A Message From the President | |
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Hello Fellow Dental Hygienists!
It is Cicada time!!!
The little buggers are climbing up the trees and tires, and leaving their little
exoskeletons everywhere by me. Soon the noise will drown out all other summer noises.
CONGRATULATIONS to all our 2024 Dental Hygiene Graduates! We are so proud of all of you. Know that IDHA is here for you to mentor you in this next chapter of your profession. Reach out with questions, and remember to join us on Thursday, May 30, 2024 from 7:00-8:30 for “Tips for Securing your First Hygiene Position” with Carol Jahn. This FREE event, is courtesy of the SADHA Chapters of IDHA. Click on the link to get to registration.
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2023518548616654943
I was recently in California, visiting my daughter. I had the opportunity to go on a whale watching cruise (2 hours). I was lucky enough to see a stampede of dolphins, which is so exciting and beautiful to watch. We also were lucky and saw not one, but THREE blue whales. According to National Geographic:
“The blue whale is the largest animal on the planet, weighing as much as 200 tons (approximately 33 elephants). The blue whale has a heart the size of a Volkswagen Beetle. Its stomach can hold one ton of krill and it needs to eat about four tons of krill each day. They are an endangered species. According to the cruise I was on, only 1% of the population has seen a blue whale.”
At the end of the whale watching cruise, I received a button stating that I am now part of the 1% Club—meaning that only 1% of the population of humans has actually seen a blue whale out in the wild.
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Why am I writing about this? It made me realize that as dental hygienists, we are a unique bunch. We have a skill that not just anyone has. We worked hard (so hard) for our education, our license, and continue to take continuing education to keep up on the evidence-based information that is out there regarding dentistry. Being in this unique group, it is important to realize that we can do so much good sharing our knowledge not only to our patients, but also at health fairs, volunteering at access to care events (ie, Free clinics, Teamsmile, Colgate Bright.
Smiles Bright Futures, Crest/Oral B Closing the Smile Gap, Mission of Mercy.) Non dental persons can volunteer at these events, but ONLY the dental hygienist can perform the preventive tasks that can help make someone’s mouth healthier, which can then make their overall health better. Doing what we do naturally can make a difference in a person’s life. We may not see the ah-ha moment or the results of what we did, but just giving one little pearl or making the effort can sometimes really change a person’s perspective.
We have multiple health fairs scheduled this summer and fall. We hope that you will contact us to perhaps share your “pearls” at an event near you!
Happy summer to all!!
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Licensure Portability
Dentist/Dental Hygienist Licensure Compact becomes a reality!!!!
The licensure compact is now officially a compact with seven states passing their bills making it official. Congratulations to Colorado and Minnesota for being states 8 and 9! The bill is currently stalled in Illinois but we will continue to present legislation for Illinois to become part of the compact. Let your legislators know you want this compact for dental hygienists and dentists.
For more information regarding the compact, go to IDHA.net to see a recording of the most recent presentation regarding the compact, or go to ddh.org for more information.
The house bill is HB4579
The senate bill is SB2982
You can find your state legislator at elections.il.gov
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Tips for Securing Your First RDH Position
For New grads and Seasoned RDHs
Thursday May 30, 2024
7PM-8:30PM
FREE
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Carol Jahn, RDH, MS is a highly respected dental professional and the Director of Professional Relations and Education at Water Pik, Inc. | |
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This month’s spotlight is on Carol Jahn, a dental hygienist who has shattered the glass ceiling in her career as a Dental Hygienist!
Carol has practiced clinically in both general dentistry, as well as in a periodontal practice. She has been a speaker/educator for over 25 years. You will see her name on multiple peer reviewed dental hygiene magazines and groups. Carol currently serves as the Director of Professional Relations and Education at Water Pik, Inc.
A lifelong member of ADHA, Carol knows how important it is to stay involved. She has had leadership roles in the organization, including past President of ADHA, past Treasurer, and also as an ADHA Delegate. She has even traveled internationally while representing ADHA! Carol credits these experiences, and the networking that comes along with membership, to providing stepping stones in her career.
Carol is constantly looking at what challenges clinicians face and what she can do to help. She is currently involved in HYPAC, our Illinois professional Political Action Committee. This committee helps to educate the legislators about our profession and the bills we are supporting.
Carol feels that the addition of the PHDH Certification is helping to turn turmoil into opportunity for clinicians. She is very excited about the emergence of AI technology, and the potential that it will have to enhance the roles of the dental hygienist. With Sunset rapidly approaching, Carol encourages all hygienists to get involved in their organization, and have their voices be heard when it comes to working to our full scope of practice.
Carol Jahn will be presenting and inspiring new graduates in her upcoming presentation: “Tips for Securing your first RDH Position.” A FREE webinar that all are invited to attend!
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Public Health Dental Hygienist Certification Course
(PHDH Review and Exam Course)
Next Course: June 8, 2024
8:00 am - 4:00 pm
ZOOM Webinar
8 Live CEUs
To make sure you qualify to take the PHDH Certification course; and to register visit IDHA.net/PHDH
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Illinois Oral Health Conference
July 24-25, 2024
BOS Convention Center
1 Convention Center Plaza
Springfield, Illinois 62701
The Illinois Primary Health Care Association (IPHCA), in partnership with IFLOSS, will host the Illinois Oral Health Conference on July 24 – 25, 2024 at the BOS Center in Springfield, IL.
Why attend?
There will be 21 educational sessions that address many different subject areas. Attendees should expect to learn about:
· Workforce development and how to overcome challenges and obstacles.
· Clinical transformation and innovative strategies when it comes to integration, advocacy, and quality improvement.
· How to incorporate a comprehensive Diversity, Equity and Inclusion model for dental care services and enhancing individuals' access to dental treatment.
Additionally, attendees will have the opportunity to network with their peers and meet with exhibitors.
*Students can register at a discounted rate of $50!
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Let’s get competitive!
Hey there, y'all! Get ready to jazz it up with some Crescent City charm! We're kicking off the dental shindig of the year starting Wednesday, February 15, 2024! It's a showdown like no other as each state gears up to strut their stuff and rack up those registrations for the ADHA24 Annual Conference.
Picture this: the thrill of the chase, the buzz of the competition, all set against the backdrop of New Orleans' vibrant culture! And here's the cherry on top: the state with the sassiest, spunkiest crew, boasting the highest percentage of registered members, will score not just one or two, but a whopping FIVE passes to ADHA25 on the sunny shores of Long Beach, CA! The state competition deadline is Friday, July 12.
Lets go Illinois!!
Learn more about our Group Registration Discount: ADHA24 Group Registration
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Advocacy in Action
If you are planning to attend the ADHA24 Annual Conference, ADHA is hosting an Advocacy Workshop entitled “Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact: Join the Momentum!” on Saturday, July 27, 2024, from 9:15-10:45 am in Rooms 291-292 of the Convention Center.
If you are thinking about introducing DDH Compact legislation in 2025 or beyond, you are welcome to join Matt Shafer from CSG and Dr. JoAnn Gurenlian in a planning session immediately following the Advocacy Workshop from 11:00 am to noon in Room 397 of the Convention Center, where they can answer your questions about this process.
Questions? Email Joann Gurenlian at JoannG@adha.net.
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New Job Board up on IDHA.NET
Have a job to post? Or are looking for work? Head over to the new job board on our website.
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ADHA is currently collecting applications for the 2024 cohort of ADHA Professional Fellows. |
ADHA is opening up a special opportunity for dental hygienists to receive a personal invitation and nomination to become an FADHA.
If you're already a Fellow, ADHA is asking you to nominate ONE colleague who you believe would be an exemplary addition to the program.
Nominees will receive a letter of invitation informing them that they have been named by an ADHA Professional Fellow based on their exemplary achievements and dedication to oral hygiene.
Please submit your nomination by clicking the button below. ADHA will keep you informed on the process and we look forward to welcoming more extraordinary colleagues in 2024!
If you're not a Fellow and are interesting in applying, click here.
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