CHICAGO, July 25, 2025 – The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA®) announced today it is transitioning from its century-old House of Delegates structure to a modern governance model that expands member participation and enables faster organizational response. The 102nd and final House of Delegates was held June 27-28.
The new governance structure features a streamlined Board of Directors consisting of nine Directors-at-Large selected for their expertise and competencies. The change enables all ADHA members to submit policy proposals year-round for Board review and vote for Governance Committee members, expanding participation opportunities while eliminating the constraints of the annual House of Delegates cycle.
“We’ve restructured our governance to make it more responsive and inclusive,” said ADHA President Lancette VanGuilder, BS, RDH. “Every ADHA member can directly submit policy ideas and bylaw suggestions to our Board of Directors. Your ideas go straight to decision-makers and get reviewed throughout the year for faster action.”
The modernization addresses evolving needs in today’s healthcare landscape, where associations require agility to respond to rapidly changing legislative and regulatory environments. ADHA’s decision reflects a broader trend among professional organizations seeking more efficient governance structures.
“Today’s dental hygienists want meaningful ways to participate, drive change and advance our path toward professional autonomy — and that’s exactly what we’re delivering,” VanGuilder said in a letter to members.
Under the new structure, the Vice President will automatically transition to President-Elect, ensuring continuity in leadership development. A newly established Governance Committee will slate Board candidates, with two committee members elected directly by ADHA’s voting membership.
The change positions ADHA to better advocate for the dental hygiene profession and respond quickly to emerging issues affecting dental hygienists and the patients they serve. The association’s mission to advance dental hygiene, support members and protect oral health remains unchanged.
“ADHA remains your largest membership organization dedicated to advancing dental hygiene, supporting your career and protecting oral health for everyone,” VanGuilder noted. “What’s different is how we’re working together to make it happen — faster, more inclusively and with your direct input driving decisions.”
Implementation of the governance restructuring begins immediately. Members can submit policy suggestions at adha.org/about-adha/policies-bylaws or contact leadership directly at leadership@adha.net.
ADHA represents more than 220,000 dental hygienists nationwide and continues to serve as the profession’s leading advocate for advancing scope of practice, improving working conditions, and promoting the critical role of dental hygienists in healthcare delivery.
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