The need for DSA certification: the dental surgeons' perspective.

This study investigated the perceptions of dental surgeons on training and performance of Dental Surgery Assistants (DSAs). A questionnaire survey was sent to all practising dental surgeons in Singapore. It was found that 8.2% of respondents felt that the current standard of DSAs was good while 80.5% felt that the current standard was either adequate or poor. 71.5% felt that there was a need for DSA certification and 76.5% reported that they would send their DSAs for certification training. The results suggest an underlying need for formal training towards DSA certification.