Hello Everyone!!

I hope everyone is enjoying the summer and getting a little sun and relaxation.  

In June, Karla Jalbert, Angie Breedlove, Hollie Harrington, and I had the opportunity to go to the Center for Lifelong Learning (CLL) in Las Vegas. The “CLL” is the new name for the ADHA national convention. It was held from June 23-29. There were many continuing education courses that could be taken, but our main purpose for going was to attend the House of Delegates (HOD) and network with other hygienists from across the country.

The House of Delegates is the principal body within our Association responsible for establishing policy for the association and providing direction for matters relating to the practice of dental hygiene. This is where hygienists from other State Board of Trustees across the United States come together to vote on our national By Laws, PBY’s and Proposed Resolutions (PR). You have to be a delegate to be on House of Delegates to vote, but any ADHA member can go to this meeting and observe. You’d be amazed at how many different ways a simple sentence could be looked at or how people interpret it.

There was also what is called a mega issues forum. This is a forum where constituents (delegates) come together in one room and work with hygienists from other states. There are 2 issues that are chosen that seem to be consistent throughout the US and break it down on how to solve the issue. The issues this year were “How will the new healthcare reform bill affect dental hygiene and how will dental hygienists be ready for the changes?”  It’s amazing to see this process and learn what is happening in dental hygiene around the United States. Each state has different practice acts and some hygienists are trying to keep their occupation separate from dental assistants. 

That brings me to the question that was asked to me by a private practice hygienist. “Why should I be a member of the NDDHA when the only benefit is a couple magazines?”  To be honest with you, I didn’t know the answer until I became more active in NDDHA and joined the Board of Trustees. I still don’t know everything, but I sure can tell you this, if we do not have members we may not have an organization. Without a state hygienist association, we will not have anyone on the national level to fight for our profession. Without ADHA, we will lose our voice “at the table” when preventive dental decisions are made.

Please take the time to read this newsletter. There are many articles that pertain to the future of our profession. We need your help whether you want to join us at the next dental meeting at Minot in September, or if you want to join a committee. Other organizations are working together to help our patients access dental care. Help us make sure Registered Dental Hygienists are the number one preventive dental profession in the state of ND.

Respectfully submitted,
Jeri Summers