8 Ways to Celebrate Your Dental Assistants
Dental Assistants Recognition Week (DARW) begins March 3rd and the AADOM Tribe has provided some great ideas for recognizing these valuable team members in your practice. Break out the confetti and dental floss, because it’s time to celebrate your dental superheroes. From keeping patients smiling bright to assisting dentists with precision, these hard-working team members deserve a spotlight of their own. It’s time to celebrate their dedication and careers with 8 fantastic ways to show our appreciation.
Heartfelt Conversations
There is nothing easier than giving a genuine “Thank You” and compliment to your team member. While gift-giving is a “satisfier,” words of thanks and encouragement from leadership in the practice are the true motivators. Tell them what specifically they do well and how they enhance the patient experience in your practice. Personalized compliments and recognition from leadership can truly motivate and uplift them.
Handwritten Notes
Along with saying thank you, a handwritten note goes a long way. The lost art of handwritten notes requires time and thoughtfulness, a thoughtful gesture that demonstrates gratitude and shows value for their contributions.
Yummy Treats
Buying breakfast, lunch, or yummy treats for the team is a sure way to celebrate. Find out your dental assistant’s favorite snacks or restaurants and bring them in! One thing to remember – make sure you give them a solid break to ENJOY the celebration!
Self-Care Gifts
Can anyone say, “Burn out”? Giving the gift of self-care is a wonderful way to show you about their well-being. Take them for a pedicure, bring in a masseuse, and have 10-minute neck and shoulder massages, or how about a salt lamp and body lotions? It is more about their work ethic and productivity in the office, investing in their relaxation and rejuvenation promotes a healthy work-life balance.
Career Advancements
When was the last time you talked to your assistants about their CAREERS? Offer to pay for advanced certifications and courses. Do they want to attend a conference? Send them! Giving them means furthering their dental knowledge, which not only celebrates them as dental assistants but also will enhance what they bring to the patient experience in your practice. Have a dental assistant who would also shine in an administrative role? Check out AADOM’s “Dental Assistant to Practice Administrator (DA to PA) Curriculum.”
Share the Celebration
SOCIALS, SOCIALS, SOCIALS! Showcase the celebration on your social media. Document the festivities, post pics and bios of your dental assistants, and ask your patients to share their favorite experience with a dental assistant in a Google review.
Give a Plant
Flowers die. Plants can last a long time when nurtured. Just like your team! Instead of traditional flowers, gift long-lasting plants as a symbol of growth and appreciation. Plants serve as reminders of your team’s value and can brighten up their workspace.
Gift Cards
Everyone appreciates a monetary gift, just personalize it! Where do they like to shop? Is there a restaurant or coffee shop they adore? Is there an experience (like paint night, ax throwing, wreck-it-room), they have been wanting to do? Don’t forget to couple it with a handwritten note!
Celebrating dental assistants is not just about recognizing their hard work; it’s about showing appreciation for the dedication and care they bring to the dental practice every day. So, take the time to celebrate your dental assistants and let them know just how valued they are as integral members of your team.
About the Author:
Savanah Carlson, DAADOM
Savanah Carlson is the current Director of Member Services for the American Association of Dental Office Management (AADOM), overseeing the member service team that works with dental administrative professionals by providing them with resources and the education needed for dental practices to thrive. She has been in the dental field since 2010, with expertise ranging from social media marketing to positive work culture to effective conflict resolution. Savanah’s career includes impressive roles at Lund Dental Associates, wherein her 10-year tenure she progressed from a Patient & Social Media Coordinator to Assistant Office Manager and eventually Office Manager. She successfully managed tasks such as hiring and onboarding, creating and implementing the practice’s In-House Membership Plan, professional branding and marketing, HIPAA compliance, patient communication, and team training.
She successfully completed all three levels of the AADOM Designation program, receiving her Diplomate (DAADOM) in September of 2023. Savanah was President of AADOM Boston and developed the organization’s hybrid model virtual/in-person membership structure to ensure dental professionals around the country could collaborate with their peers.
Aside from being a smile enthusiast and dental leader, Savanah encourages and motivates dental professionals to pursue their education and strive for excellence in their careers. Savanah Carlson’s dedication and expertise make her an invaluable asset in the dental field, consistently delivering exceptional results and driving the success of dental leaders.
