Dental assistants work hard to care for patients and provide essential support for dentists. They’re roundly the unsung heroes of the dental world! Enter: Dental Assistants Week, a well-deserved reminder on the calendar to show dental assistants honor and appreciation.
Shopping for gifts can be tricky. If you’re having trouble thinking of dental assistant gifts, don’t sweat it! We’ve got you covered with 10 great gift ideas to make their week extra special. From personalized items that show just how well you know them to quirky, dental-themed surprises, these gifts are sure to put a smile on their face.
When is Dental Assistant Week?
Dental Assistants Recognition Week (DARW) takes place during the first full week of March, as designated by the American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA). This special week serves to acknowledge and honor the dedicated efforts of dental assistants. This year, in 2024, the theme is ‘100 Years Supporting Oral Health,’ celebrating 100 years of the ADAA.
Dental Assistants Week is the perfect opportunity to have some fun and show appreciation to your amazing dental assistants. Parties and gifts are always appreciated. If you haven’t started planning a Dental Assistants Week celebration yet, now’s your chance to kick things off.
Personalized gifts for dental assistants
Your dental assistants deserve recognition for their hard work, and gifts are a great way to show your appreciation. Personalized gifts, in particular, are a fantastic way to show you care enough to go the extra mile.
Here are some of our favorite personalized gift ideas for Dental Assistants Week:
Engraved Yeti tumblers
Everyone needs a good travel mug—especially coffee and tea drinkers. Engraved Yeti tumblers make an excellent gift for dental assistants. These tumblers are insulated to keep your drinks hot, so your dental assistants can sip on their morning beverage of choice without it getting cold.
Personalizing a Yeti tumbler is easy. Just head to their website and choose between different pre-made designs, your own custom design, or a simple text monogram. Whatever you end up picking out, your dental assistants will thank you for making each morning a little better and think of you every time they enjoy a nice warm beverage. Bonus: You’ll never confuse your mug with theirs.
Personalized travel pouch or cosmetic bag
Travel pouches and cosmetic bags are great gifts for the busy dental assistant who spends their down time on the move.
Cosmetic bags are great for keeping mascara, eyeliner, brushes, and other beauty essentials on hand. Travel pouches, on the other hand, are perfect for small items like phone chargers, medications, deodorant, and hand sanitizer.
You can customize a travel pouch or cosmetic bag with the logo of your dental office, the name of your dental assistants, or any other special message you want to add. You can even fill a travel pouch or cosmetic bag with a few small items to make your gift even more personal!
Allow them to choose their own gift
Some stores and websites offer the option for your dental assistants to select their own gifts within a predetermined budget. For example, services like Loop & Tie, offer them the flexibility to choose what they want from a collection of thoughtfully curated gifts. From chocolates and ceramics to planners and perfumes, prices start at just $25 and go up to $500.
This is an excellent alternative to gift cards if you’re looking for something that feels a bit more special. That being said, gift cards are never a bad gift idea either! If you know of a store or restaurant your dental assistants frequent, get them a gift card to that place. It’s a thoughtful way to treat them and save them from spending their own hard-earned money.
Dental gifts for Dental Assistants
Personalized gifts are great, but dental-themed gifts are always a hit with dental assistants. From high-quality scrubs to fun little knick-knacks that remind them of the great work they do, there are plenty of ways to let your dental assistants know just how much you appreciate them.
Find a charming selection of dental-themed dental assistant gifts below:
Custom Croc Jibbitz (charms)
Do your dental assistants wear Crocs at work? Crocs are a popular choice for dental and healthcare workers because they’re simple and practical. Even better, Crocs are completely customizable.
Jibbitz are tiny charms designed to add a personal touch to your Crocs and come in a variety of different styles, including teeth, toothbrushes, dental instruments, and more. Pick up a few dental-themed Jibbitz for your dental assistants, so they can make their work shoes uniquely their own. It’s a great way to help them show off their personal style in the dental office!
Embroidered FIGS scrubs
Practical gifts are always an excellent choice, and you can’t go wrong with a new set of scrubs for your dental assistant.
FIGS is one of the biggest clothing companies for healthcare professionals, with tons of scrubs and other products available. Not only are FIGS scrubs a great gift for dental assistants, but they can also be embroidered.
When you shop on the FIGS website, you can embroider scrub tops, jackets, caps, and pants for a small additional fee. A fresh set of embroidered scrubs will show your dental assistants just how much you appreciate all the hard work they do.
Wisdom tooth claw clip
If you’ve been scrolling through TikTok lately, there’s a good chance you’ve stumbled upon the viral wisdom tooth claw clip. With a shiny, pearlescent base and a bold blue outline, this nifty accessory is designed to keep your hair out of your face but look like a wisdom tooth. It’s the perfect gift for dental assistants who want to showcase their personal style and celebrate their profession. It’s a great conversation starter, too!
How your office can celebrate Dental Assistants Week
Dental Assistants Week doesn’t just have to be about gifts. While some people appreciate charming trinkets and useful presents, others prefer memorable experiences.
If you find yourself struggling to come up with the perfect gift, or if your dental assistants aren’t keen on receiving gifts, there are plenty of other heartfelt ways to make them feel cherished at work.
From office parties to handwritten notes from patients, these are some of our favorite ideas:
Office party
Office parties are one of the best ways to show your dental assistants how much you appreciate them. Work can be stressful, so it’s nice to take a break and relax from time to time.
To get the party started, consider treating your staff to some delicious food and drinks. If your team is up for it, you can also add some music or entertaining activities to the mix. You can even host your office party at an offsite location, like a favorite local bar or restaurant—it is always nice to get out of the workspace to let loose. Want to kick things up a notch? Think about if your staff like to go bowling, rollerskating, or mini-golfing. Many dental practices are closed on Fridays and there is normally more availability for reservations and activities on a Friday afternoon.
Lunch delivery
Lunch can be a big expense for dental assistants, especially if they prefer going out to lunch instead of eating in the office. Even if your dental assistants bring their own lunch from home, everybody enjoys a treat now and then. Paying for lunch delivery is a great idea if you want to show your staff how much they’re appreciated.
Dining out or ordering in can really add up, which is why many dental assistants tend to skip it. Treating everyone to lunch or organizing a catered meal is a fantastic idea–your team will appreciate it more than you know.
Handwritten notes from your patients
While everyone loves attending a good party or having their lunch paid for, sometimes it’s the little things that make the biggest difference. Remind your dental assistants why they chose to work in the dental industry with handwritten notes from your loyal patients.
Sending handwritten notes is a truly heartfelt gesture. Show your dental assistants the positive impact they have on both the community and your dental office. When they realize how many people recognize and appreciate their exceptional work, it’s sure to make them smile.
Highlight your team in your waiting room and on social media
Recognition can go a long way when you want to make someone feel appreciated. If you want to celebrate Dental Assistants Week with a special surprise for your team, highlight them on social media or celebrate them with decorations in your dental office waiting room.
Recognition shouldn’t be the only gift you give your team—an additional small gift will show them how much their hard work means.
Celebrating Dental Assistants Week with gifts
Dental assistants play an essential role in every dental office, keeping equipment clean and providing dentists with the support they need to do their jobs. With Dental Assistants Recognition Week coming up, now is a good time to start thinking about how you’re going to celebrate your team of dental assistants whether it be a celebration or a gift (or both).
Remember, these ideas are just a start—you know your dental assistants better than anyone else. Whatever you choose, take the time to find a nice gift to show your dental assistants just how much you value their hard work and dedication.