Why dental assistants are the heart of the practice
There are many moving parts in a dental office. From the administrative work in the front office to the clinical needs in the back, and everything in between, all team members must be in sync to keep the practice on schedule and deliver excellent patient care. And dental assistants are the heart behind it all.
Whenever and wherever they’re needed, dental assistants are always ready to support their patients and teammates. Much like the heart continuously pumps blood through the body, a dental assistant impacts the entire dental office — and every person in it.
“We are relied on by everybody,” says Tosha Gurley, DISIPC, RDA. “It’s not just the doctor; it’s not just the front office. It’s hygiene, it’s the patients, it’s the sales reps.”
“We are relied on by everybody. It’s not just the doctor; it’s not just the front office. It’s hygiene, it’s the patients, it’s the sales reps.”
— Tosha Gurley, DISIPC, RDA
Without dental assistants, it would be exponentially harder — if not impossible — for practices to function. Darlene Corsiglia, CDA, RDA, shares that her dentist told her, “We can’t even work without you! The office would shut down.”
“It makes the schedule run smoother when you have an efficient assistant,” explains Corsiglia. “It helps the dentist move quicker and easier, without having to stop and look around for something. We think ahead and know what they need next.”
The list of responsibilities dental assistants handle is vast and goes beyond providing chairside assistance to the dentist. Among many other duties, dental assistants also prepare exam rooms and instruments, take x-rays, perform infection control, answer patient questions, schedule appointments, and maintain patient records. All of these tasks help maximize efficiency in the practice and provide safe, high-quality patient care.
“Everyone has their role in the dental office, and every role is important,” says Ashley LaCrosse, CDA, LDA. “But dental assistants do a lot of the little things that can go unnoticed.”
“Everyone has their role in the dental office, and every role is important. But dental assistants do a lot of the little things that can go unnoticed.”
— Ashley LaCrosse, CDA, LDA
“It is a job that is sometimes thankless and overlooked,” says Stacey Singleton, CDA, a dental office manager. “I strive in my practice to acknowledge, recognize, and reward on a regular basis to let them know they are truly appreciated.”
Passion for helping people
A dental assistant’s contributions are more than the tasks they perform, however. Assistants also bring an intangible quality that’s crucial to the dental office: a desire to help others. It’s the “why” for many dental assistants — the reason they chose the profession and view it as a career rather than “just a job.”
This compassion is especially on display during interactions with patients.
When Gurley was in high school, she worked at a dental office as part of an after-school program. The patient relationships ultimately influenced her choice of dental assisting as a career — a decision she’s grateful for after more than 20 years in the profession.
“Changing their smiles, getting to talk to them, and hearing their stories — I just really enjoyed that,” she explains. “I was like, ‘You know what, I really do enjoy this and I don’t want to miss this opportunity.’”
LaCrosse has been a dental assistant for four years, and she can’t envision herself doing anything else.
“I love what I can do to help patients’ confidence and well-being,” she explains. “We have patients with teeth that have been badly broken or decayed for so long. When we finally restore their teeth, they’re so appreciative. They’re like, ‘Oh, my gosh, I can finally talk without putting my hand in front of my mouth,’ or ‘I can finally go in public and smile now,’ or ‘Finally, I have nice teeth for my daughter’s wedding.’ It’s always so rewarding.”
“Patients see me in the waiting room, and they say, ‘Oh, you’re still here! I’m so happy!’ It makes me feel good. It makes me not want to leave.”
— Darlene Corsiglia, CDA, RDA
The human touch provided by dental assistants helps practices thrive, creating a comfortable environment and improving patient retention.
Corsiglia has built lasting bonds with patients in her four decades as a dental assistant, in some cases seeing multiple generations of families. It’s what keeps her coming back even after she had originally planned to retire. After her practice was bought by a new doctor a few years ago, her familiar face has helped put patients at ease.
“Patients see me in the waiting room, and they say, ‘Oh, you’re still here! I’m so happy!’ It makes me feel good,” she shares. “It makes me not want to leave.”
The ultimate team players
A passion for helping others also shows in dental assistants’ willingness to support and uplift their teammates.
“I am a firm believer in teamwork,” says Corsiglia. When she has free time, she looks for ways to pitch in around the office, such as helping the hygienist clean up the exam room or assisting them with charting. “Teamwork keeps us close.”
Dental assistants’ efforts don’t go unnoticed by their teammates, either.
“They are the heartbeat of the practice,” says Singleton. “An efficient, multitasking, patient-focused assistant can make or break a practice.”
“They make my job possible,” says Joanne Dawley, D.D.S.
Even for dental assistants who are regularly shown appreciation, DARW can provide a nice lift for dental assistants’ morale, says Gurley.
“It’s nice to set that time aside and really zoom in on this week to build our assistants up and tell them how much they are valued and appreciated,” she says.