Dental assistants, you have the power!

I’ve just finished my first day of speaking to an amazing group of dental assistants at the Western Regional Dental Convention in Phoenix. One of the most enjoyable and fulfilling things I do as the group editorial director for UBM Advanstar’s dental division (which includes Modern Dental Assistant) is interact with dental assistants around the country during my presentation on “Battling and Beating the Demons of Dental Assisting.” It’s three hours of interaction and learning … both for the audience and for me.

After talking to some of the dental assistants after my presentation, I walked away from today’s session reminded once again of the power of the assistant. You, my friends, have power. You have the power to help a nervous patient make it through that dental procedure. You have the power to make your dental practice a better business and better place to work through your ideas, suggestions, and actions. You have the power to influence which products are used in the practice and the impact they have on patients and the practice’s bottom line.

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But my question to you is, “Are you using your power?” Are you making a difference for your patients and the practice every day or are you just getting through the day … and the week … and the month … and the year? Are you viewing your position as a career or just a paycheck? I’ve met many of you who would fall on both sides of that question.

One of my favorite scenes in Bruce Almighty is when Jim Carrey realizes he actually has the power to change things. Of course (spoiler alert!), he doesn’t exactly change them for the better at first, but the look in his eyes when he realizes he has the power and can use it is something that always strikes me every time I watch the movie.

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Today, I hope you get that same look in your eyes when you realize you have a lot of power in your position. If you don’t feel like you have power, talk to your dentist or office manager about what you believe is holding you back. If you want to supercharge your power, take every opportunity to learn and expand your horizons. Also, take advantage of time with your fellow superheroes out there and get involved in a local, state, and/or national dental assisting group.

Yes, you have the power. You just have to use it.

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