The ADA Council on Dental Practice is encouraging dentists to acknowledge the commitment and dedication of their dental assistants during Dental Assistants Recognition Week, March 3 to March 9.
The American Dental Assistants Association chose this year’s theme, “Today’s Dental Assistant—Polished, Poised, and Professional,” to acknowledge the growing importance of dentistry’s role in healthcare and the responsibilities of dental assistants.
“Every day is a good day to recognize our dental assistants for their unique and diverse contributions to the delivery of great care for our patients,” said Stacey K. Van Scoyoc, DDS, chair of the Council on Dental Practice.
“Dental assistants are vital to the success of the dental practice, and it’s exciting that careers in dental assisting continue to diversify and expand. Dental assistants do much more than work chairside with the dentist,” Van Scoyoc said.
“They take x-rays, schedule patients, sterilize instruments, order supplies, manage the day-to-day business of the office, provide patient instruction, contact benefits administrators and sales representatives, to name a few of the tasks in their job description,” Van Scoyoc said.
“The dental assistants in my practice allow me to serve my patients with the highest quality of care and customer service,” Van Scoyoc said.
The ADA, American Dental Assistants Association, Canadian Dental Assistants Association, and Canadian Dental Association jointly recognize the week.
Many dental assistants will observe the week by participating in educational and charity events and other team activities. Dentists may show their gratitude for their assistants’ contributions and service by providing perks such as luncheons, flowers, or treats.
Each year, the American Dental Assistants Association urges dental assistants to recap their activities and successes throughout the week and submit them for possible publication in The Dental Assistant, which is the organization’s journal.
Dental team members can download a kit that includes ideas for news releases, an overview of social media to promote the week, sample proclamations and public service announcements, and in-house promotions. It also includes examples of what last year’s participants did to recognize the week.
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