Career Progression of Dental Surgery Assistants

Ms K Thanaletchimi asked the Minister for Health (a) whether the career progression of dental surgery assistants can be enhanced and their skills upgraded as part of a strategic manpower plan; (b) whether their jobs can be professionalised through deep skilling; and (c) whether the registration or licensing of dental surgery assistants can be considered.

Mr Gan Kim Yong: The National Dental Centre and Singapore Dental Association jointly run a National Institute of Technical Education Certificate (NITEC) in Dental Assisting Programme. The programme trains between 25 to 30 Dental Surgery Assistants (DSA) annually.

After they start their job, DSAs have further opportunities to upgrade their skills professionally. For example, besides undergoing training that enable them to better prepare dental surgeries and assist dental surgeons during procedures, they may also undertake courses in infection control, managing patients with mobility impairments, and emergency management. DSAs who perform well may progress to become Senior DSAs who have larger responsibilities such as coordinating the operations at dental clinics and teaching and training new DSAs.

As DSAs assist the dental surgeons but do not treat or manage patients directly, our assessment is that registration and licensing of DSAs is not necessary. Dental surgeons are ultimately responsible for the safety and standards of care to patients who undergo dental surgery.