American Dental Hygienists' Association

08/25/2026

🎉 Our 2026 ADHA Award winner spotlights continue! Congratulations to Amber Lovatos, RDH, BSDH, winner of the 2026 ADHA Standout Seven Award for Public Health! 👏 Presented together with Henry Schein, the Standout Seven Awards shine a light on individuals who show exemplary dedication and innovation within their specific dental hygiene roles. With more than 15 years in dentistry, Amber is a public health dental hygienist, educator, author, speaker, and advocate dedicated to improving oral health outcomes for underserved communities. A first-generation college graduate, she earned her degree from The University of Texas School of Dentistry, and her own experience growing up without access to care continues to guide her work today. She has led community outreach across the country, volunteers with a nonprofit clinic serving survivors of human trafficking and uninsured patients, and brings care into rural communities using portable equipment. Known as The Latina RDH, she reaches more than 50,000 dental professionals with free educational content and hosts a virtual study club offering free monthly continuing education. ✨ Please share your congratulations for Amber in the comments below! Registration for in Fort Worth is still open, and group rates make it easy to bring your whole team. Learn more at adha2026.org.

08/25/2026

Dental hygienists are often a patient's most consistent point of healthcare contact – so you may be the first to spot signs of heart disease. Elevated blood pressure. Inflammation that doesn't match home care. New dry mouth. Unexplained fatigue. Individually common, together they can signal coronary artery disease. Lauren Shannon, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, explains what to watch for at adha.org/HygienistHub

08/24/2026

Last call! Curious minds get real answers about a career in dental hygiene – straight from an RDH. Join Marlyce James for ADHA's Hygienist Inspired "Ask a Hygienist" webinar series and help someone take their first step. RDHs earn 1.0 CE just for showing up. Free to attend, sponsored by the Foundations of Delta Dental. Register now: https://shorturl.at/TIzkq

Delta Dental Foundation

08/22/2026

Big ideas. Unexpected experiences. And plenty of moments you’ll only find at . 🧡 Here’s a peek at what’s ahead in Fort Worth:

🐾 Aspen Dental Puppy Play Pen
☕ Coffee + connections in the exhibit hall
🚐 Bright Smiles Bright Futures Mobile Unit tour
🎉 Hygienist Proud Crest Breakfast
🔬 Research 101 workshop
So much to experience beyond the classroom. Explore + register now: https://shorturl.at/ZhWBF

08/21/2026

🚨 Can a state dental board create a whole new provider by rule, without the legislature? Missouri is trying, and the rule advanced by a single vote. It would let minimally trained assistants scale teeth and chart periodontal disease after one board-approved course. Read on as ADHA Past President Diann Bomkamp explains what happened and why "as one state falls, another becomes vulnerable": adha.org/HygienistHub

Missouri Dental Hygienists' Association

08/19/2026

🎉 Keep the celebration going! Congratulations to Tonya Jeffries, RDH, MS, EdD, recipient of the 2026 ADHA Standout Seven Award for Entrepreneur! 👏 Presented together with Henry Schein, the Standout Seven Awards shine a light on individuals who show exemplary dedication and innovation within their specific dental hygiene roles. Dr. Jeffries has spent more than two decades advancing education, licensure integrity and legislation across the profession. As past president of the Maryland Dental Hygienists' Association, she was one of the first African American leaders in its history and helped advance legislation expanding the scope of practice for more than 3,000 Maryland dental hygienists. She serves nationally as a Chief Board Examiner and consults with institutions pursuing CODA accreditation as CEO of TDJeffries Consulting Group. She authored The Dental Hygiene Hack and developed a mobile app built to support any dental hygiene curriculum, reducing barriers for underrepresented learners. ✨Please share your congratulations for Tonya in the comments below! Early bird may have ended, but you can still save on registration with your group discount. Register now at adha2026.org.

08/18/2026

Nursing governs nursing. PT governs PT. Who governs dental hygiene? Right now, in most states, it's not hygienists. ADHA's new white paper, authored by Dr. Derik Sven, makes the ethical and economic case for self-governance and points to the Dental Hygiene Modernization Act as the model. It's time our regulations caught up with our profession. Download now at adha.org/whitepapers.

08/18/2026

National Wellness Month isn't over yet, and ADHA has two ways to put your well-being first before August wraps up. Wellness in Practice: Personal Health and Career Longevity is now available on demand. This 7.5 CE virtual workshop covers everything from ergonomics and burnout prevention to financial wellness and career planning. 🔗 https://shorturl.at/C2Gdb

And if you're heading to ADHA26 in Fort Worth next month, saddle up for the ADHA Foundation Wellness Day Challenge on Sunday, September 27. Complete six secret wellness missions in one day to earn an exclusive swag bag, plus a chance to win a free ADHA27 registration with 15,000 steps! Spots are limited so don't wait. 🔗 https://shorturl.at/70auT

08/15/2026

Celebrate the ADHA Foundation’s 70th by voting for your favorite logo design! The winning design will be featured on limited edition merch at

👀 Have you picked a favorite yet?

Public voting is open for the ADHA Foundation's 70th Anniversary Design Competition, and the winning design will be chosen by you!

For just $10 per vote, you can help decide which design will be featured on limited-edition merchandise at ADHA26.

💜 Vote once or vote multiple times. 💜 No ADHA membership required. 💜 Every vote supports ADHA Foundation programs.

🗳️ Cast your vote: mymembership.adha.org/Members/Events/Event_Display.aspx?EventKey=FND70

08/13/2026

🎉 The spotlight shines on another 2026 ADHA Award winner! Congratulations to Heather Anderson, RDH, MS, winner of the 2026 ADHA Standout Seven Award for Educator! 👏 Presented together with Henry Schein, the Standout Seven Awards shine a light on individuals who show exemplary dedication and innovation within their specific dental hygiene roles. Heather has been a clinical dental hygienist since 2003, and it was in public health, teaching dental and dental hygiene students, that her passion for education took hold. She earned her master's degree in 2020 and joined Eastern Washington University the following year, where she teaches Preclinic, Restorative and Local Anesthetic courses and still sees patients one day a week. Students value her warm, encouraging nature and the high expectations she holds, backed by real clinical experience that brings her teaching to life. This past spring, Heather was named Educator of the Year by the Washington State Dental Hygienists' Association and received the EWU College of Health Sciences and Public Health Dean's Educator Award. ✨ Please share your congratulations for Heather in the comments below! Early bird may have ended, but you can still save on registration with our group discount. Gather your team and register now at adha2026.org.