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By Arlene Furlong

The importance of dental assistants' sense of fulfillment in their professional careers can't be underestimated, says Dr. Gordon Isbell III on observing Dental Assistants Recognition Week March 5-11.

"Their morale comes with knowing they have the opportunity to grow in the team effort to deliver to each and every patient the highest quality dentistry possible," says the chair of the Council on Dental Practice. "We, as dentists, should give them this opportunity and recognize their value."

That's recognition well-deserved, according to Dr. Douglas Schmidt. His Indianapolis practice earned first-place in the dental practice category in the annual DARW 2005 contest. Dr. Schmidt hung a banner at the lobby's entrance to alert all of the dentists, physicians, nurses, staff and patients in the building that it was DARW. On Friday, the office closed early. Each staff member was treated to a movie, a personal thank-you note and a flower with a fresh $100 bill wrapped around its stem.

"I just want to take any opportunity I can to give feedback to such a hard-working staff," says Dr. Schmidt. "Some things are worth a lot more than money and recognition is one of them."

Dental assistants and hygienists consistently report that appreciation for staff efforts is key to professional satisfaction. Employees want feedback, they want to feel appreciated and they want opportunities for professional development, according to employee surveys studied by the ADA Council on Dental Practice.

"It means so much to us all to be honored in this way," says Mary Wiethoff, a dental hygienist in Dr. Schmidt's pediatric practice. "It's very rewarding to be part of a practice that does so much for its patients and recognizes a job well done."

University Park Endodontics, Leawood, Kan., won second-place among dental offices with its celebrations, which included displaying a banner with each of the dental assistant's names. The week ended with a trip to a day spa for pampering.

"It's important to set aside time just for them," says the endodontic practice's Dr. Sarah Wilhite about observing DARW. "It's something we don't have to do, but want to do. That knowledge makes a difference to both our staff and patients."

Carol Nickelson, office manager there for the past 10 years, says the entire dental team looks forward to the week every year.

Prizes: Handsome awards await winners.

"It's the recognition that boosts morale," says Ms. Nickelson. "It makes everyone feel better about themselves."

Midland Empire Dental Assistant Association won first place in its category in 2005. Members reached out to their community by donating food and clothing to the needy in honor of their profession.

Patsy Klein says association members don't think of their work as a job, but as a career.

"We work hard and like to be recognized," says Ms. Klein. "Earning the award for our efforts in DARW 2005 meant a lot to us."

The dental assisting school at Pima Medical Institute, Seattle, won first place in its category for educational efforts at a local day care center and at the Institute. The program got its official start with a proclamation from Washington's governor.

"The event and the recognition gives us a lot of pride in our profession," says Karen Rebiger, dental assisting instructor.

The American Dental Association, the American Dental Assistants Association, the Canadian Dental Association, the Canadian Dental Assistants Association and the U.S. Army Dental Command designate DARW as the time to acknowledge dental assistants' unique talents.

A promotional contest is held each year to learn what dentists, dental assisting associations, schools and other organizations do to honor their dental assistants during this week.

Types of activities taking place during DARW typically fall into two categories—educational/ charity events and team rewarding activities. Examples of educational charity events are dental assisting career promotions, donations of dental and other health-care items, and demonstrations of proper dental hygiene at community schools. Team rewarding activities span a range—from providing refreshments to a full day of pampering at a spa.

DARW participants and dentists can enter the competition by describing in 100 words or less how they celebrated DARW 2006 and ensuring the entry is postmarked by April 7. Participants should send a photo of their dental team with the entry for publication in an issue of ADA News.

For entry forms, ready-to-use ad slicks for your state publication and promotional kits, call the ADA toll-free, Ext. 2895 or download copies from ADA.org.

For photo submission specifications for ADA News and other DARW information, e-mail Joan Dietrich, dental team activities and publications, at dietrichj@ada.org.

Need a little special something for your dental assistant? The ADA Catalog offers a silver picture frame with the DARW logo that will display a 4-by-6 inch picture. The item number is J622, available through the ADA Catalog or by calling 1-800-947-4746.

Now available for all staff, the ADA at ADA.org offers a downloadable anniversary certificate that can be personalized for any dental team member and framed for display at ADA.org.