The Oregon Dental Hygienists' Association, a constituent of the ADHA, is committed to providing advocacy, professional development and networking opportunities for dental hygienists and the dental hygiene profession.
President’s Message
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
As we move into the heart of summer, I hope you're finding moments to enjoy family, friends, and some well-deserved rest. August often marks a season of transition, families preparing for back-to-school, patients returning from vacations, and many of us looking ahead to the fall season. It’s also a great time to remind our patients to replace their toothbrushes, especially as daily routines begin to shift.
Unfortunately, this summer has also brought extreme heat and widespread wildfire smoke across many parts of Oregon. Whether you or your loved ones have been directly affected, please know that our thoughts are with you. Remember to take care of yourselves and each other, and don’t hesitate to lean on your community for support. Please prioritize safety: wear sunscreen, stay hydrated, limit time outdoors during poor air quality and avoid open burning until it is deemed safe by the State Fire Marshal.
August Highlights & Celebrations
August brings several meaningful opportunities to engage our communities and celebrate our profession.
National Breastfeeding Month
Breastfeeding provides numerous health benefits, for infants and mothers, but also for oral development. Research shows that it supports proper jaw growth and may reduce the risk of malocclusion. As dental hygienists, we can help educate new parents about these oral health benefits and the importance of establishing a dental home early. Let’s continue to support families through compassionate conversations and collaboration with pediatricians, lactation consultants, and other providers.
National Immunization Awareness Month
This month reminds us of the vital role vaccines play in protecting public health. While we may not administer vaccines, we are in a unique position to support immunization efforts. This includes educating patients about key vaccinations, such as the HPV vaccine and encouraging them to stay up-to-date with boosters, especially as new public health concerns continue to emerge.
Fun and Educational August Dates
Considering Independent Practice?
Have you ever thought about becoming an Independent Expanded Practice Dental Hygienist (IEPDH)? If you're curious about what’s involved, how to get started, or whether it’s the right path for you, stay tuned! Our upcoming continuing education courses will feature sessions on independent practice, cultural competency, medical emergencies, nitrous oxide, innovation in care delivery, and more.
These courses will be available in person, live virtually, and on demand. It’s a great opportunity to fulfill licensure requirements, expand your skill set and learn from forward-thinking professionals in our field.
Upcoming Conferences
Please mark your calendars for these major professional events:
Both conferences will feature nationally recognized speakers, clinical updates and opportunities to connect with dental hygienists and dental therapists from across the country. I highly encourage you to attend if you're able and to review the agendas as they become available.
Looking Ahead
As your ODHA President, I continue to be inspired by your dedication, professionalism and passion for patient-centered care. Whether you work in private practice, public health, education or advocacy, your contributions are essential and deeply appreciated!
Let’s keep supporting one another, growing together, and advancing our mission to improve oral and overall health.
Kimberly Perlot, DT, MSAH, BS, EPDH
ODHA President 2024-2025 | To email Kim, click here.
METRO EAST COMPONENT
Representing Clackamas, Hood River, Multnomah & Wasco Counties
Hello Colleagues!
What an amazing (and warm!) summer we are having! This time of year is a bit less busy for many of us or at the least we are taking more leisure time to enjoy the outdoors and our families. I’m always amazed at what a sun-filled and action-packed (in a good way) summer can do to help me get through those dreary winter months. A big part of what can “fill our cup” is time with good friends. I recently pushed myself out of the house and went to a fun event at McMenamins and also a place called Naked Falls (highly recommend!) for some social time; all in one weekend which was big for me! I understand that socializing is good for my health, but sometimes it can be difficult. According to an article out of Mayo Clinic titled, “Friendships: Enrich your life and improve your health” there are many benefits to having friendships and time with friends including:
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Raise your sense of connection, belonging and purpose.
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Boost your happiness and lower your stress.
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Improve your self-confidence and feelings of self-worth.
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Help you cope through hard times, such as divorce, serious illness, job loss or the death of a loved one.
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Urge you to change or avoid habits that aren't healthy. These might include drinking too much or not exercising.
Speaking from my own experience, since COVID, I have often had to convince myself to “get out of the house.” Here are some tips from the article to help promote interaction with friends:
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Go to events in your community
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Give and accept invitations
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Take up a new interest
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Join a faith community
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Take a walk
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Calm your nerves (this helps with the anxiety about leaving the house)
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Just say “yes” (I added this one!)
Something you can also do to connect is volunteer! I personally receive so much enrichment in my life by my ODHA connections from volunteering. I feel connected and appreciated. I also feel like I have some control and influence over what happens in my profession–it’s a great feeling and I encourage anyone who is needing connection or feeling like they want to find purpose and passion again to email me directly at [email protected]. I would LOVE to connect with you!
Heidi Klobes, M.Ed., EPDH, CDA
Metro East Component Director | To email Heidi, click here.
OREGON BOARD OF DENTISTRY NEWS
Dental Hygiene License Renewal Due September 30, 2025
If you received your initial Oregon dental hygiene license in an even year, your dental hygiene license will expire on September 30, 2025.
All license renewals must be completed online; no exceptions. Licensees are personally responsible for renewing their own licenses. No one else should complete this process for you. It may take several days for the online renewal process to post your new information, so do not wait until the end of September to renew your license.
If your license expires, you cannot continue to practice. You may be subject to disciplinary action by the Oregon Board of Dentistry if you practice dental hygiene without a current license. A licensed dental hygienist who has worked any number of days without a current license may be issued a Notice of Proposed Disciplinary Action and offered a Consent Order that includes a reprimand and a civil penalty of $1,000 or more.
If you have any questions about renewing your dental hygiene license for Oregon, contact the Oregon Board of Dentistry at [email protected].
Make Your Email Public When You Renew Your Dental Hygiene License
Anyone may purchase a list of dentists and dental hygienists who are licensed by the Oregon Board of Dentistry. This list includes your name and address, but it only includes your email address if you give permission when you renew your license.
Email is the most effective and least expensive way to communicate with dental hygienists who are licensed in Oregon. If you do not give permission to make your email address public, you may miss out on information that is sent to licensees from third parties who only use email.
When you renew your dental hygiene license this year, ODHA strongly encourages you to give permission to make your email address public. And please encourage your dental hygiene colleagues to do the same. If you have any questions, please contact the Oregon Board of Dentistry at [email protected].
August Board Meeting
The Oregon Board of Dentistry will meet on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the Board office located at 1500 SW 1st Avenue, Suite 770, Portland, OR 97201. The agenda for this meeting will include a Zoom link for participants who would like to attend virtually. Anyone may participate in the Open Sessions of the Board meeting.
The agenda and public packet for this Board meeting will be posted approximately one week before the meeting on the Board website at www.oregon.gov/dentistry. Scroll down to About Us and click on Meetings. The public packet is usually more than 200 pages in length. We recommend that you review this document online, and only print pages if you need them.
If you would like to participate in the Open Sessions of this or any future Board meeting, contact ODHA Advocacy Director Lisa J. Rowley at [email protected] for more information. Upcoming Oregon Board of Dentistry meetings will be held on the following Fridays: October 24 and December 12.
Oregon Wellness Program
The Oregon Wellness Program (OWP) ensures licensees (dentists, registered dental hygienists, and dental therapists) within the state of Oregon have access to mental health support that is non-reported, urgently available, and complimentary. OWP contracts with licensed and credentialed mental health providers, who each have a minimum of five years professional experience providing services to health care professionals. For more information, click on https://oregonwellnessprogram.org.
OWP affiliated providers offer:
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Up to three complimentary sessions (a one-time benefit that can be spread across multiple years)
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Appointments are generally available within three business days
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Care without a “paper trail” or reporting to insurance or professional board
ADHA News
ADHA Annual Conference
 Registration is open for the 2025 ADHA Conference to be held October 4-6 in Long Beach, California. Whether you are a seasoned professional, just getting started, or somewhere in between, personalize your ADHA25 experience to reach your professional and personal goals.
Early bird registration pricing ends August 15th. Don’t miss your chance to save big on your Long Beach adventure! Course selection does not begin until August 15th which means all you need to do is register now to secure the early bird rate, then relax and enjoy your savings! Reserve your overnight room early to save and ensure you have your choice of accommodations at one of the ADHA25 official hotels.
For more information, visit https://www.adha.org/events/adha25/.
Mark your calendars now for the 2026 ADHA Annual Conference that will be held September 26-28 in Fort Worth, Texas.
ADHA Foundation
Congratulations to Lisa Rowley, our state liaison to the ADHA Foundation, who recently received the Rising Star Award. This award honors the state liaison who has demonstrated the most significant advancement in fundraising efforts, displaying a commendable dedication to enhancing financial support for oral health initiatives.
The ADHA Foundation has created a Legacy League to recognize individuals who have committed to making a recurring monthly donation to the ADHA Foundation to support its mission of advancing the dental hygiene profession through scholarships, research, and community service grants.
You can join the Legacy League by scheduling a recurring monthly donation of at least $20 per month to the ADHA Foundation.Your ongoing support will enable the ADHA Foundation to sustain and expand its programs, ensuring that it can reach even more dental hygienists and community members in need. Click on this link to set up your monthly recurring donation.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Corvallis, Oregon Oral Cancer 5K Run/Walk - September 13, 2025
Click on the image below to learn more or to register to run/walk in this year's event!
42nd Annual Oregon Rural Health Conference
 Registration is now open for the 42nd Annual Oregon Rural Health Conference to be held Wednesday-Friday, October 1-3, 2025 at the Riverhouse Lodge in Bend, Oregon. The block of overnight rooms at the Riverhouse fills up quickly, so you are encouraged to make your reservation as soon as possible at reserve here.
The Oregon Rural Health Conference and is the largest gathering in Oregon dedicated to sharing information and showcasing innovative approaches to health and the delivery of health care in rural and remote communities in Oregon. This Conference brings together over 400 health care leaders from across the spectrum, including providers, administrators, policymakers, and public health, hospital and clinic leaders. Sessions will cover issues that affect Oregonians living in rural communities and share strategies and solutions. The presenters are among the most dedicated experts from Oregon and beyond. For more information click on Oregon Rural Health Conference.
The Oregon Rural Health Association (ORHA) will hold a board meeting during this conference. The ODHA is a founding member & continues to be an organizational member of the Oregon Rural Health Association. Mary Ann Wren represents the ODHA on the ORHA Board of Directors. For more information about ORHA, visit the Oregon Rural Health Association.
OPHA Annual Conference & Meeting
 Save the date for the 2025 Oregon Public Health Association (OPHA) Annual Conference & Meeting scheduled for Tuesday October 14 & Wednesday, October 15 at the Wingspan Event Center located at 804 NE 34th Avenue in Hillsboro, Oregon.
The OPHA Annual Conference & Meeting is Oregon’s premier public health event, bringing together professionals committed to improving health outcomes across the state. Since 1944, this conference has served as a key platform for a broad range of public health professionals, including decision-makers, educators, policymakers, practitioners, researchers, nonprofit leaders, & students.
Conference attendees represent diverse fields, such as medicine, dentistry, social work, epidemiology, community health, nursing, and more. Together, this collaborative community is united by a shared commitment to improving health outcomes, supporting public health research, and advancing efforts that promote access, well-being, and healthier communities across Oregon. For more information, visit https://www.oregonpublichealth.org/opha-conference.
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