National Dental Assistants Recognition Week (also known as NDARW) occurs during the first full week in March. It’s the time of year to recognize and acknowledge the dental assistants who make modern dentistry possible.

As their name implies, dental assistants assist with various dental procedures, such as fillings and extractions, operate equipment and monitors, sterilize equipment, and prepare patients for surgery.

During this week, people are encouraged to give thanks to their dental assistants and perhaps do something nice for them, like giving them a card. People can also post their positive experiences with dental assistants on social media using the hashtag #NationalDentalAssistantsRecognitionWeek.

The History of Dental Assistants Recognition Week

Although modern dentistry only goes back to the 19th century, people have been practicing primitive dentistry for over 9,000 years. Archaeological evidence shows that Stone Age people practiced a form of dentistry in the Indus River Valley.

In 1917, the first dental assistant society was founded in Nebraska, and a few years later, a second one was founded in New York. In 1925, the American Dental Assistants Association, also known as the ADAA, was founded. Although we’re unsure when this holiday week was created, we do know that it was created by the ADAA.

Facts About Dental Assistants

Let’s do a deep dive into the jobs performed by dental assistants and see if we can’t learn a few more things about their profession. We’ve listed some facts below to pique everyone’s interest in this field of dentistry.

• Most dental assistants work normal office hours, unlike doctors who have to work odd hours or be on call.
• About 44,000 positions for dental assistants open up every year.
• In 2022, the average hourly pay for a dental assistant was $19.80.

Observing Dental Assistants Recognition Week

Let’s all work together during this week to give dental assistants the respect they deserve and to show them that their efforts are appreciated.

This can be done by giving a dental assistant a gift, or if they’re a member of your family, taking them out to lunch. People can also learn more about dental assistants and perhaps take steps to become one during this week.