Looks like a seller's market reminder ... don't sell yourself short!

Word comes in from the Health Resources and Services Administration that 20% of the American population resides in areas of health professional shortage and a 2002 American Dental Association Workforce study tells us that 37 states consider their current supply of practicing dentists to be lacking in one or more regions. Hygienists are seeking a level of practice similar to that of nurse practitioner and the AGD feels that it's not a case of too few dentists but rather maldistribution of those in practice.

Whatever the reason, we also note that the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there will be the need for 113,000 new dental assisting positions by 2012 and overall a need for 187,000 new assistants to fill those new jobs and make up for those that need filling because assistants have left the field. That's a whole lot of "Help Wanted" when it comes to dental assistants.

The BLS says that dental assisting is one of America's 30 fastest growing occupations. But all of these statistics are really just expressing the need for dental assisting professionals ... not their existence. Talk to anyone in the field of dentistry or the business of filling assisting vacancies in the dental office and you'll hear one repeating refrain: "Shortage." There is a need for dental assistants that--if you accept these statistics and conditions--will only get bigger.

If there aren't enough dentists, that means that those who are in practice need more and better assistants to stay even with the demand. The BLS, again, predicts that the career of dentist will not grow very fast between now and 2012 ... only about 4% while the need for assistants skyrockets.

Will hygienists become more like nurse practitioners? If so, they'll need assistants to back them up. All of this means that dental assistants are becoming a highly sought resource and should take advantage of this situation in demanding recognition. Recognition comes in the form of:

* Esteem as part of the dental team

* Salaries competitive with other careers that demand training, public interaction and exposure to risk, and

* Employee benefits that reflect and reward training, education and experience.

When working for a living, very little is handed to us without our asking for it. That's why we want to remind you that you have a right to demand recognition and that right is a result of the profession's need for your services.

Dental Assistants Recognition Week is a perfect time to review your situation and see if it needs adjusting. If you have to ask for an adjustment in employer attitude, salary or benefits, just remember the facts as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Health Resources Administration and remember too that you provide a professional service growing in demand.