- Home
- About ODHA
- Membership
- Advocacy
- Professional Development
- Awards
- Upcoming Events
President’s Message
As we begin a new year, January invites us to reflect, reset, and recommit to our shared purpose as oral health professionals and advocates. New Year’s Day represents fresh beginnings, and with it comes an opportunity to reaffirm our role not only as clinicians, but as leaders shaping the future of oral health care in Oregon. Opportunities to Connect and Advocate We pause this month to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, January 19. Dr. King’s legacy challenges us to move beyond intention and toward action. Equity, access and justice are not passive values; they require consistent advocacy. As dental hygienists, we serve on the front lines of prevention and are uniquely positioned to advance health equity by meeting patients where they are, amplifying their voices and delivering care rooted in dignity and compassion. January also includes International Day of Education on January 24, a powerful reminder that education is one of our most effective tools for change. Patient education, disease prevention, and early intervention are foundational to improving oral and overall health outcomes. When we empower patients with knowledge, we reduce disease progression, limit invasive treatment and promote long-term health. January is recognized nationally as National Mentoring Month, and mentorship is something I value deeply. Mentors strengthen our profession by supporting students, guiding new graduates and fostering confident, competent providers. Mentorship is also advocacy, builds leadership capacity, sustains professional excellence and ensures that dental hygiene continues to evolve to meet the needs of our communities. In December I had the privilege of attending the National Dental Therapy Conference in Sacramento, California where I was inspired by the shared commitment to innovation, collaboration and expanded access to care. A central theme throughout the conference and one I am especially passionate about is minimally invasive and preventive dentistry. Prevention is not an adjunct to care; it is the foundation of ethical, equitable practice. Treatments such as silver diamine fluoride (SDF) play a critical role in arresting disease in the clinical setting, while products like povidone iodine provide patients with effective tools to manage disease risk at home alongside fluoride toothpaste and good brushing habits. These approaches preserve natural tooth structure, reduce the need for invasive procedures and expand access to care for patients who may otherwise go untreated. Continuing education is essential to advancing minimally invasive and preventive care. As evidence continues to evolve, it is critical that we actively engage in high-quality CE opportunities that deepen our understanding of disease management, risk-based care, and non-invasive treatment modalities. Expanding our knowledge through continuing education empowers us to confidently integrate therapies such as SDF, povidone iodine and other preventive strategies into everyday practice. I encourage each of you to intentionally seek out CE opportunities, particularly through ODHA and your local dental hygiene study clubs that support prevention-first, patient-centered care and strengthen our collective voice as leaders in oral health prevention. As we move forward in the new year, I encourage all of us to continue advocating for preventive, evidence-based care within our practices, our communities and our profession. Championing approaches that preserve natural tooth structure, emphasize disease prevention, prioritize patient education and patient desires reflecting the core of dental hygiene and defining the future of dentistry. Thank you for your continued dedication to dental hygiene, prevention and health equity. Together, we are shaping a future where oral health care is accessible, patient-centered and prevention-driven. Wishing you a healthy, hopeful and impactful New Year! Kimberly Perlot, MSAH, DT, EPDH
ODHA President 2024-2026 | To email Kim, click here. You're Invited to ODHA's Annual Meeting
Please plan to join us for the Oregon Dental Hygienists’ Association Annual Meeting on Wednesday, January 14, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm via Zoom. To register, click here. This meeting is our chance to review the year, share important updates, and keep ODHA running efficiently. Think maintenance appointment, not full-mouth debridement. We’ll cover financial updates, membership highlights, professional development accomplishments, advocacy efforts, scholarship recognition, ballot results, and welcome new board members. We’d love to have you there. Your engagement helps keep ODHA healthy, functional, and well-maintained! Beth Kreinheder, BS, EPDH
ODHA Secretary 2024-2026 & Professional Development Committee Chair | To email Beth, click here. ODHA Winter & Spring Education Series Due to the success of its Fall Education Series, the ODHA will be offering a Winter & Spring Education Series for hygienists to benefit from. ODHA Professional Members and Students will receive this series as a member benefit. New Professionals and Graduate Members who receive a significantly discount from the ADHA will be offered a nominal registration rate of $99 for the series, or $24.75 per course. Non-members can register for $199 for the series, $54.75 per course. The series is flexible, offering in-person options, live Zoom broadcasts, and on-demand viewing. If viewing on demand, individuals will have 90 days from the date each course is posted to complete the course in its entirety. To view course descriptions, learning outcomes, presenter bios, and to register for the Winter & Spring Education Series, click here. If you missed the Fall Education Series, you can now access its four courses on demand. To learn more, click here.
Presenter: Danette Ocegueda, MS, RDH Thursday, February 19, 2026 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm - 2 CEs (Virtual via Zoom & On Demand)
Presenter: Lisa J. Rowley, MSDH, RDH, CDA, FADHA Thursday, March 19, 2026 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm - 2 CEs (In-Person at Pacific University, Hillsboro; Virtual via Zoom, On Demand)
Presenter: Jeannie Bopp, MSAH, BS, RDH Thursday, April 23, 2026 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm - 2 CEs (Virtual via Zoom & On Demand)
Presenter: Emily McCadden, BSDH, RDH Thursday, June 4, 2026 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm - 2 CEs (Virtual via Zoom & On Demand)
Seeking Volunteers for Dental Trip to Guatemala Nuevas Sonrisas is seeking two or three dental hygienists to volunteer for their next service trip to Guatemala scheduled for April 11-19, 2026. Spanish language skills are preferred, but not required.The trip cost is $550 + airfare & financial assistance may be available. Team meetings are held in Portland, Oregon usually 9-11 AM on Saturdays. Nuevas Sonrisas dental team is made up of American & Guatemalan dental providers, & assistants, educators & other volunteers. Our team is supported by the Santa Catarina Mita Municipality, the local School District & the regional Health Department. Together we plan & carry-out yearly week-long dental clinics & education programs provided in elementary schools. Our goals are to teach children & parents how to care for their teeth using good dental habits & a healthier diet, & to provide educational resources for teachers to use in their classrooms. Students receive fluoride treatments twice each year, first during our dental clinic visit & later in the year with the help of the local health department workers. During our dental clinics we apply fluoride & sealants, & provide restorative work & extractions when needed. Please call Sue Sanzi-Schaedel, MPH, RDH at 503-804-3210 if you are interested in volunteering for this trip. Sue has participated in this trip for 15 years & it has been one of the highlights of her life. For more information about Nuevas Sonrisas, click here. Your Membership Matters
Can you believe it, it’s January 2026!! I don’t know about you all but I’m ready to say “Goodbye” to 2025!! There’s always some good that can come from a “tough” year. There’s always something to be learned from being challenged, and one way or another, there’s always growth. As dental hygienists we are challenged every day: by our patients, by our bosses and hopefully, also by ourselves. The biggest takeaway from this year for me is to persevere. I heard a great quote recently that said: “The will to persevere is often the difference between failure and success”. Success, what is success? Being so involved with ODHA, I am always thinking about our profession of dental hygiene. You’ll often find me pondering about finding ways to get the word out to those who don’t know that dental hygiene is a field to behighly respected. Whether it be thinking about how my conversation with a patient can be more impactful or when I am discussing with a stranger what I do for work. I want others to know that we have earned the right to be called “professionals” and we have, in my opinion, one of the most important missions as healthcare providers. Our work is important to patients and ourselves from a patient care standpoint, but also because our work is our financial sustenance. This is a property of our profession that is not a given. Our standing and our rights can be taken away and this has a real world impact on our everyday lives. This is where membership comes in. Membership shows the world our ability to organize and come together as one strong voice. Without the numbers, our collective voice can wane, others can doubt our unity and abilities to organize.This matters! Our numbers, our voice, our ability to be heard is our “street cred.” Without it, unfortunately, some will not take us seriously. We currently have an amazing leader for the membership committee, but we need more voices to help push membership in Oregon forward and this is where you can come in and make a difference by volunteering. Jen Wilson, the Membership Director is such a wealth of information and truly knows about recruiting & retaining membership and what having a strong voice (meaning more members!) can do for our profession. Not only that, she’s all around fun to work with! Please…..Volunteer; join the team! It’s free, and it’s purposeful. Aren’t we all looking for purpose? This is your opportunity! And again, I promise, it’s fun and you won’t regret it! I can’t wait to see new volunteers at our meetings! I can’t wait to meet YOU! All of us, we have so much in common, and let me tell you, it is so funto be a part of the voice of ODHA, which is amplified when you volunteer on one of these committees. Right now we are in a place of restructuring and growing the organization and it would be so great for you to become a part of ODHA in a more formal manner by volunteering in membership. If that's not of interest to you there are other open positions….this is the time!!! Help ODHA persevere and help your profession succeed in continuing to be highly regarded and rewarded for our professional standing in healthcare! If you want more info, or just want to pick my brain, please email me. I’m happy to answer questions, meet for a cup of coffee, whatever! We are in this together! Side note: when I first volunteered, I was thinking I would be looped in to do things I didn’t have time for. This is not what it means to be an ODHA volunteer. Volunteering means whatever you want it to, and ANYTHING you can contribute is appreciated. There is no pressure when you step into leadership at ODHA, only appreciation! We all have busy lives, and your fellow volunteers will constantly give you kudos for showing up and push you to put your own life and family first. With warmth & appreciation, Heidi Klobes, MEd, PDH, CDA, OMT
Metro East Component Director 2026-2028 | To email Heidi, click here. ODHA ADVOCACY NEWS Who Regulates Dental Hygiene in Oregon? Dental hygiene practice in Oregon is regulated by both the Oregon State Legislature and the Oregon Board of Dentistry.
Together the Oregon dental laws & dental administrative rules, along with other related laws comprise the Oregon Dental Practice Act. To view the Oregon Dental Practice Act, click here to download or view a PDF file. For more information, click on Regulation of Dental Hygiene in Oregon, or click on this link to email ODHA Advocacy Director Lisa J. Rowley. 2026 Oregon Legislative Session The 2026 Oregon Legislative Assembly will be in session for the purpose of lawmaking February 2 through March 8, 2026.The Oregon Legislature meets for a maximum of 35 days in even-numbered years (short session) & for a maximum of 160 days in odd-numbered years (long session). The 2026 Oregon Legislative Session will be a short session so it will meet for a maximum of 35 days. The ODHA will monitor & comment on bills related to dentistry throughout the 2026 Oregon Legislative Session. Click here to email ODHA Advocacy Director Lisa J. Rowley for questions, more information, or comments about ODHA advocacy issues, and if you would like to become involved in ODHA Advocacy activities. Oral Preventive Assistant LegislationThe ODHA is closely monitoring Oral Preventive Assistant legislation that may be introduced in other states this year. The Oral Preventive Assistant (OPA) model, also called a scaling assistant, is an expanded function dental assistant with limited training who can perform periodontal probing & supragingival scaling for healthy patients. The ADHA & ODHA are opposed to the OPA model and are opposed to allowing individuals who have not completed a CODA accredited dental hygiene education program to become licensed dental hygienists. Prior to 2025 this model had already been legal in Kansas & Illinois. The state of Missouri is currently conducting a scaling assistant pilot project. In 2025 an OPA bill passed in Arizona, & was narrowly defeated in Nevada. We anticipate that OPA legislation will be introduced this year in Georgia, Missouri, Oklahoma, Virginia & Washington. It is imperative that we contact our legislators to inform them about this issue and explain how this model could jeopardize patient care in Oregon. For more information, click here. DDH Compact Legislation The Oregon Dental Association & Oregon Dental Hygienists’ Association along with several stakeholder groups supported & promoted DDH Compact legislation during the 2025 Oregon Legislative Session. Unfortunately, testimony in opposition to other compact bills resulted in our DDH Compact bill “dying” in committee. The ODA & the ODHA will not pursue DDH Compact legislation this year because the 2026 Oregon Legislative Session will be a short session that will only meet for a maximum of 35 days. The DDH Compact will allow a dentist or dental hygienist who has a license in one participating state to apply for compact privilege in another participating state. The compact privilege will allow the dentist or dental hygienist to practice in the other participating state without needing to obtain a license in that state. Only states that enact this legislation may participate in the DDH Compact. The following 12 states have adopted DDH Compact legislation: Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, Wisconsin & Washington. We anticipate that this legislation will be introduced in several other states this year. For more information about the DDH Compact, click here.
February Board Meeting The Oregon Board of Dentistry will meet on Friday, February 27, 2026, 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, click here to email ODHA Advocacy Director Lisa J. Rowley for more information. Oregon Board of Dentistry meetings will be held on the following Fridays in 2026: April 24, June 12, August 21, December 11. ODHA Representatives to Board Standing Committees At the beginning of each year, the Oregon Board of Dentistry asks the ODHA to submit the names of dental hygienists who will represent the ODHA on standing committees of the Board. The ODHA has a representative on each of the following standing committees of the Oregon Board of Dentistry: Communications; Dental Assistant Workforce Shortage Committee; Dental Hygiene; Enforcement & Discipline; Licensing, Standards & Competency; Rules Oversight. Standing committees of the Oregon Board of Dentistry meet to discuss issues that are referred to them & then make recommendations back to the Board. Standing committees may or may not meet throughout the year. Representatives to these standing committees serve for one year, from May through April, & may be reappointed. The ODHA representatives to these standing committees are appointed by the ODHA President with approval of the ODHA Board of Directors. This is a volunteer position with no remuneration & no reimbursement for expenses. Botox & Scaling Assistant Rules The ODHA will continue to work with the Oregon Board of Dentistry (OBD) to adopt an administrative rule that will allow dental hygienists to administer Botox & an administrative rule that will clarify that dental assistants are not allowed scale teeth & are not allowed to perform periodontal probing. These two proposed administrative rules did not pass in 2025, but they were referred to committee for further discussion. The ODHA will participate in these committee meetings to advocate for these two proposed rules. 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:
ADHA News ADHA White Paper Dental Hygiene Self-Regulation In December 2025 the ADHA released “Dental Hygiene Self-Regulation: How Self-Regulation Strengthens Public Protection and Expands Access to Care,” a white paper examining how professional self-regulation can empower dental hygienists to better serve the public & address barriers to oral healthcare. “Dental hygienists are uniquely qualified to regulate their own education, licensure, practice standards & discipline,” said Lancette VanGuilder, ADHA President. “Self-regulation isn’t about serving our own interests, it’s about removing conflicts of interest so that decisions about dental hygiene practice are made with the public’s health as the top priority.” The white paper calls for dental hygienists to become informed about self-regulation, advocate for change with peers, patients, & policymakers, & collaborate with key stakeholders to advance self-governance in the public’s best interest. The white paper was authored by Cynthia C. Gadbury-Amyot, EdD, RDH; Sylvie Martel, DipHE, RDH; and Lisa J. Rowley, MSDH, RDH and is available for download by clicking on this link. ADHA Student Chapter Video Competition The ADHA’s Student Chapter Video Competition gives dental hygiene students from across the country a platform to show the incredible work they are doing each & every day through their student chapters of ADHA. The students are charged with creating a short, engaging video that treats the viewer like their patients & showcases how dental hygienists play a vital role in prevention, education & patient empowerment. Sponsored by Heartland Dental, this year’s theme “It Starts with You” showcased the power of professional autonomy in dental hygiene. Three winning student chapters received cash prizes & their videos are displayed on ADHA social media. Congratulations to Rogue Community College who won 1st Place in this student video competition. Their student chapter of ADHA received $2,000 that they can use for professional association activities. You can view their winning video by clicking on this link. Congratulations to Pacific University who won 3rd Place in this student video competition. Their student chapter of ADHA received $500 that they can use for professional association activities. You can view their winning video by clicking on this link. Renew Your ADHA Membership A great big THANK YOU to those of you who have already renewed your ADHA membership for 2026! The ADHA & ODHA are working diligently to protect licensure, advance license portability, expand access to care & put patient safety first. Your professional membership makes our advocacy possible. If you have not already done so, please renew your ADHA membership today to help us protect & advance the dental hygiene profession. Click on this link to renew your membership. ADHA Hygienist Hub Hygienist Hub is ADHA’s new resource for short articles on clinical updates, career strategies, highlights and can’t-miss stories. To access any of the following topics, click on www.adha.org/hygienist-hub/.
ADHA Hygiene Rising
ADHA’s Hygiene Rising: Real Talk on Oral Health is the official podcast for the American Dental Hygienists' Association. Join us as we discuss relevant thoughts, ideas, and best practices for hygienists throughout the United States. Be sure to reach out with ideas for our show on any of the social media channels! Some recent topics include: 51 Hot Dogs and a Dental Hygiene Degree: Miki Sudo's Journey (Ep 172)When competitive eating champion meets dental hygiene student, you get a episode unlike any other. Matt Crespin welcomes Miki Sudo, an 11-time Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest champion who holds the world record of 51 hot dogs in 10 minutes & is a recent graduate of the dental hygiene program at Hillsborough Community College.
Critical Conversations: Recognizing Signs of Domestic Violence in Your Chair (Ep 171)
Matt Crespin sits down with Australian dental hygienist and entrepreneur Tabitha Acret for a conversation that moves from career inspiration to life-saving advocacy. Tabitha opens up about why Domestic Violence Awareness Month carries profound meaning for her.
For more information, click on click on Hygiene Rising - Podcast - Apple Podcasts.ADHA Foundation UpdateScholarship & Grant Application Deadlines ADHA Foundation Scholarships provide financial support for students enrolled in associate, baccalaureate & graduate degree programs. Student and professional members of ADHA are eligible to apply for these scholarships. The application cycle for these scholarships is open now and the application deadline is February 28, 2026. ADHA Foundation Community Service Grants support public health projects led by dental hygienists to benefit their communities. The application cycle for these grantsopens on January 1, 2026, and the application deadline is March 31, 2026. For more information about the ADHA Foundation, click here. ADHA Foundation Legacy League The ADHA Foundation Legacy League recognizes individuals who have committed to make a recurring monthly donation to the ADHA Foundation to support its mission of advancing the dental hygiene profession through scholarships, research, and community service. You can join the Legacy League by scheduling a recurring monthly donation of at least $20 per month ($240 per year) 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. Please click here to set up your monthly recurring donation. Upcoming Events National Children's Dental Health Month
February is National Children's Dental Health Month (NCDHM). a national health observance to promote the benefits of good oral health sponsored by the American Dental Association (ADA). Every day should be about children’s dental health. The ADA offers free materials to celebrate and promote children’s dental health. Posters are available for digital download in two designs and two sizes: 8.5"x11" and 11"x17". Matching coloring sheets in two designs are offered in 8.5"x11". All materials are available in English and Spanish. For more information, click here.National Mobile & Teledentistry Conference
2026 National Oral Health Conference
The NOHC is the premier meeting for those interested in continuing education and networking opportunities within the discipline of Dental Public Health. NOHC offers educational sessions on a diverse array of topics by leaders in the field and is designed for dentists, dental hygienists, health researchers, dental/health educators, legislators, public health officials, Medicaid/CHIP dental program staff or consultants, state/territorial dental directors, county/city/local dental directors, community health center personnel, students, school-based and school-linked health center personnel, federally-employed dental personnel, as well as dental manufacturers/distributors and dental insurance companies – in short, anyone interested in engaging in collaboration to improve the oral health of the public. For more information, click here. Dental Assistants Recognition Week Dental Assistants Recognition Week, also known as DARW, is designated by the American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA) as the time to acknowledge & recognize dental assistants as valued members of the dental team. DARW is observed each year during the first full week of March to celebrate the commitment & dedication that dental assistants exhibit throughout the year. This year’s celebration will be held March 1-7, 2026. Now more than ever dental assistants are essential to the practice of dentistry. Today’s dental assistants strengthen the entire dental practice & enhance the patient care experience. Dental assistants are committed to professional development & quality dental care. Dental assisting continues to diversify & expand as a healthcare profession. Whether working chairside with a dentist, taking x-rays or managing the business office, teaching or working in insurance or sales, dental assistants are vital to the success of the dentistry. Start planning now for ways to celebrate & recognize the dental assistants who work with you during the 2028 Dental Assistants Recognition Week. |