These are some of the responses to the question “What is the nicest/best thing a dentist has ever said to a dental assistant?” that Kevin Henry asked and published in the Dental Assistinig Digest.  Take the time to say something nice to your assistant and watch them shine!

Thank you.

You are irreplaceable. Great job!

At my last yearly review my boss said, “I can’t think of anything you could do to improve your performance, you’re awesome.” That was really
wonderful to hear.

“I really appreciate what you do.”

That I am an asset to the team!

You are wonderful, and you are the best. You are one of the
smartest people

I’ve met, and you will succeed at whatever you pursue.

That my work is detailed, focused, and patients feel comfortable
in my care.

“You’re the best.”

You have good oral hygiene.

After I complete my work each day the doctor says THANK YOU.

I could not have made it through this day without you. Thank you.

That I am one of the best assistants they have ever had.

You are the best assistant I’ve ever had.

I can’t get through the day without you being here because I don’t know where

anything is.

The doctor told me, “Perfect!” during a procedure.

You have made my job easier, thank you for all your hard work.

You’re the best!

That I was the best assistant he had ever worked with in 10 years and asked if I

had ever considered dental school.

I could not do my job without you.

He said I am a very loyal employee.

After all these years (28) of working together at chairside I can’t imagine what

my life and practice would have been like without you.

THANK YOU

Thank you, I appreciated your help today. Keep up the excellent work.

That I was an excellent assistant!

I’ll explain this to you.

I can’t do this without you.

He really likes my work.

I was the best dental assistant he ever worked with!

You’re the best employee I’ve ever had. You’re the most diligent dental assistant I’ve ever had.

That he was thankful that he could trust me over some other employees and thanked me for being problem free.

Nice X-rays.

“That is just beautiful,” and “Thank you.”

You are doing such a great job and I value you.

You know more than some dentists who are graduating from dental school.

Thank you.

You are my most honest and hard-working employee.

My present dentist said, “I’m so sorry you’re going through such an awful experience. (My dad was dying) Don’t worry about your paycheck,
I’ll pay you for whatever time you need. Take as long as you need.” (He did
just that and he came to the funeral.)

You have finished.

You are an asset to our practice.

“You’re an exceptional dental assistant, above the rest,” “Your good qualities far surpass any negative ones that you may have and you are
excellent with the patients.”

“I can’t manage to work without you.”

The only positive comment I ever got from a dentist was when I was
in school. A dentist exclaimed, “Who took these X-rays?” I told her that I
did. She said they were perfect X-rays, the best she’d ever seen.

“She is the brains of this outfit.”

That I was being wasted at the front desk, and I should be assisting.
(This dentist rarely gave compliments, and this was actually a huge
compliment.)