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On the website of the SSO the professions around the tooth are described in detail.
Assistant dentist
The assistant dentist works in a dependent capacity as an employee of a dentist in the latter’s practice. The holder of the practice permit is personally responsible for the clinical activities of the assistant dentist (Art. 23 of the Professional Code of Conduct of the SSO).
The dependent university medical staff must be included in the emergency service by the self-employed person responsible for them (§ 17 Health Ordinance).
Article 23 of the Professional Code of Conduct of the SSO no longer provides for a limit on the number of employed dentists per practice owner. However, the Health Directorate of the Canton of Zug authorizes a self-employed university medical professional with a full-time workload to assist other university medical professionals of the same profession only up to a maximum of 100 percent (§ 11 Health Ordinance). The practice owner must obtain a permit from the Cantonal Medical Service of the Canton of Zug (Medizinalamt) before the assistant starts work.
Dental hygienist DH
The dental hygienist works as a competent, largely independent member of the dental team. She removes supra- and especially subgingival plaque and calculus (deep scaling, root planing). Prophylactically, the DH educates the patient about the causes, progression and consequences of caries and periodontal disease and instructs proper oral hygiene. Terminal anesthesia by the DH is only permitted under the supervision of the dentist and after further training with a cantonally recognized course certificate.
The employed DH may also work in the absence of the dentist. However, she may not perform terminal anesthesia or treat high-risk patients without supervision. Responsibility always remains with the dentist.
DH services are generally billed according to the time tariff with position 4.1110. Other permitted positions are x-rays (4.0500) terminal anesthesia (4.0650) and alginate impression by the DH (4.0890); all other services fall under position 4.1110 (source: SSO Internum 6/2006).
Prophylaxis assistant PA
The prophylaxis assistant is a trained dental assistant with an SSO advanced training title in prophylaxis. She removes supragingival plaque and instructs her patients in oral hygiene. She works independently under the supervision of the dentist. The PA-commitment (PDF) also allows alginate impressions and non-abrasive bleaching measures. In nursing homes and hospitals, the prophylaxis assistant can work without direct dental supervision, provided she has additional training in geriatric dental care recognized by the SSO and has a permit from the cantonal health authority.
The work performed by the PA must be billed according to the tariff for item 4.1120. Since the layperson is not familiar with the difference between a DH and a PA, the patient should be informed and educated in detail before the first treatment.
Dental Assistant DA
The dental assistant is the indispensable, closest associate of the dentist who performs essential tasks in the dental care of patients with a great deal of personal responsibility.
The dental assistant has a choice of continuing education options. Personal further training in the dental practice to deepen the knowledge acquired and thus consolidate the position in the team (senior dental assistant) – as well as further training to become a dental secretary, prophylaxis assistant and dental hygienist.