PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Hello Indiana Dental Hygienists!
I am honored, beyond measure, to be entrusted with the leadership
of this Association. This was always a role that I envisioned myself
taking on at some point, and this just felt like the right time. And,
with the unwavering support and mentorship from the board and
our amazing new Executive Director, Danielle Dodson, I feel very
confident and excited about continuing the positive momentum
our previous leaders have provided, not only for IDHA, but for the
profession on dental hygiene in Indiana.
The theme for this year is "Be the Change." We all know this past year has been challenging. I have always feared change and the unknown it brings, but this pandemic has inspired me to move past my fear of it and embrace it. How can each one of YOU embrace change and help your fellow colleagues, friends, family, and our industry come together to be better?
I have identified several goals for the coming year: leadership development and updating the strategic plan. I envision an Association in which all members are eager and willing to be a part of it and run for offices not only at the component level, but at the state level. I believe this starts in the schools with SADHA. Students need to see value in being a member of the association. Those schools that don't have a chapter, I urge you to see what it takes to implement it.
It is time to once again update our strategic plan. The last plan was completed for 2014-2019 and is typically updated every 5 years. A strategic plan outlines our core vision, values, goals, and objectives as an association. Any member is welcome to attend the planning meetings. The first one will be Saturday February 26, 2022. Be on the lookout for more information to come.
I hope you will take the time to consider how YOU can be the change for the future of dental hygiene in Indiana through active involvement in IDHA. Your membership matters!
Lauren McNicholas, LDH
IDHA President 2021-2022
COVID-19 Resource Center for Dental Hygienists
01/03/2022
We have updated the ADHA Interim Guidance for Dental Hygiene Practice During the COVID-19 Pandemic to reflect changes to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guidance for Dental Settings, Interim Infection Prevention and Control Guidance for Dental Sections During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic.
ADHA has updated the name of the resource to Interim Guidance for Dental Hygiene Practice During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Additionally, new information has been added to the resource to share an update from the CDC regarding Epidemiology and Control of Selected Infections.
ADHA Board of Trustees Meeting Highlights
House of Delegates Task Force
The Board received a review of findings from the January 24 House of Delegates Town Hall and a report of recommendations from The ADHA Task Force on Pathways to ADHA Board Leadership. The Task Force has developed a roadmap for guiding bylaws reform and remodeling how to cultivate the strongest leadership within the ADHA Board of Trustees. Their recommendations are being developed as Proposed Bylaw changes by ADHA Legal Counsel and will be submitted to the Committee on Policy and Bylaws by the deadline for House of Delegates business on the last Friday of March. The Chair of the Taskforce, Christina Emmert, ADHA Speaker of the House, provided the Board with activities planned for communication and continued engagement of the ADHA Delegates in the upcoming months.
Advancing Equity Begins Within
ADHA’s equity consultative partner, Just Health Collective, presented results from their qualitative and quantitative review of diversity and inclusion within ADHA’s structure, policies and practices. The team outlined seven actionable recommendations for defining and advancing an organizational vision for health equity and belonging over the next three-five years. The Board engaged in a generative discussion of these recommendations, considering strategies, priorities and challenges to the work of diversity, equity, and inclusion within the dental hygiene community. The Board renewed their commitment to fostering a sense of belonging for all dental hygienists at ADHA.
Financial & Membership Check In
Treasurer Secrist, along with ADHA Chief Financial Officer Cameron Hawkins, reviewed the second quarter financial statements. The ADHA Membership Engagement team updated the Board on the robust retention and renewal campaign currently in process for 2022. The Board discussed continued implications from the pandemic and strategies for maximizing new member acquisition as well as non-dues revenue opportunities.
The Business of Governance
Additional topics, reviews and recommendations on the agenda from Saturday’s working sessions included:
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Proposed Bylaws change to Senior status membership category
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National Appointments for CODA Commissioner, Appeal Board and Review Committee candidate recommendations and nominations
Resources at the Ready!
ADHA leaders! Don’t forget you have a rich resource of support documents, videos and guidelines available to you within the Volunteer Leadership Portal. Questions about membership, how to maximize effectiveness of your campaigns, financial management tips and so much more are there for you. Take advantage of it by logging in to your account at: https://mymembership.adha.org/
President Burch’s fourth quarter video is also available for use at your state and local meetings! Share this recap with your members for a summary of recent accomplishments and things to look forward to this spring and summer. Email Kathy Pujol to request the link for your events.
Upcoming Events
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June 22-23: Live Dental Hygiene Leadership Summit - this event is designed just for current and future leaders of ADHA! Encourage your colleagues at the local and state levels to register and come soak up essential business training.
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June 24-26: ADHA22 Conference in Louisville, KY promises to be the celebration and education event of the year. Be sure to register now
Welcome new ADHA President Dawn Dean!
Award for Clinical and Academic Excellence and served as a Student American Dental Hygienists’ Association (SADHA) President. Her professional career includes work as a clinical dental hygienist, clinical instructor at West Liberty University, Sarah Whitaker Glass School of Dental Hygiene, and an RDH expert witness and entrepreneur. Dawn has also authored several professional articles for Access Magazine.
Currently, Dawn is an Assistant Professor at the WVU School of Dentistry, Department of Dental Hygiene, in Morgantown, West Virginia, and a Twice Toothpaste Pro Team Ambassador.
Dawn has held numerous leadership positions on the local, state and national levels, including two consecutive terms as TSDHA president and president-elect, as WVDHA president and president-elect, WV IOH Liaison, and WV Delegation Chair. She served as ADHA District III Trustee from 2016-2020 and as the 2020-2021 ADHA Vice President. Dawn has served on the Executive Committee, Finance Committee, IOH Board of Directors, Board Governance Manual Committee as Chair, Nominating Committee as Board Advisor, Student Relations Committee, and Council on Public Relations as Chair. She received the 2017 West Virginia University School of Dentistry Distinguished Alumni Award and was inducted into the Sigma Phi Alpha National Dental Hygiene Honor Society in 2018.
Dawn and her husband, Michael, have three, beautiful adult daughters and now consider themselves official empty nesters. She is a Sigma Phi Alpha National Dental Hygiene Honor Society WVU School of Dentistry Alpha Xi Chapter Member, Alpha Xi Delta Sorority Member, Toastmasters International Member, and WV Oral Health Coalition Member. She is also a certified Sports Yoga instructor and an avid antique collector.
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Dawn Ann Dean, RDH, MSDH of Wheeling, West Virginia, is the 2022-2023 President of the American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA).
Dawn graduated with an Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene from West Liberty State College in 1984. She then earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from West Virginia University, Eberly College of Arts & Sciences, in 1986, and subsequently a Master of Science in Dental Hygiene Research & Administration from the West Virginia University, School of Dentistry, in 1992. Dawn was awarded the WLSC Golden Scaler Award and the Student American Dental Hygienists’ Association