LONG BEACH, Calif., Oct. 6, 2025—American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) President Lancette VanGuilder, BS, RDH, PHEDH, CEAS, FADHA, presented presidential citations to two oral health organization leaders who provided immediate support during Nevada’s legislative battle over dental hygiene educational standards.
The citations were awarded Saturday, Oct. 4, during the opening general session of the 2025 ADHA Annual Conference to Jaisri R. Thoppay, BDS, MBA, DipABOM, MSHA, EdD(c), president of the American Academy of Oral Medicine (AAOM), and Chethan Chetty, DDS, MAGD, president of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD).
Both leaders sent letters opposing sections 77-79 of Nevada Senate Bill 495, which would have allowed individuals to become licensed dental hygienists through on-the-job training, bypassing Commission on Dental Accreditation-accredited education and compromising patient safety. The AGD’s letter and AAOM’s letter emphasized the importance of maintaining rigorous educational standards for patient safety.
“When we reached out, these letters were in legislators’ hands within a day,” VanGuilder said. “They didn’t hesitate. Dr. Thoppay and Dr. Chetty recognized immediately that this wasn’t just about dental hygiene — it was about patient safety, educational integrity and the future of oral health care.”
Chetty received his citation in person. Ken Ikeda, DDS, MPH, immediate past president of the American Academy of Oral Medicine, accepted the citation on Thoppay’s behalf.
ADHA and the Nevada Dental Hygienists’ Association contacted multiple health care organizations during the SB 495 controversy. Thoppay’s and Chetty’s organizations responded expeditiously with formal opposition letters. The bill ultimately failed to pass.
“These weren’t form letters — they were clear statements about the value of rigorous education,” VanGuilder said. “At a time when many organizations remained silent, AAOM and AGD said clearly: shortcuts in education mean compromises in patient care.”
The recognition highlights ongoing collaboration between the organizations. AAOM partners with ADHA on annual oral cancer and oral medicine education webinars. AGD recently collaborated with ADHA on programming about the future of dental professions.
The citations reflect ADHA’s focus on building relationships with partners who see dental hygiene’s value and share a commitment to evidence-based education and patient safety. “The relationships we build are valuable assets,” VanGuilder said in her opening remarks to the conference. “These awards celebrate leaders who understand that working together creates lasting change.”
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