Dental Assisting students give more than lip service when it comes to the importance of oral health; they spring into action.
The students have launched a social media blitz in honour of Dental Assistants Recognition Week March 6-12. Their mission: to help educate the community.
Dental program faculty member Jennifer Karnay noted that almost 30 students are participating in the initiative virtually this year, with a weeklong effort to promote oral health via Instagram, Snap Chat, Twitter and more.
“The goal of DA Week is to celebrate the dental assistant as a member of the oral health care team while promoting the importance of oral health,” said Karnay. “While celebrating and educating, they begin to understand the sense of community that comes from the office environment and the patients we work with daily. They are an essential member of the team and they deserve to be celebrated.”
Karnay noted that by through their social media blitz, students are sharing the knowledge they have acquired through their studies at NC.
“All their classes come together to help the students engage in important conversations with community members while helping them develop essential critical thinking skills needed for entry into a dental practice,” she said. “They can choose the information that can help different demographics improve their oral health with tips and tricks to make home care easier.”
Student Brianna Doherty of Niagara Falls kicked off the campaign with its first post to their dedicated Instagram page @ncdaweek2022.
“Something I look forward to about DA Week is to be able to share with the public about the tasks and duties that dental assistants do,” said Doherty. “I feel that dental assistants aren’t recognized as much as they should and this week is a great time to put that information out there and to bring awareness.”
She is looking forward to sharing information about her chosen profession with the public.
“I personally chose to pursue the Dental Assisting program because I enjoy helping people and making them smile,” she said. “I am excited to share everything that I have learned so far in the program with the public.”
The NC community is encouraged to follow the Instagram page created by the students @ncdaweek2022 to learn more about oral health and ways to get involved.
Held annually during the first full week of March, Dental Assistants Recognition Week is observed by the Canadian Dental Assistants Association, and American Dental Assistants Association.
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- Follow Dental Assisting students who are raising awareness on Instagram @ncdaweek2022.
