American Dental Hygienists' Association
The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) is the only organization representing the professional interests of the more than 220,000 dental hygienists in the United States. Dental hygienists are preventive oral health professionals, licensed in dental hygiene, who provide educational, clinical and therapeutic services that support total health through the promotion of optimal oral health. The Journal of Dental Hygiene (JDH), published bi-monthly, is ADHA’s scientific journal and flagship publication. To learn more about the ADHA, dental hygiene or the link between oral health and general health, visit www.adha.org.
American Dental Hygienists’ Association Releases 2026–2028 Strategic Plan
New three-year plan focuses on advancing professional autonomy, workforce well-being and the role of dental hygienists in every practice setting
CHICAGO, March 11, 2026 —...
ADHA Affirms Essential Role of Dental Hygiene Diagnosis in Professional Practice
New white paper outlines diagnostic decision-making as fundamental to dental hygiene care and urges standardized terminology
CHICAGO, Feb. 10, 2026—The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA)...
ADHA Adopts Ten New and Updated Policies Affecting Scope of Practice, Education and Licensure
Policies adopted to date in FY 2025–2026 advance scope of practice, accreditation standards, clinical assessment, workforce well-being and disability inclusion.
CHICAGO, Feb. 4, 2026—The American...
ADHA Advocates for Dental Hygiene Self-Regulation to Strengthen Public Protection and Expand Access to Care
CHICAGO, Dec. 22, 2025 – The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) today released “Dental Hygiene Self-Regulation: How Self-Regulation Strengthens Public Protection and Expands Access to Care,”...
ADHA Issues Statement Opposing Department of Education’s Exclusion of Dental Hygiene from Professional Degree Definition
CHICAGO, Nov. 21, 2025—American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) issued a statement today opposing the U.S. Department of Education’s decision to exclude dental hygiene from...
ADHA President Honors Oral Health Leaders Who Stood for Professional Standards
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...
American Dental Hygienists’ Association Modernizes Governance Structure, Transitions from House of Delegates
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...
Statement from American Dental Hygienists’ Association on Enactment of H.R. 1
CHICAGO, July 11, 2025 – Statement by Lancette VanGuilder, BS, RDH, PHEDH, CEAS, FADHA, president of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA).
ADHA expresses serious concern...
American Dental Hygienists’ Association Announces New Leadership for 2025-2026
CHICAGO, July 3, 2025 – The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) installed its new Board of Directors and slate of leaders for the 2025-2026 fiscal year at the...
American Dental Hygienists’ Association Names Jennifer Hill as Chief Executive Officer
CHICAGO, June 27, 2025—The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) announced Thursday the appointment of Jennifer Hill as chief executive officer. Hill’s appointment to the...
ADHA Opposes Arizona Senate Bill 1037 Amendment
CHICAGO, June 19, 2025 – The American Dental Hygienists’ Association sent a letter today to Arizona Senate leadership opposing an amendment to Senate Bill 1037 that would eliminate...
ADHA Statement on Failed Nevada Healthcare Bill Containing Harmful Dental Hygiene Provisions
CHICAGO, June 3, 2025 – The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA), the Nevada Dental Hygienists’ Association (NVDHA), and the broader dental hygiene professional community achieved...
ADHA and IFDH Issue Joint Position Statement on Qualified Dental Hygiene Providers
CHICAGO, April 17, 2025 – The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA®) and the International Federation of Dental Hygienists (IFDH) released a joint position statement today advocating...
ADHA Warns CDC Cuts Jeopardize Oral Health Prevention Programs
CHICAGO, April 2, 2025 – The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA®) expressed grave concern today about the severe workforce reductions at the Centers for Disease...