Dashboard ?

When you first install Dashboard it asks you if you would like dashboard to replace the today screen as the main screen. If you select no then you can run dashboard ontop of the today screen but I believe that it then acts like any other today plug in. I suggest you reinstall and chose yes to that q:

On the other hand if your refering to the start bar not being skinned and the command bar on the bottom. Dashboard does not skin those bars, you need another program to do this. your options are plenty.
Wisbar
wisbar advanced
wisbar 2003
pocket blinds
icbar
giga bar

I am certain there are more but doing a google on any of the above would lead you to pleasant results.

I'll try that thanks. one more thing, those other programs you mention, are they simular to dashboard or just add-ons to dashboard? agian thanks in advance.

Neither. They are completely separate programs from dashboard however they tend to compliment it quite nicely. They skin the top and bottom bars as well they add functionality like task management. Dashboard only skins the today page.