ODHA’s Fall Education Series will include four continuing education courses:

• Medical Emergencies Update – 8:00-12:00 PM on Friday, September 26

• Complications of Local Anesthesia – 6:30-8:30 PM on Thursday, October 9

• Dental Outreach: Expanding Your Horizons and Cultural Awareness – 6:30-8:30 PM on Wednesday, October 15

• Infection Prevention Protocols & Recommendations – 6:30-8:30 PM on Thursday, November 6

Professional Members will receive the ODHA Fall Education Series at no cost as a benefit of membership. New Professionals and Graduate Members who are receiving a significant member discount or complimentary membership from the ADHA can register for the Fall Education Series for $99, or $24.75 for individual courses. Non-members can register for the Fall Education Series for $199 or $62.25 for individual courses until Friday, September 19. After that date, the non-member fee is $249 for the series.

Registrants will have the option to attend each course in-person or virtually. If attending virtually, you will have 90 days to complete the course once available online. To view course descriptions, presenters, and to register, click here today!

Dental Hygiene Faculty Member Publishes Article

Ilya Babiy MS, RDH, EPP full-time faculty member at Mount Hood Community College, has had an article publishes in RDH magazine. Why Dental Professionals Should Incorporate Portable Dentistry talks about how a single phone call revealed a hidden dental care crisis for patients who are homebound or unable to be transported to a dental office. The article discusses the desperate need for portable dental services for these patients. 

In addition to his faculty position at MHCC, in 2014 Ilya started On-Site Oral Health Care a portable dental hygiene business and in 2021 he co-founded Good News Dental an expanded practice brick and mortar cooperative clinic. You can email Ilya at [email protected] or follow him on Instagram at @ilya.rdh.

RCC Dental Hygiene Students Volunteer in St. Lucia

The dental hygiene students and instructors from Rogue Community College recently participated in a humanitarian outreach trip to St. Lucia, in partnership with Great Shape! Inc.'s 1000 Smiles Project. During the trip, the team provided essential dental hygiene services to more than 700 local residents, many of whom had limited access to oral health care.

This immersive, hands-on experience offered the students an unparalleled opportunity to enhance their clinical skills and professional growth, gaining in one week what could take months to learn in a traditional dental office setting. Most importantly, the team contributed to addressing a critical need by delivering care to an underserved population in urgent need of dental services. We are so proud of our students!

September is Dental Infection Control Awareness Month

Dental Infection Control Awareness Month (DICAM) is sponsored in September each year by the Association for Dental Safety (ADS) formerly known as OSAP. The theme of DICAM is "Embracing a Culture of Safety: Empowering Patients and the Dental Team." The ADS offers informative and engaging materials covering the latest dental infection control guidance and regulations. You can use their Social Media Toolkit to help you showcase your infection control and safety practices and demonstrate your commitment to keeping patients safe.

For more information, visit www.myads.org/dicam.  

Case Study Needs Input from EPDH Professionals

Brenna Chavarin, a student at the University of Phoenix, is working towards a Doctorate in Health Administration and serves as the principal investigator for a research study entitled "Dental Hygienists and Direct Access Preventive Care: An Explanatory Case Study." The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore the perceptions of direct access dental hygienists regarding the provision of preventive oral health care in rural dental health professional shortage areas (DHPSAs) in Oregon. Findings from this study will help address gaps in the literature and improve understanding of direct access dental hygienists' perceptions regarding the provision of preventive oral health care.

To participate in this study, you must meet the following criteria:

1. You hold a current license to practice dental hygiene in Oregon
2. You currently hold a direct access permit or expanded practice permit for Oregon
3. You are at least 18 years old

Participation Involves:

1. Signing an informed consent form
2. Participating in one approximately 90-minute individual interview over the telephone
3. Brenna Chavarin will conduct each participant's remote telephone interview in her home in a room alone with the door shut to maintain the confidentiality of each participant.

Additional Information:

1. Interviews will be audio-recorded
2. Participants will not receive monetary compensation

If you have any questions about this case study, please email [email protected]. 

To participate, please read and sign the informed consent and confidentiality form and return it to Brenna at [email protected].

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].  

Have You Moved this Year?

If your dental hygiene license expires this year, you should have received a yellow postcard from the Oregon Board of Dentistry. If you did not receive the postcard, it may be because you have not updated your address with the Board. You can update your address through the Licensee Portal at www.oregon.gov/dentistry. 

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].  

Public Rulemaking Process

The Oregon Board of Dentistry will be considering many proposed rule amendments at their October Board meeting, but two are of special interest to dental hygienists.

OAR 818-035-0030 Additional Functions of Dental Hygienists if adopted by the Board will allow dental hygienists with a local anesthesia endorsement to use Botulinum Toxin Type A to treat conditions that are within the oral and maxillofacial region under the general supervision of a dentist. Dental hygienists will need to complete a minimum of 10 hours in hands-on clinical course offered by an approved provider or training as part of a CODA accredited program.

OAR 818-042-0040 Prohibited Acts if adopted will prohibit dental assistants from periodontal probing and scaling to remove deposits and stains. This proposed rule amendment is intended to clarify an existing law which states that “It is unlawful for any person not otherwise authorized by law to practice dental hygiene or purport to be a dental hygienist without a valid license to practice dental hygiene issued by the Oregon Board of Dentistry.”

The public comment period for these proposed rule amendments will be open from September 2, 2025, through October 10, 2025. You will receive a separate email message from ODHA that with instructions for submitting your comments on these two rules to the Oregon Board of Dentistry. The Board members will vote on these proposed rule amendments during their October 24th meeting.

Dental Assisting Workforce Shortage Advisory Committee Meeting

The Oregon Board of Dentistry’s Dental Assisting Workforce Shortage Advisory Committee will meet on Tuesday, September 23rd beginning at 5:00 PM. This meeting will be held via Zoom. For additional information, visit the Board website at www.oregon.gov/dentistry. Scroll down to About Us and click on Meetings. 

Dental Therapy Committee Meeting 

The Oregon Board of Dentistry’s Dental Therapy Rules Oversight Committee will meet on Wednesday, October 8th beginning at 5:00 PM. This meeting will be held via Zoom. One of the agenda items will be discussion of a proposed rule amendment to allow dental therapists to place space maintainers. For additional information, visit the Board website at www.oregon.gov/dentistry. Scroll down to About Us and click on Meetings.

October Board Meeting

The Oregon Board of Dentistry will meet on Friday, October 24, 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.  Board members will vote on the proposed rule amendments at this meeting. 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. The next Oregon Board of Dentistry meeting will be held on Friday, 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:

• Up to three complimentary sessions (a one-time benefit that can be spread across multiple years)

• Appointments are generally available within three business days

• Care without a “paper trail” or reporting to insurance or professional board

ADHA News

Congratulations to the following Oregon students who received ADHA Foundation scholarships this year.

• Lauren Davis – Portland Community College
• Majax Nduta – Mount Hood Community College
• Adriana Reiboi – Mount Hood Community College
• Kylie Burk – Oregon Institute of Technology
• Mónica Sarmiento – Pacific University

These scholarships are made possible by people like you who make donations to the ADHA Foundation. You can join the Foundation’s Legacy League by scheduling a recurring donation of at least $20 per month (total $240 per year) at www.mightycause.com/donate/Jfbqxe. 

ADHA Eliminates House of Delegates

The American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA) is replacing its House of Delegates with a new governance model to improve flexibility and increase member involvement. The 102nd and final House of Delegates was held June 27-28.

The new governance structure includes a streamlined Board of Directors consisting of nine Directors-at-Large selected for their expertise and competencies. The Vice President will now become President-Elect. A new governance committee will help select board candidates, with two members elected by ADHA’s voting members.

This new governance structure will allow all members to submit policy proposals year-round for Board review expanding participation opportunities while eliminating the constraints of the annual House of Delegates cycle. This change addresses evolving needs in today’s healthcare landscape, where associations require agility to respond to rapidly changing legislative and regulatory environments. ADHA’s decision reflects a broader trend among professional organizations seeking more efficient governance structures.

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/. 

• Invisible in the Room: When My Voice as a Dental Hygienist Was Dismissed

• Building Bridges: ADHA’s Strategic Return to Federal Advocacy

• Why Dental Hygienists Are Essential Providers, Not Support Staff

• WNL…Within Normal Limits. It’s Time to Rethink “Normal”

• Advocating for Your Personal Protection, Comfort, and Clinical Confidence in Dental Hygiene

• Turning Conversations into Careers: My Hygienist Inspired Journey

• Unleashing the Truth: Dogs Get Better Dental Laws Than You

The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) offers a wide variety of podcasts that address current issues and best practices for dental hygienists. Some recent topics include:

• Safety & Standards Under Fire: ADHA and Nevada RDHs Rise to Legislative Defense (episode 162)

• Licensed to Travel: Navigating Multiple State Licensures (episode 161)

For more information, visit www.adha.org/pod. 

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.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Dental Assistants One-Day Conference

The Oregon Dental Assistants Association's is hosting a one-day conference to be held on Friday, September 12, 2025 at the Sheraton Portland Airport. This event is made possible by ODAA's partnership with the Oregon Association of Dental Laboratories (OADL) that is hosting their two-day conference at the same venue.

The courses are intended to be of interest for all dental team members. Registration fees extend discounted pricing for members of all professional associations. Participants can register for a half-day or full-day. Lunch is included for both half-day and full-day registrations.

For more information or to register, visit www.oregondentalassistants.com. 

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.