Dentists share their thanks during Dental Assistants Recognition Week
Dental Assistants Recognition Week (DARW) is a time to honor and celebrate everything dental assistants contribute to their practices. And no one knows more about dental assistants’ valuable efforts than the dentists they work with day in and day out.
To celebrate DARW this year, DANB reached out to dentists across the country to get their perspectives on the importance of dental assistants and give them an opportunity to say “thank you.”
Dr. Cole Sutak
Lone Star Smiles (Lubbock, TX)
“I am incredibly grateful for my incredible dental assistants and the invaluable role they play in our practice. Their expertise, compassion, and dedication make all the difference in creating a positive experience for our patients and in the smooth operation of our practice. My assistants are often the first point of contact for my patients, and their calming presence helps ease anxiety and foster trust. They keep everything running efficiently by preparing materials, assisting during procedures, and ensuring that all safety protocols are met, but most importantly, dental assistants are connecting with my patients and making sure they are comfortable while in my chair.
Beyond their technical skills, it’s the way they anticipate needs and adapt to challenges that truly sets dental assistants apart. They are an integral part of my team, often stepping in to support not just me, but our entire team. Their hard work allows us to provide exceptional care, keep the practice organized, and maintain a high level of patient satisfaction. Without their dedication and teamwork, our practice wouldn’t be as successful as it is today.”
Dr. Mark McDonough
Dr. Mark McDonough Orthodontist LLC (Pennington, NJ)
“When I think of the dental assistants who I have worked with during the past 30 years, I would simply say that I have been blessed to be associated with a great group of people. There is no way that our practice can succeed every day without their help and compassion for our patients. Their work is valuable and allows us to treat a wide range of patients efficiently and successfully.
I am reminded of how valuable each assistant is on the days when one of them can’t come to work. The day is not the same. An important player on our team is missing and every other team member needs to step up and fill in. I am glad to say that the other assistants do that well, but it is clear that in order to function well, we need the entire team to be present. Each member is valuable.
On behalf of dentists, I want to thank all assistants for what you do every day, and know that you are making a valuable contribution to people’s lives. There are so many studies that show how valuable dental care is to the health of the body. Besides the health benefits, a beautiful smile literally opens doors for our patients for the rest of their lives. An attractive, healthy smile is one of the greatest gifts one can receive.”
Dr. Todd Halonen
Halonen Dentistry (Battle Creek, MI)
“Halonen Dentistry has a highly trained team of dental assistants that has been instrumental to our practice success. They skillfully converse with patients, building rapport through appointments. They hold low-pressure consultations, which enables patients to make informed decisions, built on trust. Their organization of treatment rooms and management of supplies, medications, and lab cases ensures that every procedure runs efficiently. We are each challenged for lifelong learning and push one another to build our skills and take on more. Ultimately, our success is fueled by the team’s energy for the greater good of our practice, our patients, and each other. I rely and care so much for my team; I couldn’t do it without them.”
Dr. Thomas Dooley
Cedar Village Dentistry (Mason, OH)
“We absolutely love our dental assistants and all that they do to help make a difference in our community. I do not know what we would do without them. They brighten our patients’ days and help our patients become healthier each and every day. It truly is a privilege to work side by side knowing that together we can bring smiles to our patients’ faces and help make an impact together. As a team, we continue to grow together. Thank you to all the dental assistants and for all of your hard work! We could not do this without you.”
Dr. Cami Hovda
Carmel Dental Group (Carmel, IN)
“It feels funny to only have one week each year to recognize the dental assistant profession. The dental assistants we work alongside are a positive driving force, with their collective expertise, skill, and community engagement. They work incredibly hard, ensuring every patient has an exceptional experience while at the same time providing their teammates with encouragement, collaborative effort, and feedback. The many hats they wear each day are astounding, and I hope they know the difference they always make. The difference they make cannot be measured. The feeling of accomplishment and joy in knowing patients were in the best hands — and hands that have years of dedication to the profession — is something I am always proud to witness. I’m so grateful to work alongside caring individuals who also strive for being their best selves every day and to provide the best care and working environment. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”
Dr. Sodabeh Etminan
UI Health Mile Square Dental (Chicago, IL)
“At the UI Health Mile Square Health Center, it takes a team to ensure a smooth patient experience and quality care. We are grateful for our dental assistants (many of whom are graduates of our program!) for taking the extra time to pay attention to detail, build relationships with our patients, and work well together as a team. We have many sites and, even despite the distances between the sites, the assistants across the board work cohesively and allow each patient to have a positive experience with us. Thank you to all of our dental assistants!”
The staff of Mott Children’s Health Center
Mott Children’s Health Center (Flint, MI)
“Dear Jenn, Ryley H., Mattahya, Kelly, Ronda, Amy, Shawnie, Nikki, Lisa C., Rochelle, Jean, DaNaiah, Paige, Danielle, Rhiley W., and Kerri,
You guys are the most reliable, dedicated people I know, and it is such a pleasure to work with you. You go out of your way to make our patients and parents feel comfortable, and it really makes our jobs easier. You are compassionate, empathetic, efficient, and hard-working, and you always face challenges with a smile. I know that you are working here because you care about the kids and the community that we serve. I really love how you care for each other and truly feel like family. You know how to play pranks, and make us laugh when we need it, and you definitely put together the best potluck parties! Thank you for everything that you do!” — Dr. Maryam Kishta-Derani
“MCHC’s dental assistants go above and beyond for every patient and family. They contribute to the outstanding practice we have and the quality of care we provide. We are proud to have each MCHC dental assistant as a part of our Mott family!” — Leigh Ann Albro, Clinical Manager
“Thank you for all your hard work and dedication! Every one of you is awesome!” — Dr. Joo Young Rhee
“We all appreciate our amazing dental assistants at MCHC so much — your hard work, dedication, and kindness are the reason we’re able to care for so many kiddos each day! From keeping everything running smoothly to making our young patients feel comfortable and safe, you are truly the heart of our team. Thank you for all that you do!” — Dr. Stephanie Fotouhi
“I observe and overhear many cute and touching conversations with our pediatric patients from the time they are taken from the waiting room to the time they leave our practice. Our dental assistants knock it out of the park with their thoughtful communication, joking to break the ice, and their genuine concern and ability to calm our patients and parents while they are here in our building. Nothing they do goes unnoticed. We appreciate each and every one of our dental assistants.” — Tina Kosten, Administrative Dental Manager