What is an oral surgery assistant?

An oral surgery assistant helps a dentist with surgical operations. As an oral surgery assistant, your duties are to prepare patients and the operating room for the dentist. Specifically, you sterilize instruments and lay them out in an organized fashion, have a patient’s X-rays and chart on hand for the dental surgeon or periodontist, and prepare the patient by applying topical anesthetic and explaining the procedure. During oral surgery, you monitor anesthesia, help with suction, and keep the patient’s mouth clear. You also take notes and document the procedure for the dentist.