaning techniques;
5. perform basic procedures for dental appliance making, e.g. pouring study casts and constructing special trays;
6. develop and mount radiographs; and
7. manage a dental clinic efficiently.

V. Qualities of a Dental Surgery Assistant

1. Optimistic and sociable
2. Cheerful with a ready smile
3. Accommodating, sympathetic and understanding
4. With common sense
5. Has the initiative
6. With good communication skill
7. Able to perform as a team player
8. Reliable
9. Flexible
10. With neat professional appearance

VI. Course Structure

FIRST SEMESTER

(1) Lectures will be dedicated mainly to basic sciences covering:

1. Anatomy & Physiology
2. General Pathology
3. Dental Anatomy & Physiology
4. Microbiology & Immunology
5. Diet & Nutrition
6. Medical Emergencies
7. Preventive Dentistry
8. Dental Health Education

(2) Practical Chairside Assisting in the following disciplines:

1. Reception and Primary Care
2. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, including visit to Queen Mary Hospital’s operating theatre
3. Oral Radiology
4. Paediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, including visit to The Duchess of Kent Children’s Hospital
5. Endodontics
6. Periodontology & Dental Public Health
7. Oral Rehabilitation

SECOND SEMESTER

(1) Lectures will be extended to the following area:

1. Anaesthetics and Forensic Dentistry
2. Drugs and Medicaments
3. Dental Technology
4. English
5. Communication Skills
6. Basic Bookkeeping

(2) Practical Chairside Assisting
Students will return to each discipline to learn more advanced procedures

(3) Dental Health Education Project

(4) Visits to private dental clinics, Government Oral Health Education Unit and specials schools for mentally or physically handicapped children / adults

VII. Mode of Teaching

Running concurrently with lectures, students will learn all disciplines' procedures through classroom instruction, audio-visual media, small group teaching, clinical observation, demonstration and practice. All lectures, teaching, training and examinations will be conducted in English.

VIII. Assessment

• continuous assessment (after each discipline's practical chairside assisting)
• charting examination
• written examination
• spotter examination (speed and perception)
• practical examination (mixing and assembling)
• viva examination

IX. Attendance

Full-time (1 year): Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Part-time (2 years)*: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
* Including full-time teaching for several weeks

All lectures, practical sessions and other class activities are mandatory.

(1) Good general health (Hepatitis B, Rubella and Measles vaccinations required)

(2) Competent in both Cantonese and English (written and spoken)

(3) 5 subjects attaining Grade E / Level 2 or above in HKCEE, including English Language* OR equivalent

* For English Language (Syllabus A) in pre-2007 HKCEE, only Grade C or above will be considered.
OR
1 year’s full-time Dental Surgery Assistant experience

Note: Preference will be given to applicants with First Aid or CardioPulmonary Resuscitation training.

XI. Commencement Date

06 September 2010 (tentative)

XII. Tuition Fee

(Subject to revision and is non-refundable unless the course is cancelled)

XIII. Financial Assistance

Students may apply for the Government's "Non-means Tested Loan Scheme" for loans.

XIV. Enquiries