Happy Valentine’s Day — and also my actual birthday 🎂
So I’m keeping this week’s Tip of the Week honest, practical, and important.
First, here is a love letter to all our Dental Assistants. Download below. Print off and have in your staff room this week.
This Week's Tip: Treat cross-infection control like a regular check-up — not an emergency call-out.
Cross-infection systems work best when they’re maintained little and often:
- Regular audits
- Ongoing gap analysis
- Routine team refreshers
Just like a 6- or 12-month dental check-up, staying consistent means:
- Small issues get picked up early
- Nothing becomes overwhelming
- You’re never scrambling when someone asks questions
When audits and training are repeatedly “put off until later”, it’s rarely quiet for long.
I see this pattern constantly:
- “We’ll do it once we’ve got more staff.”
- “We’ll book it after the next training.”
- “We’re too busy right now.”
Then a patient complaint lands.
And suddenly the Dental Board is knocking.
That’s when panic sets in — and Dr Ros and I get the “please help, like yesterday” calls.
The clinics on a 12-month structured plan?
They’re calm.
Their documentation is current.
Their staff are trained.
And if someone asks questions, everything is already in place.
Consistency prevents crises. Every time.
DA Industry Update: What This Means
Last week, DAPA confirmed that Dental Assistants in Australia are now formally recognised as healthcare professionals under updated classifications.
In practical terms, this means:
- Changes to award recognition and pay structures
- Clearer acknowledgement of the clinical and healthcare responsibilities DAs already perform
- Greater emphasis on appropriate training, standards, and scope of duties
This recognition is a positive step forward for the profession.
A genuine thank you is due to DAPA, who have been working consistently on this for the past two years, advocating for the profession and pushing for appropriate recognition of the dental assistant role.
For more information, click the links below.
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What’s coming up 👀
Special Event: Melbourne 🗓️
Saturday 14th March | 9:00am–1:00pm
📍 Next Smile Melbourne
In collaboration with Dürr Dental
A 4-hour intensive CIPC workshop covering:
- Protocols & system alignment
- Practical AI applications in dental practice
- Cross infection control
- How these elements directly impact team performance, compliance, and business outcomes
Looking ahead ✈️
- Sydney: 11th, 25th & 26th March
- Speaking at ADX Saturday, 28th March
- Melbourne: May bookings now open
- New Zealand: September 2026
- Other states — to be confirmed
📌 Training will still be available between 1st April – 10th May, however I’ll be travelling between USA and Peru during this period, so dates will be limited.
If 2026 is the year you want consistency, confidence, and compliance, now is the time to put the foundations in place.
Here’s to a focused, intentional, and well-supported year ahead.
Warm regards,
Rochelle Fisher
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