Each year during the first full week of March is the American Dental Assistants Association’s Dental Assistant Recognition Week! This year it is recognized March 5th-11th. Each of the Ross Medical Education Center campuses that offers the Dental Assistant program takes time during this special week to recognize those working out in the field and their very own students in the Dental Assistant program as they represent the future healthcare professionals in this position. All of the Ross staff and faculty members know that dental assistants are a vital part of the dental team whether they are helping a patient from behind the front desk or performing clinical tasks.
Once in the field, dental assistants perform a variety of basic patient care duties as well as assist dentists during many clinical procedures. Actually, of all of the members of the dental team, dental assistants may have the most diverse set of duties in the office. They can be found asking about a patient’s medical history, taking and developing x-rays, teaching patients good oral hygiene strategies, taking blood pressure and pulse, and even taking impressions of a patient’s teeth. They work hard to make sure that patients feel comfortable and at ease throughout the dental office experience through direct care.
Although dental assistants perform a variety of clinical tasks in a dental office, they are also frequently found completing many administrative tasks. Some of these may include communicating with patients at the front desk, completing office management tasks on the computer and using paper files, and doing billing and supply ordering among other tasks.
With the wide variety of skills needed, it’s clear that dental assistants are a crucial piece of the dental office team. It is important that dental assistants are hardworking and detail oriented, as they are often the person that spends the most time with the patient. Also, with so many people that are apprehensive about a visit to the dentist, it is imperative that the dental assistant is also sensitive and understanding. The American Dental Association knows how hard dental assistants work and for that reason set aside an entire week to recognize their hard work and commitment to the field.
All of us at Ross want to thank and recognize each and every one of the hardworking and dedicated dental assistants out there providing excellent patient care and promoting good dental hygiene. We also want to recognize the many future dental assistants at many of our campuses. We are so proud of each of the dental assistant students at our campuses and the hard work and commitment they exhibit every day as they move toward their desired career in the healthcare field. Make sure to thank the dental assistants in your life!