Every year, the first full week in March is dedicated to dental assistants and the incredible work that they do to help you smile with confidence. This year, Dental Assistants Recognition Week (DARW) begins on March 6 (and continues until March 12).
Get involved and show your gratitude toward your local dental assistant!
DARW was initiated by the American Dental Assistants Association as a way to recognize multi-talented dental assistants working in the United States and Canada. Thanks to these hardworking dental professionals, patients receive quality and professional dental care.
At Eriks Dental Group, we deeply value our team of dental assistants serving Boynton Beach. We’ve put together a few reasons to thank a dental assistant this week, as well as a few tips on how to do so!
5 Reasons to Thank a Dental Assistant
Dental assistants offer great value to the dental team, helping in many ways and playing an essential role in the dentistry rooms.
1. Streamline Patient Care
Dental assistants are vital to the smooth running of any dental practice. Consider some of the following tasks completed by a dental assistant on a daily basis:
- Help with dental procedures such as fillings, crowns, and extractions
- Pour dental impressions
- Physically and mentally prepare patients for surgery
- Operate monitors and equipment
- Communicate with patients
- Execute administrative tasks
- Prepare the examination area and sterilize equipment
- Clean up after procedures
Thanks to dental assistants, patient care is streamlined and efficient. Organization, attention to detail, and efficiency are all attributes of a skilled dental assistant.
2. Reliable Knowledge
In order to do their job effectively, dental assistants need to be up to date with best practices and industry updates. Dentists rely on the knowledge of their dental assistants to perform their jobs with confidence.
Not only do dental assistants serve as a second pair of eyes or hands during procedures, but they communicate with the patient and help to answer any questions.
3. Personalized Compassion
A dental assistant has the important task of speaking with the patient and preparing them for a consultation or procedure. Whether the patient is undergoing cosmetic dentistry procedures or more intimidating root canal therapy, the dental assistant is there to offer a personal, compassionate touch.
4. Fantastic Team Players
Dental assistants are skilled in juggling multiple tasks throughout the day. Their versatile skill set and eagerness to help make the perfect combination for picking up the pieces and ensuring that everything runs smoothly.
5. Going the Extra Mile
Working as a dental assistant offers much room to grow and improve. As a result, dental assistants are usually hungry to learn and put a lot of effort into their work. Between completing their education and offering top-class patient care, dental assistants are hard workers who are willing to go above and beyond.
Tips to Show Your Appreciation for Dental Assistants
Are you feeling overwhelmed and wondering how to show appreciation during DARW? The following tips are a great starting point:
- Be visible with your appreciation by buying balloons or flowers (this will also show patients how valued the dental assistant at the practice)
- Personalize your appreciation by highlighting something specific that you value about the dental assistant
- Buy a small, tangible gift, such as a coffee every morning or a gift card to their favorite store
- Be intentional about thanking the dental assistant for their smallest actions
A Shout Out to Dental Assistants at Eriks Dental Group
At Eriks Dental Group, our team of specialized dental specialists wouldn’t be able to do our job as well as we do without our valued dental assistants. In honor of DARW, and the work that our dental assistants do during all other weeks of the year, we’d like to say a big thank you, and we appreciate you!
If you live in the broader Boynton Beach area and you’re in need of quality dental services, then our friendly and helpful team of specialists and assistants is a phone call away. Contact us at 561-733-4004 or book an appointment online here.