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By Arlene Furlong

One Team, One Goal: Improving Oral Health is the new theme for Dental Assistants Recognition Week 2008-2010. It describes dental assistants' commitment to patients and dentistry, their increasing involvement in various aspects of the dental practice.

During DARW 2008, set for March 2-8, dental assistants will celebrate their contribution to the profession through educational/ charity events and team-rewarding activities. Dentists find a variety of perks to show their respect for dental assistants' diverse contributions to the dental profession and the public.

"I'm old enough to remember when many dentists practiced by themselves," said Dr. Robert Shaw, chair of the Council on Dental Practice. "Today, all of us know we are not as effective when practicing in that mode, and that the quality of our work and the amount of care delivered is expanded tremendously when we utilize auxiliaries. I, for one, would never want to practice without my staff. I could not do the kind of dentistry I do without them. We all owe a great deal to the staff in our offices who help make good things happen in our practices."

Dental assistants 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 the employee surveys studied by the Council on Dental Practice.

Jointly recognized by the American Dental Assistants Association, the American Dental Association, the Canadian Dental Association and the Canadian Dental Assistants' Association, DARW is the week to honor dental assistants. The ADA urges dental assistants and offices to describe their activities and successes throughout the week for publication in The Dental Assistant, the ADAA Journal.

Check out a sampling of what some of last year's participants did to make DARW memorable:

• Posters announcing "Dental Assistants Are Our Crown Jewels" adorned the office, while dental assistants enjoyed cake and punch, goody bags and recognition certificates throughout the week at Peak Vista Community Health Centers Dental Clinic, Colorado Springs, Colo.
• A scheduled staff meeting was merely a ruse to lead the entire staff on a $50 in 50 minutes shopping spree at the mall. After this fast-paced adventure, dental assistants arrived back at the office for another surprise—a catered lunch during which everyone compared purchases at Eckley Orthodontics, Beckley, W.Va.
• Posters greeted patients in the reception area and dental assistants enjoyed a different gift each day, including personalized mobiles, gift bags, doughnuts and a pizza lunch, courtesy of dentists at Bearable Dentistry, Moscow, Idaho.
• Staff and their spouses were treated to a limousine ride to dinner at a local restaurant and given a personal care gift basket at Carolina Pediatric Dentistry in Raleigh, N.C.
• A picture of the practice's assistants was taken and sent to the local paper from New Town Dental Arts, Williamsburg, Va.
• Teri Rogers, dental assistant for Dr. D. Christian Aumock, visited a local elementary school to present a talk about nutrition and oral hygiene.
• All dental auxiliary personnel received a thank-you note from the clinic commander at the beginning of DARW. Midweek, a barbecue luncheon was served by the doctors. Friday afternoon, operations were suspended and the commander provided bowling and pizza for the entire staff of Baumholder Dental Clinic Command in Baumholder, Germany.
• An article was published in the Fort Campbell Courier to commemorate DARW and certificates of appreciation and roses were presented to dental assistants at Fort Campbell, in Fort Campbell, Ky.
• Students at Luzerne County Community College Dental Assisting Program observed DARW with outreach programs to a local elementary school and taught 7- and 8-year olds about the importance of oral health.
• Students at Waukesha County Technical College in Pewaukee, Wis. provided oral health instruction and hygiene kits to area schoolchildren. Nearby Marquette University School of Dentistry opened its doors to the dental assistant students for a clinical rotation.
• Every day brought a different treat and more recognition for the dental assistants at WAMC Dental Clinic in Fort Bragg, N.C. There were flowers and certificates of appreciation; buffet breakfast; pot-luck lunch; cake and ice cream; and finally, a luncheon for everyone on staff at the clinic.
• A faculty member at Ozarks Technical Community College in Springfield, Mo. sent DARW information to a local radio station contest and won a free buffet lunch for 100.

For article entry forms, ready to use ad slicks for state publications and promotional kits, download copies from ADA.org or e-mail dentalpractice@ada.org.

The ADA also offers a downloadable certificate that can be personalized, printed and framed for display, as well as a complete selection of personalized products at www.ada.org/prof/resources/topics/dentalpractice.asp#activities.

ADA CE Online offers 18 new courses for dental assistants and special pricing for dental team members. For more information, visit www.adaceonline.org.