Dental Assistants Recognition Week

Dental Assistants Recognition Week™ (also known as DARW) is held the first full week in March every year. During the first week of March 2024, the Ontario Dental Assistants Association invites you to celebrate the hardworking, vital, and valued member of the oral health team - the Certified Dental Assistant. 

This year, the ODAA has chosen the theme "The Value of Dental Assistants," highlighting the crucial role Certified Dental Assistants play in the field of Dentistry as integral members of the Interprofessional Health Care team.

Certified Dental Assistants are highly trained oral health care professionals and vital assets in dental offices, often described as the backbone of the practice. Dental assisting is a growing field with strong job security and opportunities for advancement.

Read the ODAA's DARW Media Release

With an ongoing national Dental Assistant shortage, celebrating the value of Certified Dental Assistants is more important than ever. To celebrate, the ODAA will hold a “Proud to Be” photo contest, have daily prize draws open to all members, promote the profession in the media and online, and run a “Value of Dental Assistants” contest.

About DARW: Dental Assistants Recognition Week™ (also known as DARW) is held the first full week in March every year. This year, March 3-9, 2024, was designated by the American Dental Assistants Association as the perfect time to acknowledge and recognize the versatile, multi-talented member of your dental team. Dentists in the United States and Canada will celebrate by honouring their dental assistants for their various duties and helping them provide patients with quality dental care. In the United States, the theme of the week for 2024 is 100 Years Supporting Oral Health to celebrate the ADAA's centennial. Learn more about DARW from the organizers, the American Dental Assistants Association.