DARW 2002: pride on parade

Dental Assistant, The, July-August, 2002

As in years past, we're learning that the schools take Dental Assistants Recognition Week very seriously as a group and make a great effort to develop programs and activities that highlight the profession.

This year, 18 schools shared with us their special promotions, and we present them here starting with the winning entries. And speaking of leaders, once again Michigan lead the way with winners at all levels of the Association category. We wish to thank the judges from the ADAA and the American Dental Association who took time from their busy schedules to review all entries and make the difficult decision of naming the winners. We also want to thank all of the entrants who took the time to observe DARW and then to tell us what they did.

DENTAL ASSISTANTS ASSOCIATIONS

FIRST PLACE
GRAND RAPIDS DENTAL ASSISTANTS SOCIETY
Grand Rapids, MI
Presented by Bunny L. Miller, CDA, RDA,
RDH

"Dental Assistants are the Heart of Every Dental Office." This positive thought was put forward by Grand Rapids DAS on mini-posters, tote bags and very prominently on the back of Grand Rapids city buses! A half-day seminar, "Changing Faces in the New Millennium kicked off DARW, and all attendees received a tote bag. Treasurer Connie McDonald, shown on front cover, demonstrates that you don't have to be boarding a bus to show off the DARW theme. Proceeds of the seminar will help to fund dental assisting scholarships.

SECOND PLACE
WASHTENAW DISTRICT DAS
Dexter, MI
Presented by Gwen Graham-Feldkamp,
CDA, RDA

Education highlighted DARW for Washtenaw with the week kicked off by past national president Mary Govoni (herself a Michigander) presenting a seminar on OSHA standards at a session called "Warm up with Washtenaw". Attendees enjoyed warm soothing beverages in a winter themed meeting room and appropriate door prizes such as gloves, mittens and mugs for hot coffee. Individual recognition for attendees was made with certificates for each indicating the number of years they had been members of ADAA.

HONORABLE MENTION
OAKLAND COUNTY DAS
Oxford, MI
Presented by Tina Kosten

This Society delivers candles, candy, seminar info and membership applications to over 50 dental offices in three counties. These efforts helped to build recognition of the week itself and of ADAA to fellow dental assisting professionals.

ALSO NOTED
AKRON DAS
Akron, OH
Presented by Kimberly Arny, CDA

On the busiest bulletin board in Talmadge County, this local, with the mayor's help, posted the DARW message and reached an estimated 44,000 cars every day ... that computes to almost 400,000 people.

DIABLO DAS
Concord, CA
Presented by Shari Baker

Toothbrushes and oral health instruction for developmentally delayed children up to the age of 6 was the focus of this local's efforts in honor of DARW. They supplied the Lynn Center with dental health care materials and members to give demonstrations and provide some fun stickers as well.

GENESEE DISTRICT DAS
Millington, MI
Presented by Deborah Jaruzel, CDA, RDA

Everyone in this local received DARW lapel pins while the local itself centered its efforts on recruitment and welcoming new members by hosting a students' night celebration. Their motto: "RECRUIT: The Thing to Do in 2002!"

NORTHERN VIRGINIA DAS
Springfield, VA
Presented by Lynn G. Pooley

An afternoon of tea, fashions--both office and clinical--and an instructive ergonomics session were prevented to the members of NVDAS in historic Old Town Manassas, Virginia. A tasty and interesting way to honor members during DARW.

STARK COUNTY DAS
Massillon, OH
Presented by Anna M. Mayle, CODA

Radio and newspaper advertisements alerted folks in Stark County to the fact that the DAS was sponsoring a blood drive in honor of DARW. Goody bags and medical kits were given to the 25 donors--8 of whom were dental team professionals. Leftover materials were donated to a women's shelter.

WEST VIRGINIA DENTAL ASSISTANTS ASSOCIATION
Presented by Debra B. Sampson, CDA

Several WVDAA officers and students met with Governor Bob Wise for the signing and presentation of a declaration recognizing DARW in West Virginia. Shortly after the state officers met with Debra Dent, CDA, the first dental assistant appointed to the state's Board of Dentistry. A membership drive was also held with a $100 prize going to the member recruiting the most new members during March.

DENTAL ASSISTING SCHOOLS

FIRST PLACE
OZARK TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Springfield, MO
Presented by Janet Sell

Outreach to the dental community was achieved by these dental assisting classes. Flyers were mailed by the students to all local dental offices offering the dentists an opportunity to purchase flowers and balloons for presentation to their staff during DARW. During the Week, dental program faculty honored the students with a pizza party and made all the students a DARW bookmark.

SECOND PLACE
MERCER COUNTY TECHNICAL EDUCATION CENTER
Princeton, WV
Presented by Bertha Robertson CDA, RDA

Local dental assistants in the Center's area got a pleasant surprise when 70 of them were presented with pink carnations and cards by the students in honor of DARW. This was a way to not only honor the assistants during their week but to call attention to the occasion for the benefit of their employers.... many of whom responded by hosting lunches. The class instructor in turn honored the students with the presentation of a DARW tote bag and catered breakfast, while the school did its part by displaying the DARW slogan on their marquee. A public service announcement was aired on community radio with the voice-over done by one of the dental assisting students.