ADAA April President’s Letter
April Greetings to Our Valued ADAA Members and Dental Assistants! As we recognize Oral Cancer Awareness Month, we take this opportunity to acknowledge the vital role dental assistants play in promoting early detection and patient education. Your contributions have a lasting impact on the health and well-being of those you serve.
Unfortunately, oral cancer rates are on the rise. This makes your role in patient communication and screening more important than ever. By emphasizing the importance of early detection and encouraging regular check-ups, dental assistants help save lives. Thank you for the critical work you do every day.
In other news, the dental assisting profession continues to be a key topic of discussion. You may have seen recent coverage of Arizona Senate Bill 1124, which introduces a new category of dental professionals known as Oral Preventive Assistants (OPAs). The ADAA Council on Membership recently met to begin gathering accurate information about this emerging role, in an effort to separate fact from fiction.
We’re also planning an upcoming Connection Zone meeting featuring a panel of experts. This session will offer open dialogue on OPAs, including definitions, eligibility requirements, education, scope of practice, and supervision standards. It’s essential for dental assistants to stay informed and involved as our profession continues to evolve.
I encourage you to stay connected, stay curious, and be part of shaping the future of dental assisting.
Springtime Wishes,
Ronda Lane
President, American Dental Assistants Association