Happy Holidays from IDHA

Enjoy this heartfelt holiday greeting from President Becky Smith, President Elect Erin Haley-Hitz and Vice President Lancette VanGuilder.

Brilliance looks good on you Illinois! You’re far too smart to let your ADHA membership expire on December 31, 2023. Renew today for members-only access to a comprehensive online learning solution that combines high-quality continuing education and CE tracking all in one place.

Lifelong friendships and professional colleagues. The best CE courses. Big savings. And an epic annual conference in New Orleans next July. Renew your passion for oral health and stay connected for another year to fellow Illinois members who share your passion for oral health! Renew for ’24 now at mymembership.adha.org

SATURDAY March 9TH, 2024 8AM-4PM

FIRST 13 REGISTRANTS WILL RECEIVE A $200 REIMBURSEMENT

To make sure you qualify to take the PHDH Certification course; and to register visit IDHA.net/PHDH

IDHA received a $20,000 grant to help Illinois RDHs complete PHDH certification!

This grant makes PHDH certification FREE for IDHA members*

and discounted for non-members.

*ADHA membership dues must be paid through the end of 2024.

This offer will NOT be available after the March class

Public Health Dental Hygienist Certification Course

(PHDH Review and Exam Course)

Next Course: March 9, 2024

8:00 am - 4:00 pm

ZOOM Webinar

8 Live CEUs

$200 for IDHA/ADHA Members - $600 for Non-Members - ($200 reimbursed upon successful completion of the exam)

To make sure you qualify to take the PHDH Certification course; and to register visit IDHA.net/PHDH

BE IN THE KNOW

IDHA concerned about the residents of Illinois

Every five years, Illinois develops a state health assessment (SHA) and a state health improvement plan (SHIP). A collaborative public/private cross-agency effort, the SHA and SHIP assess and recommend priorities and strategies to improve the public health system and the health status of Illinoisans, to reduce health disparities and inequities, and to promote health equity.

Healthy Illinois 2028 outlines the goals, objectives, and recommended strategies to improve the health of Illinois residents and to advance health equity specifically in the priority areas identified in the SHA: 

chronic disease

COVID-19 and emerging diseases

maternal and infant health

mental health and substance use disorder

racism as a public health crisis 

After the priority areas were announced, there was a public forum for individuals to speak to the committee. These are all valid and important priorities to work on for the residents of Illinois. 

However, upon reading the goals and objectives for each one of these priorities, it was noted that ORAL HEALTH was mentioned ONCE throughout the draft. As dental hygienists, our focus is on prevention, and every one of these priorities would benefit from a healthy mouth. Your current president, Lori McNamara, and past president, Kym Dallstream felt very strongly that dental care needed to be part of these priorities. They had the opportunity to speak at one of the open forums regarding the fact that oral health was not being considered in any of these priorities. (Only 30 speakers were allowed for 3 minutes, each).

Along with Lori McNamara and Kym Dallstream, President-Elect Tomika Flowers contributed written testimony to the public forum (another option to advocate on behalf of oral care) regarding the importance of dental health being added to these health priorities. Prevention is cheaper than treatment, and IDHA will always support dental education and preventive care for the residents of Illinois.

Were you able to participate in the forum? Share your thoughts, comments and concerns on our Facebook page - facebook.com/illinoisdentalhygienists/

For more information about Healthy Illinois 2028, visit dph.illinois.gov

IDHA SHOP

Need a last minute gift or stocking stuffer for your IDHA buddy? Visit the IDHA shop!

Free shipping on all orders until the end of the year!