OH8.2025 Provide chairside support during extraction and minor oral surgery procedures

Overview

This standard is about providing chairside support during extraction and minor oral surgery procedures. Dental procedures may be carried out in general dental practices, public dental services and in hospital settings. Users of this standard will need to ensure their practice reflects up to date information and policies.

Knowledge and Understanding

1. The basic structure of the maxilla and mandible including nerve and blood supply to teeth and supporting structures
2. The anatomy, structure and function of teeth and periodontium including the number of roots
3. Regional anatomy of the head and neck and dental anatomy
4. Reasons why extraction of teeth may be necessary
5. The purpose of removing roots and unerupted teeth, different forms which this may take and relationships to other forms of dental treatments
6. The purpose and reasons for raising mucoperiosteal flaps and your role in providing chairside support for these procedures
7. The purpose and reasons for tooth sectioning and bone removal and your role in providing chairside support for these procedures
8. Potential risks and complications that may arise during and after extractions including those related to nerve damage, haemorrhage, oro-antral fistulas
9. Standard Infection Control Precautions and how to apply these
10.The importance of maintaining sterile fields for minor oral surgery
11.Functions of equipment, instruments, materials and medicaments used in:
• extraction of erupted teeth
• extraction of unerupted teeth and roots
• administrating local anaesthesia
12.Methods of protecting and retracting the soft tissues and how to apply these
13.Methods of aspirating during treatment and how to apply these
14.How to monitor and support individuals, and manage anxiety
15.Different forms of pain and anxiety control available in dentistry
16.How to assist in haemostasis, including assisting placement and cutting of sutures, and preparing packs
17.How to provide post-operative instructions or information to individuals on care of mouth, post-extraction haemorrhage and suture removal including how to access emergency care and advice
18.Resource management considerations for providing care decisions including appropriate uses of primary and secondary care networks
19.Different methods of waste disposal and how to apply these

Performance Criteria

1. Retrieve and make available individuals records to identify planned treatments in accordance with workplace procedures
2. Apply Standard Infection Control Precautions and take other appropriate health and safety measures in accordance with workplace procedures
3. Select and arrange equipment, instruments, materials and medicaments in accordance with dental extraction or minor oral surgery procedures
4. Provide support during administration of local analgesia in accordance with dental procedures
5. Protect individuals’ soft tissues using instruments, materials and irrigation appropriate to procedures to maintain clear fields of operation
6. Monitor individuals during procedures to identify complications, taking necessary actions in accordance with workplace procedures and within your own scope of practice
7. Assist clinical operators in placement and cutting of sutures where appropriate to procedure, and prepare post-operative dressing in accordance with workplace procedures
8. Provide post-operative instructions in accordance with the dental procedures, advising individuals on how to access emergency care and advice
9. Dispose of waste in accordance with all relevant legislation, guidelines, and workplace procedures

Additional Information

This National Occupational Standard was developed by Skills for Health. Final version approved February 2025.