3 reasons dental assistants deserve thanks
Thanksgiving is a time for expressing gratitude, including for dental assistants and the essential work they do. They manage numerous tasks in the office, from helping the dentist with procedures and comforting patients to overseeing infection control, updating patient charts, scheduling appointments, and so much more.
“Dental assistants are all so valuable!” says Nessa.
Amy agrees dental assistants deserve recognition, and that a little gratitude goes a long way: “Feeling appreciated by your doctor and your patients — and knowing you help people smile — is the best.”
To put it simply, there are countless reasons dental assistants deserve thanks and appreciation — and below are the top three!
They always put patients first.
Dental assistants have many important duties to perform, and one of their top priorities is providing patient care. Dedicated dental assistants go above and beyond to ensure patients feel comforted and cared for, from the very beginning of their dental appointment until they leave. Dental assistants strive to answer patients’ questions, hear and validate their concerns, and empathize with their experiences. Many say their patients thank them for helping them through their appointment.
Dental assistants say making a difference in patients’ lives is one of the top rewards of the role. “I love getting to know my patients,” agrees Diane. “I really like making people feel comfortable.”
They are dedicated teammates.
Dental assistants are essential team members, ensuring the dentist has what they need throughout the appointment to reach a successful treatment outcome for the patient. Dental assistants’ knowledge, skills, intuition to anticipate the dentists’ needs, and overall passion for the profession are recognized and appreciated.
Dental assistants also step up to support their dental team. In fact, being a team player is one of the top qualities they have! Dental assistants work hard behind the scenes to help the entire office run smoothly. Their organizational skills, compassionate spirit, knowledge, and experience all make a difference for patients and peers alike. Ultimately, dental assistants strive to uplift others, including their colleagues, who are very thankful for their efforts.
“Dental assistants are the core to any successful dental practice and should be respected and treated as such,” says Rebecca.
They strive to know and do more.
Dental assistants work hard to stay up to date on the latest research, techniques, and technology in dentistry, allowing them to deliver the best patient care, take on additional responsibilities, and be the best teammates possible. This takes time and dedication — often outside of normal working hours — and it shows up in dental assistants’ day-to-day office contributions when they’re going the extra mile.
Numerous dental assistants seek out education opportunities, such as the online options available through the DALE Foundation. And many have also earned DANB certification in order to further their knowledge and demonstrate their skill sets to teammates, employers, and patients.
“It’s a career, not just a job,” says an anonymous dental assistant. “I’ve put in a lot of time and effort into learning all of the different areas of the office and cross training.”