Whether it’s time for your biannual dental checkup and cleaning, you’re in need of restorative care, or you’re interested in a cosmetic smile upgrade, there is a lot of preparation and work that goes into ensuring your experience is a pleasant one. While creating a seamless, safe, enjoyable dental office is a team effort, there is one teeth-saving, multi-tasking pro that stands out: dental assistants. In fact, the first week of March is dedicated to showing appreciation for all these staff members do! Keep reading to learn a few of their essential responsibilities and how you can show your gratitude.
An Inside Look at Your Dental Assistant’s Day
Before you arrive for your appointment and long after you’re gone, your dental assistant is hard at work. But what is it that they do exactly? Here are a few crucial responsibilities they spearhead on a daily basis:
- Preparation – Even before COVID-19, your dental assistant took extensive measures to follow proper sanitation best practices put forth by organizations like the American Dental Association and the Occupational Health and Safety Administration. In light of the current pandemic, however, they are implementing strict cleaning procedures, including CDC-approved instrument sterilization and thorough cleanings after each appointment.
- Assisting your dentist – Of course, a primary responsibility of your dental assistant is assisting the doctor. This can include taking X-rays beforehand, handling instruments during the procedure, and providing post-care instructions at the end of the appointment.
- Administrative tasks – In addition to patient-facing tasks, your dental assistant helps the office run efficiently by ordering supplies, scheduling appointments, submitting claims, and the like. So, it’s safe to say that they are quite the multi-taskers!
How You Can Show Your Dental Assistant You Appreciate Them
If you are inspired to take the time to show your dental assistant just how much you appreciate all they do, here are a few gift ideas:
- Bagels or pastries from a local bakery.
- Audible audiobooks.
- A gift card to your favorite coffee shop.
- A thank you card.
- Flowers.
Your trip to the dentist wouldn’t be as enjoyable or seamless without the help of talented, skilled dental assistants. If you haven’t already, make sure to show your appreciation!
About the Practice
Dr. Doug Clark Jr., Dr. Doug Clark, III, and our team at Hill Avenue Dental want everyone to experience the high-quality, personalized, seamless dental care they deserve – that wouldn’t be possible without our dental assistant, Pam! She has been with our team for over two full decades now, and year after year she continues to use her pleasant personality and patient-driven approach to care to ensure each patient’s experience with us is phenomenal. If you are interested in learning more about our team or would like to schedule an appointment, visit our website or give us a call at 715-392-5161.