PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Hello Indiana Dental Hygienists!
I am honored to be entrusted with the leadership of this association.
I am thankful to have so many dedicated professionals around me:
on the board, in committees, in our schools, and all our members.
I hope we have a year filled with growth and find a sense of
community in each other.
The theme for 2022-2023 is “Building for the Future.” This is a continuation of the previous theme: “Be the Change.” Without support from our members, we would not be the association we are today and I would not be the dental hygienist I am today. To build for the future we need our dedicated members to commit to being the change for themselves, their profession, and this association.
This past year, the IDHA Board of Directors finalized the IDHA Strategic Plan for 2022-2025. With that blueprint in mind, I have identified goals for the coming year: Leadership Development and Advocacy.
When I think of “Building for the Future” I am hopeful we will continue growing as a strong and active professional association. We are all integral building blocks in this endeavor. Our unique experiences and talents ensure that we all have something to offer dental hygiene and our association. This relationship is not one-sided. We can all gain tremendous professional and life experience by networking with our peers. This association has given me a greater sense of community with my fellow hygienists. I believe it is a strong, tight-knit community that flourishes. You can help IDHA flourish by bringing your unique experiences and ideas to the table. Become a member of our committees to help us build for the future!
Having an influential association allows dental hygienists to protect our profession, expand our scope of practice, and advocate for necessary legislative changes.
In the coming year, We will promote the full utilization and scope of practice for all dental hygienists. In this effort, it will be imperative to enhance our interprofessional collaboration to advance oral health in Indiana. I hope our efforts in HI-PAC and our Legislative Committee can shine through and make a difference in our profession and the oral health of our fellow Hoosiers.
There are always opportunities to get more involved- the more you put into your profession, the more you will get out of it.
Please consider how YOU can help build the future of dental hygiene in Indiana through active involvement in IDHA. Your membership matters!
“There is immense power when a group of people with similar interests gets together to work toward the same goals.” — Idowu Koyenikan
Kimmy Rezutko
IDHA President 2022-2023
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
On October 21–23, 2022 your American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) Board of Directors gathered virtually to conduct a three-day training and work session. Joined by ADHA staff and supporting consultants in DEI expertise, the BOD covered a lot of ground and went to work on the business of the association. Here are some highlights and key takeaways.
Weaving DEI into Strategic Planning
On Friday and Saturday, October 21-22, Debbie Trueblood, MSW, IOM, CAE, FASAE of AMC led the Board of Directors through generative discussions and training on the topics of diversity, equity and inclusion reflecting on the integration of DEI into the strategic fabric of the organization and reviewing feedback from ADHA Delegation Chairs, leaders and staff.
IFDH Delegate Positions
The Board discussed the candidates for the two IFDH delegate positions. The BOD brought forth that Kelli Swanson-Jaecks, MA, RDH, be re-elected to her second term as the IFDH delegate ending in 2026. The BOD also brought forth that Tammy Filipiak, MS, RDH, be elected to complete the term as the IFDH delegated ending in 2024, that Jill Rethman, RDH, BA, vacated as she was named IFDH President-Elect.
Life Membership
ADHA received an application for Life Membership and found the candidate to meet all the requirements. The outlined requirements for Life Membership can be found in Article II, Section 3, a.4 of the ADHA Bylaws and Code of Ethics. The candidate’s application is moving on to the House of Delegates for consideration.
Interstate Licensure Compact Update
In fall 2021, the U.S. Department of Defense, in partnership with The Council of State Governments (CSG) selected ADHA and ADA to receive technical assistance with interstate licensure compact development. An update on the project was provided by Ann Lynch, Director of Advocacy, including CSG having hosted a series of webinars for the purpose of reviewing the draft model compact language and collecting input and feedback by participants. ADHA will continue to work closely with CSG on this project.
Giving to IOH
Sharlee Burch, RDH, BSDH, MPH, EdS, EdD who is the 2022-23 IOH chair, announced that over the course of the three-day meeting, IOH appreciated the 100% participation in the Board IOH challenge. All Board membership contributed to the IOH fundraising effort and subsequently President Dean went an extra step and personally matched 25% of donations.
Upcoming Events
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July 7-9: ADHA23 Annual Conference in Chicago, IL marks the centennial celebration for the ADHA. This expertise-driven 100th anniversary meeting will feature industry-leading keynotes, passionate speakers, insightful education sessions, new product experiences, and a variety of presentations exploring the most topical subjects shaping the future of dental hygiene.
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