Spring is definitely in the air, and many of the state dental assisting associations are gearing up for their annual meetings. It has been a busy year so far, attending many of these meetings, getting the opportunity to meet members and nonmembers alike, and learning about the dental assistants who are the driving forces in their states when it comes to getting things done. There are so many wonderful, hard-working dental assistants!
Professional recognition is not just a nice thing to do for people. Recognition is a way to highlight and reward the most significant outcomes individuals create for your profession. When you recognize people effectively, you reinforce the actions and behaviors you most want to see people repeat. With Dental Assistants Recognition Week now behind us, members of the American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA) are now encouraged to submit award nominations to recognize a fellow member for outstanding service. There are many different categories in which members can be recognized at various stages of their careers. For more information on the requirements of the various ADAA Awards, please click here. The deadline for the following award nominations is June 30:
- The ADAA President’s Award of Excellence underwritten by Henry Schein is given to an ADAA member who has shown the most outstanding achievements in promoting the objectives of the ADAA and furthering the profession of dental assisting.
- The New Member Involvement Award is presented to an ADAA member who has been a member no more than five years, and who has shown the most outstanding achievement in promoting the objectives of ADAA and furthering the profession of dental assisting.
- The Loyal Assistant Award is presented to the ADAA member who has demonstrated loyalty as well as longevity in service to his or her employer.
- The ADAA/Sunstar Americas Pride Awards are presented to ADAA members who believe in loyalty to self as well as the profession of dental assisting. There are five categories of the ADAA/Sunstar Americas Pride Awards: Clinical Assistant, Business/Administrative Assistant, Educator, Federal Services Army Member, and Federal Services Air Force Member.
- The Journal Award is presented to the ADAA member who has submitted the best educational article for original publication in the ADAA Journal. At the February 2011 ADAA Board of Trustees meeting, the name for this award was changed to the Anna Nelson Memorial Award for Editorial Excellence. Anna, a longtime member of the ADAA and ADAA past president (2000-2001), was the ADAA editorial director at the time of her death in January 2011.
- The Kay Mosley Distinguished Service Award through the American Dental Assistants Foundation (ADAAF) specifically recognizes significant contributions to the ADAA, the ADAAF itself, and to the field of dental assisting and dentistry. These contributions must have been demonstrated through leadership, personal accomplishment, and vision for the profession of dental assisting.
As a previous award winner, I can tell you that nothing is more heartwarming than being recognized for your achievements. There are so many worthy dental assistants across the globe who have made significant contributions to the profession of dental assisting. Why not honor their hard work and achievements by nominating them today? Keep up the great work! If you are not yet a member of the ADAA, check us out by clicking here.
Natalie Kaweckyj, LDARF, CDA, CDPMA, COA, COMSA, CPDA, MADAA, BA
President, American Dental Assistants Association
