President’s Message

As we welcome July and embrace the heart of summer, I am reminded of the many ways dental hygienists continue to improve the health and well-being of Oregonians every day. Whether serving patients in traditional clinical settings, community health centers, schools, long-term care facilities, mobile dental programs, or independent practices, dental hygienists remain at the forefront of prevention, education, and access to care.

July provides several opportunities to reflect on the connection between oral health and overall wellness. The month includes UV Safety Awareness Month, reminding us of the importance of protecting our patients from harmful ultraviolet exposure. As oral health professionals, we play a critical role in performing comprehensive oral cancer screenings and educating patients about risk factors, including excessive sun exposure, that may contribute to lip or skin cancers. Early detection continues to save lives and every patient encounter presents an opportunity for prevention and education.

July is also recognized as National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month, highlighting the importance of multidisciplinary care and the impact oral health professionals have throughout a patient's lifetime. Dental hygienists serve as trusted members of the healthcare team, providing preventive care, education, and ongoing support for individuals affected by craniofacial conditions.

As we celebrate these important health observances, I would also like to focus on a topic that remains critical to the future of oral healthcare in Oregon: the utilization of the Expanded Practice Dental Hygienist (EPDH). For almost 30 years, Oregon has been a national leader in empowering dental hygienists to provide preventive services directly to underserved populations. Yet despite the tremendous potential of the EPDH model, many communities continue to experience barriers to care, particularly in rural areas, long-term care settings, schools, and among populations facing transportation, financial, or workforce challenges.

As Oregon continues to address healthcare workforce shortages, EPDHs are proving to be an essential part of the solution. By expanding access to preventive oral healthcare services and reaching patients who might otherwise go without care, EPDHs help strengthen the healthcare system while improving health outcomes. Their ability to practice in community-based settings allows them to meet patients where they are, reducing barriers and supporting earlier intervention before oral health concerns become more serious and costly.

Across our state, EPDHs are demonstrating the value of expanded practice every day. They deliver preventive services in community settings, coordinating care with medical providers, providing oral health education, applying fluoride varnish and sealants, screening for disease, and helping connect patients to needed restorative and specialty care. Through mobile programs, telehealth collaborations, and community partnerships, EPDHs are reaching patients where they live, learn, work, and age.

Many EPDHs are also leading the way in medical-dental integration. By collaborating with primary care providers, behavioral health teams, care coordinators, and community health workers, they are helping bridge the gap between oral health and overall health. These partnerships support whole-person care, improve chronic disease management, increase preventive services, and create opportunities for earlier identification of health concerns. As healthcare continues to evolve toward integrated, patient-centered models, dental hygienists are uniquely positioned to contribute their expertise and improve outcomes across the continuum of care.

These efforts are improving access, reducing barriers, and supporting healthier communities. More importantly, they demonstrate that prevention-centered models of care can effectively address oral health disparities while complementing Oregon's broader healthcare goals.

As an association, ODHA remains committed to advocating for policies and opportunities that support the full utilization of dental hygienists and EPDHs. By educating stakeholders, collaborating with healthcare partners, and sharing the success stories occurring throughout our state, we can continue advancing the profession while improving access to care for those who need it most. Every successful medical-dental partnership, community outreach effort, and expanded practice program strengthens the case for greater utilization of EPDHs throughout Oregon.

I encourage every member to consider how your unique skills and experiences can contribute to this vision. Whether you are practicing clinically, serving in public health, mentoring future professionals, volunteering in your community, or exploring expanded practice opportunities, your work matters. Together, we are shaping the future of oral healthcare in Oregon and demonstrating the vital role dental hygienists play in Oregon's healthcare workforce.

Thank you for your continued dedication to our profession, your patients, and the communities we serve. I hope you find time this summer to recharge, connect with family and friends, and enjoy the many beautiful places Oregon has to offer.

Respectfully,

ODHA President 2024-2026 | To email Kim, click here.

ODHA Advocacy News

2026 State Regulatory Updates

The ODHA is monitoring regulatory issues across the country that may impact the dental hygiene profession and the oral health of the public.

Oklahoma

Oklahoma’s dental statutes and rules have expanded the level of supervision for several dental hygiene procedures. Dental hygienists may now perform the administration of nitrous oxide analgesia, administration of local anesthesia, and therapeutic use of lasers under general supervision (dentist not in the building) as authorized by the Oklahoma Board of Dentistry.

The updated rules also clarify that dental assistants may work under general supervision only to expose dental radiographs, if they hold the appropriate Expanded Duty Permit. This is the only expanded function a dental assistant may perform under general supervision.

Virginia 

On July 1st legislation that creates a certified preventive dental assistant went into effect in Virginia. The certified preventive dental assistant can perform supragingival scaling with hand instruments and ultrasonic scalers and perform coronal polishing under the indirect supervision of a licensed dentist. The certified preventive dental assistant must have at least 1,800 hours ofclinical experience, complete at least 120 hours of didactic and clinical training on manikins or human subjects and have a supervising dentist certify under oath that the assistant has completed at least 20 supervised full-mouth supragingival scaling procedures. 

Update on DLOSCE Examination

In April 2026 the American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX) finalized an agreement to license the ADA’s Dental Licensure Objective Structured Clinical Examination (DLOSCE) for incorporation into the ADEX Dental Examination. With this agreement, the DLOSCE will become one component of the ADEX Dental Examination in addition to the other components that assess candidates’ clinical hand skills using simulated patient manikins. 

https://adextesting.org/ada-and-adex-advance-dental-licensure-through-new-agreement/ 

We do not yet know how this agreement will affect the DHLOSCE, but we can assume that the DHLOSCE will also become a component of the ADEX Dental Hygiene Examination and will not be available as a stand-alone clinical board examination.

Update on DDH Compact

The Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact (DDH Compact) is an interstate agreement that will allow dentists and dental hygienists who are licensed in a participating state to apply for compact privilege to practice in another participating state without needing to obtain a license in that state. In April 2024 the DDH Compact became effective when the 7th state adopted the DDH Compact legislation. At this point 13 states have adopted this legislation. Oregon had a DDH Compact legislative bill in 2025, but it did not pass. We do not know yet if this bill will be introduced again for the 2027 Oregon Legislative Session. https://ddhcompact.org/.

When the DDH Compact became effective a DDH Compact Commission was formed that includes one representative from each participating state’s licensure authority (state dental board). The role of the DDH Compact Commission is to adopt bylaws and administrative rules that will be used to administer and implement the Compact. The Commission has an Executive Committee, a Finance Committee and a Rules Committee. The full Commission has been meeting bimonthly since August 2024.

One of the legislative requirements for a state to participate in the DDH Compact is that the state must require candidates to successfully completed a “clinical assessment” for licensure. The Commission has been discussing an administrative rule to further define “clinical assessment.” Some of the Commissioners want this definition to specify that participating states must require successfully complete a hand skills assessment for licensure and some Commissioners do not want the definition to specify that participating states must require successfully complete a hand skills assessment for licensure. Oregon & Washington do not require successful completion of a hand skills assessment for dental licensure, and Oregon does not require successful completion of a hands skills assessment for dental hygiene licensure.

Make Summer Count: Complete Your CE Requirements On Your Schedule

Summer is the perfect time to invest in yourself and your professional growth. Whether you're enjoying a well-deserved vacation, spending time with family, or simply taking advantage of a more flexible schedule, ODHA's On-Demand CE Library makes it easy to complete your continuing education when it's convenient for you.

The entire 2025–2026 Winter & Spring CE Series is now available on demand, giving dental hygienists the flexibility to learn anytime, anywhere, and at their own pace. No travel. No schedule conflicts. Just quality education designed specifically for dental hygiene professionals.

 From advocacy and professional engagement to clinical topics and emerging trends, these courses provide valuable insights while helping you stay current and meet your continuing education requirements.

ODHA members receive some of the most affordable continuing education opportunities available:

 Professional & Student Members

• Included as a member benefit at no additional cost

 New Professional & Graduate Members

• $159 for the complete series (8 CE credits)
• $24.75 per individual course

Non-Members

• $399 for the complete series (all 8 CE courses — a $39 savings)
• $54.75 per individual course

Not only is summer a great time to complete your CE requirements, butit's also an opportunity to learn from respected presenters and gain knowledge that can immediately benefit your patients, practice, and career.

Don't wait until your license renewal deadline approaches. Take advantage of the flexibility of on-demand learning and complete your CE requirements on your schedule.

To register, click here and make this summer a season of professional growth.

ODHA Advocacy News

If you received your Oregon dental hygiene license in an even year, your license will expire on September 30, 2026. You are personally responsible for renewing your license. License renewals must be completed online. You may not practice as a dental hygienist if your license has expired. If you continue to practice after your license expires, you can be disciplined for practicing without a license. 

All licensees are required to maintain at a minimum a current BLS for Healthcare Providers certification or its equivalent. ​You will be required to upload an image of your certification card with your license renewal. Additional information about license renewal is available on the Oregon Board of Dentistry website at www.oregon.gov/dentistry/Pages/renewal.aspx 

BLS Certification

The BLS certification standard is the American Heart Association’s BLS Healthcare Providers Course or its equivalent, as determined by the Board. This initial BLS course must be a hands-on course. Online BLS courses will not be approved by the Board for initial BLS certification. After the initial BLS certification, the Board will accept an Board-approved BLS for Healthcare Providers or its equivalent online renewal course for license renewal. A BLS certification card with an expiration date must be received from the BLS provider as documentation of BLS certification. The Board considers the BLS expiration date to be the last day of the month that the BLS instructor indicates that the certification expires.

Continuing Education Requirements

Dental hygienists licensed in Oregon must complete 24 hours of continuing educationrelated to direct clinical patient care or the practice of dental public health every renewal cycle. Dental hygienists who hold an Expanded Practice Permit must complete 36 (12 additional) hours of continuing education every renewal cycle.

Dental hygienist continuing education must include:

• At least three (3) hours of medical emergencies every renewal cycle

• At least two (2) hours of infection control every renewal cycle

• At least two (2) hours of cultural competency every renewal cycle​​

In order to renew a Nitrous Oxide Permit, dental hygienists must complete four (4) hours of continuing education in one or more of the following areas: sedation, nitrous oxide, physical evaluation, medical emergencies, monitoring and the use of monitoring equipment, or pharmacology of drugs and agents used in sedation.These four (4) hours may be counted toward fulfilling the continuing education requirement. 

ADHA News

ADHA Updates Workforce Position Statement with Emphasis on Retention

ADHA has released an updated position statement asserting that ongoing workforce challenges in dental hygiene stem from retention issues rather than a lack of qualified professionals.

This position statement was released on May 1, 2026 and supersedes the December 2024 version. Drawing on three independent bodies of research, the statement concludes that dental hygiene is not facing a shortage of trained clinicians but instead a shortage of workplace environments that support long-term career sustainability. Click on the following link for the full statement: https://www.adha.org/positions

The updated position statement outlines seven evidence-based priorities: responsive compensation; competitive benefits; positive workplace culture; professional autonomy and full utilization of scope of practice; licensure portability through the Dentist and Dental Hygienist (DDH) Compact; targeted pipeline growth through the Hygienist Inspired Chairside Recruitment Program; and expanded professional development pathways.

ADHA White Paper Outlines Doctoral Degree Pathways

ADHA has released a white paper titled “Advancing Dental Hygiene Education: A Strategic Framework for Developing Differentiated Doctoral Pathways.” This white paper outlines three doctoral pathways for dental hygiene and positions the profession for parity with nursing, physical therapy and pharmacy, each of which has built out doctoral-level training for advanced practice. 

The paper describes an entry-level professional doctorate, a Doctor of Philosophy and a Doctor of Oral Health Practice, each preparing dental hygienists for distinct roles in clinical practice, research and education. ADHA first identified doctoral education as a goal for the profession in 2005, and the white paper updates that work with current curricular models.

The white paper was authored by Leciel K. Bono, RDH-ER, MS, EdD, FADHA; Jennifer L. Brame, RDH, BSDH, MS, EdD; Jennifer Cullen, RDH, MPH; and Harold A. Henson, RDH, MEd, PhD, FADHA, and is available for download at adha.org/whitepapers

 ADHA 2026 Annual Conference Early Registration Ends August 7th