ADHA - Special Interest Groups



		2002 ADHA Special Interest Groups During ADHA's recent annual session in Beverly Hills, California, ADHA introduced special interest groups (SIGs). The purpose of this introductory session was to provide members with a sense of how ADHA came to develop the groups and to allow members the opportunity to help determine the role SIGs will play in ADHA. Click below for more information on ADHA SIGs. SIGs Development Results of Member Survey Minutes from June 2002 SIG meetings Corporate SIG Dental Hygiene Education SIG Geriatrics SIG Independent Practice SIG Pediatrics SIG Periodontics SIG Public Health SIG Research SIG Special Needs SIG Tobacco Cessation SIG SIGs Development Between 1987 and 1999, there were a number of special committees and task forces that focused on various elements pertaining to special interest groups. Special Committee to Study Credentialing--Findings indicate that credential does not equate with quality performance; credentialing of specialties could lead to fragmentation if ADHA went the route of specialization. Task Force on Accreditation--Charged with investigating ADHA implementation of an accrediting system for dental hygiene education programs. Task Force to Study Comprehensive Credentialing--Charged with developing a comprehensive credentialing plan for the advancement of dental hygiene education and practice to enhance the association's ability to meet its responsibilities to the profession in licensure, certification and accreditation Special Committee to Study Parameters of Practice--Developed "Strategies to ensure delivery of the highest level of preventive oral health care in order to improve the total health of the public." Were eventually rescinded as they were deemed premature. Special Committee to Investigate a Dental Hygiene Fellowship: Was dissolved due to insufficient support among the members Special Task Force to Investigate Dental Hygiene Specialties: Charged with "investigating all aspects of ADHA recognizing specialty areas of practice such as gerontology, periodontics, orofacial myology, veterinary dentistry, etc". The group investigated other associations and what they are doing along this line and charged staff with developing a survey. They also developed a member survey to gain input from ADHA members. Survey Results In 1999, the Special Task Force to Investigate Dental Hygiene Specialties was charged with "investigating all aspects of ADHA, and recognizing specialty areas and practice. The group developed surveys to investigate other associations' activities with respect to Special Interest Groups (SIGs). In addition, the group developed a survey to ADHA members to determine the level and extent of interest in the creation of SIGs. Association Survey Results Four of the eight associations that responded recognize specialty areas through certification with a clinical component; about a third use advanced education and training. About half (four) of the organizations noted that their SIGs are formally organized, are recognized by the professional organization alone, require membership in the professional organization prior to membership in the SIG, and are seen as a method to increase membership and member activity. Other factors noted were that these groups are seen as a method to provide professional progress, personal rewards and increase leadership authority in the area of the SIG. Member Survey Results The member survey identified the SIG as one pathway to the development of specialty areas within a profession, and requested information about their interest in specialty areas. The members identified the specialty areas of interest as periodontics, pediatrics, geriatrics, research, dental hygiene education and corporate. These were combined with pre-existing areas of special interest: tobacco cessation, independent practice, special needs, and public/rural health. These 10 then formed the initial core of SIGs. Members reported that they would like ADHA to offer continuing education in these as well as other specialty areas. They collectively expressed a positive attitude toward the role of specialties and SIGs in dental hygiene and about 40% of the more than 200 respondents were interested in a leadership role in the specialty field. The task force recommended to the board of trustees that ADHA initiates a pilot program of SIGs at the 2002 annual session. The results of those meetings will be evaluated to determine the level of interest, willingness to participate, cost-effectiveness, and long term benefits to the profession. This will be accomplished by surveying those who attended the SIG meeting. Minutes Corporate Special Interest Group June 19, 2002 Los Angeles, CA There were approximately 15 in attendance. The majority being from corporations. The group expressed appreciation for this type of networking opportunity. After much discussion, the group decided its focus would be two-fold: 1) improve and increase awareness between corporate and grassroots members 2) assist grassroots members and constituent organizations to understand how to work within a corporate environment Additionally, the group felt there were issues that the corporate group could address and perhaps communicate to the membership. These issues included the following: exploring ways to increase visibility with members at the constituent level exploring ways to increase understanding and change perceptions about corporate sponsorship publish an article on corporate relationship building Overall, the group felt the corporate special interest group should continue as a regular component of annual session. They also felt an hour was insufficient time and would like to see the SIG session expanded to two hours. The attendees also agreed that a Listserv would be a helpful networking tool. Carol Jahn, RDH, MS, agreed to serve as group leader. Proceedings of the Dental Hygiene Education ADHA Special Interest Group June 19, 2002 There were approximately 40 dental hygienists in attendance at the inaugural meeting of the Special Interest Group for those interested in Dental Hygiene Education. The group formulated a statement of purpose: " To foster exchange of ideas and knowledge among dental hygienists working in or interested in the Education field." During discussion the members listed their expectations of what the Special Interest Group would and could provide. Networking: · issues and topic areas for small group discussion · technology · mentoring · opportunity to maintain contact with peers Educational concerns: · student experiences · transfer issues · standardization · working with different populations · sharing of curriculum materials ADHA State Education Network: · email communication · potential listserv · development of models of communication across issues and states The members completed a survey regarding the session and provided contact information for a future electronic distribution list. Proceedings of the Geriatrics ADHA Special Interest Group June 19, 2002 The group defined its purpose in terms of helping to "cut through red tape in order to focus on providing care." Focus areas that emerged included oral health prevention for the different stages of aging, risk management, and education in the field of gerontology. The members felt the special interest group should feature a structured portion followed by the opportunity for networking. Topics of interest included: current work situations and methods of care information on how those in the field got to their present positions legislative and regulatory information on geriatrics funding sources coalition building: for health care workers who care for home-bound interdisciplinary networking sharing of experiences global geriatrics relationship between geriatrics and special care dentistry job descriptions There was consensus regarding the need for education:· dental hygiene educators' resources to assist in student competency desensitizing students to elder care use of appropriate language and terminology the need for registered dental hygienists to be on staff at elder care facilities the opportunity for dental hygienists to assist in training elder care facility staff about oral health Longer term goals included: dental hygiene specialization in gerontology certification in "interdisciplinary" gerontology resource identification and sharing via e-mail The group completed surveys about the session and provided contact information that will form a potential electronic distribution list. Proceedings of the Independent Practice ADHA Special Interest Group June 19, 2002 The inaugural meeting of the special interest group for those interested in independent practice was well attended by dental hygienists interested in independent practice. The first activity was the formulation of a statement of purpose: "To foster the exchange of ideas and knowledge among dental hygienists working in or interested in the independent practice field." After some discussion, the group felt that as this special interest group was one of four that had already established counterparts with a more formal agenda; therefore the time here would be best spent as a networking session. Proceedings of the Pediatrics ADHA Special Interest Group June 19, 2002 There were 15 dental hygienists in attendance at the inaugural meeting of the special interest group for those interested in pediatric care. The group developed a statement of purpose: "To promote knowledge and to foster exchange of ideas among dental hygienists working in or interested in the field of pediatrics." There were several major areas the participants felt should be part of the SIG mission and that should addressed In the future. These will assist in meeting current needs and as pro-active measures. These are as follows: Acting as an advocates for children coalition building with private groups such as the American Academy of Pediatrics or public health associations on behalf of children's health issues networking with state governmental agencies such as departments of education to increase access to care providing school-based dental hygiene services Enhancement of patient care topics for continuing education: practice and practice related issues education for both the patient and care givers create additional CE courses in pediatrics development of a speakers bureau to include pediatrics Professional Formal Education certification of dental hygienists in the area of pediatric oral health education in the area for dental hygiene students dental hygiene curriculum development in baccalaureate degree programs as a specialty area fostering research with measurable outcomes with the goal of sharing information and publishing in the JDH grant writing The group completed the SIG survey forms in order to provide feedback and provided contact information sheets for a future electronic distribution list. Proceedings of the Periodontics ADHA Special Interest Group June 19, 2002 There were approximately 50 dental hygienists in attendance at the inaugural meeting of the special interest group for those interested in periodontics. The first activity was the formulation of a statement of purpose: "To foster the exchange of ideas and knowledge among dental hygienists working in or interested in the periodontics field." Among the issues discussed and considered, the members expressed interest in: following a SIG format that would: offer the knowledge component first include a networking session with breakout groups increase the amount of time for the session "Technology Day" at ADHA Annual Session or constituent meeting with special focus on students The latest research in the area of periodontics specialty recognition coalition building partnering with the American Academy of Periodontics recognition of dental hygiene expertise in the field public relations focus on the oral health-systemic health connection focus on the research agenda grant writing Educational concerns included: curriculum needs in dental hygiene education programs balanced against time restrictions how to get new information and technology into students' hands schools partnership to include a corporate link to the ADHA SIG Practice-related topics included: evidence-based care correct research data overall resources availability and needs: corporate entities web base general practitioner needs such as an image library, photos, and case studies interdisciplinary focus on overall health impact sharing information via email corporate link to the SIG The members completed surveys on the special interest group and provided contact information that will form the basis of a future electronic distribution list. Proceedings of the Public Health ADHA Special Interest Group June 19, 2002 There were approximately 45 dental hygienists in attendance at the inaugural meeting of the special interest group for those interested in public health. The first activity was the formulation of a statement of purpose: "To foster the exchange of ideas and knowledge among dental hygienists working in or interested in the public health field." After some discussion, the group felt that as this special interest group was one; therefore, of four that had already established counterparts with more formal agendas the time here would be best spent in a networking session. Proceedings of the Research ADHA Special Interest Group June 19, 2002 The inaugural meeting of the special interest group for those interested in research was well attended by dental hygienists interested in research. The activity chosen was a the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis in order to help determine the environmental factors that might affect the area of research and researchers. Based on this preliminary data, the findings will help to guide the development of a statement of purpose at the 2003 annual session special interest group meeting in New York. Strengths: clinical expertise enthusiasm and motivation range of levels of experience opportunity need published research in the Journal of Dental Hygiene (JDH) other health professions offer models to utilize Weaknesses: fear due to inexperience isolation lack of support the need to teach critical thinking and scientific writing skills lack of research background for educators defining "evidence-based" public perception of the profession Opportunities: mentoring program development of a doctoral program in dental hygiene to develop future researchers ADHA Institute for Oral Health online applications bringing along the next generation collaboration with nondental health care organizations National Center for Dental Hygiene Research publications such as the Surgeon General's Report and Healthy People 2010 use of both quantitative and qualitative research methods Threats: competition for research dollars lack of knowledge in grant writing organized dentistry private practice model vs. institutional model for clinicians regulation of human subjects closing of university-based dental hygiene education programs time how researchers are viewed by peers complacency research infuses dollars into dental hygiene education programs The group concluded the session with members completing evaluation forms and submitting contact information which will form the basis for a future electronic distribution list. Proceedings of the Special Needs Populations ADHA Special Interest Group June 19, 2002 There were approximately 35 dental hygienists in attendance at the inaugural meeting of the special interest group for those interested in special needs populations. The statement of purpose is as follows: "To foster exchange of ideas and knowledge among dental hygienists working in or interested in the field of special needs." In addition there were specific areas that the members felt should be addressed and are integral to enhancing learning opportunities. These are as follows: recognition of this special interest group as an umbrella group that embraces the "Person First" philosophy of care clinical application and networking opportunities for students and practitioners. This would include presentations on specific patient care situations, small group sharing of information on case studies, and treatment/management techniques, and equipment addressing administrative issues such as insurance codes and fiscal concerns such as funding sources increasing interdisciplinary relationships by interfacing with other professional groups creation of an ADHA Web site or other electronic mechanism to provide opportunities for mentoring through work-related shadowing. Members completed a SIG survey and provided contact information sheets will enable those with a special interest in this area to remain in touch with each other. Proceedings of the Tobacco Cessation ADHA Special Interest Group June 19, 2002 There were approximately 25 dental hygienists in attendance at the inaugural meeting of the special interest group for those interested in tobacco cessation. The first activity was the formulation of a statement of purpose: "To foster the exchange of ideas and knowledge among dental hygienists working in or interested in the tobacco cessation field." The group discussed tobacco cessation activities from the standpoint of different needs and applications. Curriculum Development Issues: sharing resources earlier incorporation into the curriculum curriculum introduction for the transition between first and second year of dental hygiene education student counseling for patient tobacco use dental hygiene faculty and student tobacco cessation interventions faculty comfort levels National Institute of Health/National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research-Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Guidelines on Tobacco Cessation Interventions Additional topics and issues were: availability of resources from the American Cancer Society coalition funding sources government lobbying continuing education courses in tobacco cessation certification · the need to remain separate from the forum The members completed survey forms about the session and provided contact information forms for a future electronic distribution list.

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