Do you know what happens on March 6^th every year? Mark your calendars—it’s National Dentist’s Day! For all the hard work that dental professionals do to keep our teeth and gums in prime shape, it’s important that we take a step back and say thank you. Today, we’ll give you just a few ideas for how you might make the most of this National Dentist’s Day.

            But first, what is National Dentist’s Day? Why celebrate it at all? According to its own webpage, National Dentist’s Day “was established as a way to show appreciation and thanks for dentists. It’s also a way to bring awareness to dentistry so that people will know more about how to care for their teeth.” In other words, National Dentist’s Day is for them and for us! It’s a wonderful way for everyone to pause, remember the importance of their own oral health, and say a word of thanks to those who encourage them in it. Celebrating National Dentist’s Day is worthwhile because it reminds patients to care for their oral health while showing dental professionals that the work they do is seen and valued.

            So how can you as a patient do that? Consider these five simple ideas.

1. Write a thank-you note.

Who wouldn’t be touched to receive a handwritten note? Even if you don’t have an appointment that day, consider taking a few minutes out of your day to write and deliver a thank-you note to your dentist, hygienist, or office staff. If you’re not quite sure how to word it or what to say, there are plenty of templates online that can help you out. You could include a bouquet of flowers or plate of baked goods with the note, or simply drop it off. Either way, a small gesture like that will go a long way to show your appreciation.

2. Give a social media shout-out.

Maybe you’re not really the type for handwritten notes, and the dentists would break a tooth on your homemade cookies. That’s okay. Consider snapping a quick selfie of the smile that you and your dentist have worked so hard to keep healthy. You can post that with a shoutout to your dentist and the dentistry. You can even include the #NationalDentistsDay hashtag. This will still show the team that you’re grateful, and increase their publicity while you’re at it.

3. Refer friends and family.

Speaking of increased publicity, consider referring your friends or family! You never know—your friends might just be unhappy with their dentist and ready for a change. If you’re happy with your dentist and appreciate the work they do for you, spread the word. The trusted word of a network of loyal patients is one of the most powerful tools a dentistry has at its disposal for expanding its client base. If you are grateful for your dentist, tell a friend.

4. Commit to good oral health.

What better gift could you give your dentist on National Dentist’s Day than healthy teeth? By having healthy teeth, you make their job easier. And as we discussed earlier, increased oral health awareness was part of the goal of the holiday in the first place. So this National Dentist’s Day, consider renewing your commitment to proper oral health. This looks like:

 

• • Brushing every day, twice a day, for the full two minutes. If you tend to rush through brushing, maybe it’s time to set timers for yourself!

• • Flossing thoroughly once a day

• • Staying hydrated throughout the day

• • Eating a balanced diet that avoids excess sugars

• • Seeing the dentist regularly

5. Make an appointment to come see us.

Last but not least, you can celebrate National Dentist’s Day by scheduling an appointment to come and see us. Maybe you had one on the books, but you had to cancel and forgot to reschedule. Maybe you can’t exactly remember when your last appointment was. Whatever your scenario is, we want to see you! You should be visiting the dentist about every six months, unless a dental problem comes up in between that requires professional attention. If more than six months has gone by since you have last seen the dentist, schedule your appointment today! We would love to see you.

So, why do we celebrate National Dentist’s Day? We celebrate for them and for us—to remind patients of the importance of taking care of their gums and teeth, and to say thank you to the dental professionals who come alongside us in that work, day in and day out. National Dentist’s Day happens on March 6^th every year. If you want to celebrate the holiday, consider writing your dental team a thank-you note, giving them a shout-out on social media, referring your friends and family, committing to positive oral health habits, and scheduling your next dental appointment. Without dentists, our teeth, gums, and overall health would suffer. Let’s stop and say thank you to the men and women who keep our smiles healthy, happy, and bright.