With the focus of the world on the U.S. military, it is more than coincidental that this year’s DARW entries included more military input than ever before. An entire category in the competition was created and identified as “Other Organizations” and included both Army and Air Force entries and will in the future feature the work of dental associations, government agencies such as Veterans Administration clinics and any other large institutional practice not included in the traditional groupings of schools, dental assisting associations and dental offices.

We are pleased to acknowledge the enthusiasm of this sector of participants and welcome them along with the new and returning entries from all other categories.

As usual, in addition to thanking the entrants, we are grateful to the panel of judges from the ADAA and the ADA who gave their time to the review and selection of materials. The competition covered in this issue reflects only the work of U.S. individuals and groups, with the Canadian groups conducting their own competition.

A note about the headline. DARW themes are chosen by joint action of the sponsors of the event: the American Dental Association, the American Dental Assistants Association, The Canadian Dental Assistants’ Association and the Canadian Dental Association. The theme is generally retained for three or four years. The outgoing theme, “United by Excellence, Linked by Pride,” was in effect from 2000 through this year, 2003.

The new theme that will take effect for the 2004 Week is based on an idea from Nancy Callaway of Overland Park, KS, an ADAA member. Ms. Callaway will receive one year’s free national dues from the ADAA. We thank everyone who provided input and ideas for this project.

… on to the competition. And the winners are:

DENTAL ASSISTING SCHOOLS

FIRST PLACE

THE MEDIAN SCHOOL DENTAL ASSISTANT/EFDA PROGRAM Pittsburgh, PA

How’s this for starters? The entire class joined ADAA! Then they reached out to the public by acquiring three proclamations, two radio spots, two TV spots and making and selling tooth fairy dolls for charity. They asked local dentists to nominate their dental assistants for “#1 Assistant in Pittsburgh” and gave the winner a pizza party for their practice. DARW posters adorned 800 telephone poles in the area and a newspaper ad ran for a week. The instructors hosted a dinner for the students and the school president purchased an intra-oral camera as a gift. In all, a terrific multilevel tribute to DARW.

SECOND PLACE

NDSCS DENTAL ASSISTING STUDENTS: 2003 Wahpeton, ND

Presented by Lucinda Johnson

This school decorated its clinic and library to draw attention to DARW and then laid out a table (staffed by Ms. Tooth Fairy and Ms. Molar) to give away toothpaste to campus students and collect money for families in need. A total of $226 was collected–which was matched by the instructor–and Crest Spinbrushes were purchased and distributed. A contest for the area’s #1 dental assistant was conducted and the winner received a gift basket. Additionally, a dental assistant in active guard duty was recognized through e-mail and presented with a “care package” and ribbon. The dental assisting supervisor presented the class with lunch to round out DARW and to recognize them for their efforts.

HONORABLE MENTION

LINN-BENTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE Albany, OR

Every day there was something new: Monday: 30- and 60-second radio spots on five local stations; a large banner in the hall, and words of appreciation from the Vice President of Instruction. Tuesday: Students delivered flowers, food and goodie baskets to the offices where they had done their observations. These were directed to the offices’ assistants, many of whom didn’t know it was DARW. Wednesday: Each instructor received flowers, cookies and a scroll of thanks for their time and expertise. Thursday: Words of encouragement from the Director of Health and Human Services, and a student-faculty quiz game with students receiving a gold pin bearing a tooth emblem. Friday: A visit from ADAA National President Karen S. Waide, CDA, EFDA, who presented each student with a pink rosebud and an ADAA souvenir. Two officers of the Capital City DAS also came and gave greetings … and every day there were refreshments for all.

ALSO NOTED

DENTAL ASSISTING CLASS OF BERDAN INSTITUTE Totowa, NJ

Presented by Helene A. Pizzuta, CDA

Berdan students wore blue ribbons to draw attention to DARW and made dental-related posters to hang on the walls. The posters were a competition with staff voting for the best three. Going outside the school, visits were made to an elementary school to instruct in dental hygiene while during the week, speakers were invited to present a variety of subjects including oral health care products, personal care products and PANDA.

ELI WHITNEY DENTAL ASSISTING PROGRAM Hamden, CT

Presented by Janice F. McMorran

During DARW, students visited elementary schools with dental hygiene instructions. Back at the school itself, a breakfast for dental assisting students was hosted by d.a. faculty and included members of the adult education faculty.