Dear Fellow Dental Assistants
Summer has a way of reminding us to slow down… at least until the next emergency patient walks through the door five minutes before lunch! As dental assistants, we know that flexibility isn’t just a skill, it’s practically part of the job description. We adapt, solve problems, calm anxious patients, support our teams, and somehow still manage to keep the day moving forward with professionalism and compassion.
That resilience is one of the many reasons I am so proud to serve as your President.
As we move through the second half of the year, I’ve been reflecting on just how much strength exists within our profession. Dental assistants are found in every corner of dentistry, yet our voices have not always been heard as loudly as they deserve. That is beginning to change, and I’m excited about the direction we’re heading together.
One of the initiatives I am especially proud of is the continued work of the ADAA Advocacy Committee. This committee exists for one very important reason: to help advance, advocate for, and protect the profession of dental assisting.
Advocacy isn’t simply about legislation. It’s about ensuring that dental assistants have a seat at the table whenever decisions are made that affect our education, our credentials, our scope of practice, and our future. It means working alongside legislators, educators, dental organizations, and state leaders to promote policies that strengthen our profession while ensuring the highest standard of patient care.
The committee is actively monitoring legislative developments across the country, supporting state initiatives, building relationships with key stakeholders, and identifying opportunities where the ADAA can be a strong and respected voice for dental assistants nationwide. Every conversation, every meeting, and every effort is focused on helping create a stronger future for current and future dental assistants.
While advocacy is one of our priorities, it isn’t our only one. Across the country, we’re continuing to expand educational opportunities, strengthen connections with our state organizations, develop new member resources, and create more opportunities for dental assistants to learn, grow, and lead. The momentum is building, and that momentum comes from all of you.
If you’ve ever wondered whether one person can make a difference, remember this: every major advancement in our profession began with someone willing to raise their hand and say, “How can I help?”
Whether you volunteer, mentor a new assistant, serve on a committee, contact your legislators, encourage a coworker to join ADAA, or simply share your passion for this profession, you are helping shape the future of dental assisting.
Thank you for the work you do every day. Thank you for representing our profession with skill, compassion, and professionalism. Most importantly, thank you for believing that dental assistants deserve recognition, respect, and a voice.
Together, we are building something remarkable.
And remember… behind every confident dentist is an exceptional dental assistant quietly thinking three steps ahead… and probably reminding our doctors where they left their loupes.
Have a wonderful July, stay cool, stay safe, and keep making a difference, one patient and one smile at a time.
With appreciation,
Erin Hendricks, RDA, CCHW
President, American Dental Assistants Association