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Diploma in Dental Surgery Assisting 

A Dental Surgery Assistant assists the dentist at the chairside with the care of patients before, during and after treatment.
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Course Introduction 

This course provides theoretical and clinical practice training for Student Dental Surgery Assistants. In the academic year 2026/27, the Hospital will admit eligible local students to attend the 1-year Full-time or 2-year Part-time (Day) training diploma course. Students who have successfully completed and passed the course, will be awarded the Diploma in Dental Surgery Assisting.

Study Mode

Full-time or
Part-time (Day)

Commencement Date

17 August 2026

Tentative

Duration

Full-time: 1-year
Part-time (Day): 2-year

Tuition Fee

Full-time: HK$28,000
Part-time (Day): HK$14,000

per academic year ^*

^ In 2 equal instalments

* Subject to revision of the course fee; and non-refundable unless the course is cancelled

  1. Five subjects, including English Language, attaining Level 2 or above in HKDSE *^ , or equivalent; or
  2. Five subjects, including English Language#, attaining Grade E/ Level 2 or above in HKCEE, or equivalent; or
  3. Diploma of Applied Education / Diploma Yi Jin, or equivalent qualification(s); or
  4. Aged 21 or above at the start of the commencing academic year; or
  5. Minimum 1-year full-time working experience as a Dental Surgery Assistant.
  6. Applicants for the 2-year Part-time (Day) course should be currently employed and will continue to work as a DSA if they are accepted for the course.

* Apart from English Language, the other four subjects could be:
– “Attained” or above in Applied Learning (ApL) subjects [subject to a maximum of two ApL subjects], or
– Grade E or above in other language subjects
^ “Attained” in Citizenship and Social Development is regarded as equivalent to an HKDSE subject at Level 2
# For English Language (Syllabus A) in pre-2007 HKCEE, only Grade C or above will be considered.

All interested parties please complete the electronic application form here: https://apply.ppdh.org.hk/public/form/3b54a58a29324491a3e17c9ab5a27b4f

A non-refundable application fee of HK$180 is required for each course application, payable in cash or by cheque. If paying by crossed cheque, please ensure it is made payable to “The Prince Philip Dental Hospital” and that sufficient funds are available in the bank account. In case of a bounced cheque, the Hospital reserves the right to disqualify the application immediately. Please write the 1) Course name, 2) Applicant’s name, and 3) Applicant’s contact number on the back of the cheque.

Para-dental Training Centre
Room 5B13, 5/F
The Prince Philip Dental Hospital
34 Hospital Road, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong

Learning Outcomes 

Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:
Outcome 1
Assist the dentist at the chairside with the care of patients before, during and after treatment;
Outcome 2
Apply knowledge of infection control in the maintenance of environment, instruments and equipment in the dental clinic; and
Outcome 3
Provide dental health education to patients for prevention of dental diseases e.g. caries, periodontal diseases and erosion.

Qualities of a Dental Surgery Assistant 

Attention to Details
Good Communication Skills

Course Structure 

  1. Classes will mainly cover the following areas:

    • Occupational Health and Safety
    • Dental Diseases – Cause, Diagnosis and Prevention
    • Dental Technology
    • Anatomy and Physiology
    • Microbiology
    • Infection Control
    • Medical Emergencies (including First Aid ^)
    • Dental Treatment Procedures
    • Communication Skills
    • Use of English

  2. Observation or practical chairside assisting in different disciplines like Paediatric Dentistry, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, etc.

  3. Dental Health Education Project

  4. Visits to private dental clinics, Government Oral Health Education Division or schools for children/ adults having special educational needs

^ The First Aid course related fee to be borne by the students

Teaching Mode 

  • Lecture
  • Small group teaching
  • Clinical observation
  • Demonstration
  • Practical training
  • Group projects

Assessment 

  • Continuous assessment
  • Written examination
  • Charting examination
  • Spotter examination
  • Practical examination
  • Viva examination

Class Schedule 

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

1-year Full-time :             Monday – Friday   8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
2-year Part-time (Day)* : Monday – Friday   8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

* Including several weeks of full-day classes.

Career Prospect 

Graduates may apply for dental surgery assistant position in the organisations below:

  • The Prince Philip Dental Hospital
  • Government dental clinic
  • Medical group / Private hospital
  • Clinics of dental practitioners
  • Education institute / Non-governmental organisation

Happy Moments 

Graduates of Diploma in Dental Surgery Assisting 2024/25 (photo taken on 17 December 2025)

Congratulations to graduate Ms TANG Chi Ching, Prize Recipient of the Board of Governors Prize (photo taken on 17 December 2025)

Promotion of Para-dental Training courses at HKTDC Education & Careers Expo from 22 January to 25 January 2026

Promotion of Para-dental Training courses at HKTDC Education and Careers Expo from 22 January to 25 January 2026

Enquiries 

Para-dental Training Centre of the Hospital: 2859 0543 / 2859 0477