Overview
The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) was formed in 1923 to develop communication and mutual cooperation among dental hygienists. Today, ADHA is the largest national organization representing the professional interests of the more than 120,000 registered dental hygienists (RDHs) in the United States.

Mission Statement
To improve the public's total health, the mission of the American Dental Hygienists' Association is to advance the art and science of dental hygiene by ensuring access to quality oral health care, increasing awareness of the cost-effective benefits of prevention, promoting the highest standards of dental hygiene education, licensure, practice and research and representing and promoting the interests of dental hygienists.

Organization Structure
ADHA is structured on three levels:

Component
ADHA’s 375 local dental hygiene associations are known as component organizations. They form the first line of involvement for individual members. The components implement community service programs, educational sessions, and offer ideas and information about state and national policies.

Constituent
This is the state dental hygiene association. The constituent organizations serve the components in their jurisdictions by informing them of national policies and programs, and monitoring legislation.

National
This level represents the interests of all dental hygienists and provides educational and professional development programming. It is comprised of 12 geographic districts, each of which represents a group of constituents. The national organization receives input from the constituent and components through elected district trustees.

The trustees, president, president-elect, vice-president, treasurer, and immediate past president make up the board of trustees--the administrative body charged with conducting all national association business.

National Headquarters Structure
Located in Chicago, ADHA’s national headquarters is organized into the following divisions, all of which report to the executive director, who works out of the executive office.

Executive Office
Works closely with the ADHA Board of Trustees, councils and committees. Coordinates the association's annual meetings; manages fundraising and corporate relations; and maintains liaison activities with other health organizations.

Member Services
Maintains membership records and communicates with members, potential members, constituents, and components on all aspects of membership.

Education
Promotes the advancement of dental hygiene education through collaboration with the dental hygiene and dental education communities of interest; provides support to the dental hygiene practice community; maintains database of dental hygiene education programs; publishes Education Update; and interacts with other health professions, consumer groups, and health workforce agencies.

Research
Promotes the implementation of the National Dental Hygiene Research Agenda; provides resource support through conferences and research, and interacts with other health professions and consumer groups.

Governmental Affairs
Monitors legislation; works with state legislative chairs; provides information on issues related to legislation and dental hygiene practice; promotes ADHA interests before Congress; monitors federal activities; and administers funds granted for state activities.

Communications
Implements ADHA’s public relations programs; also publishes the Journal of Dental Hygiene, the official scientific journal of ADHA, and Access, a professional magazine that addresses practice, legislative, and lifestyle issues. Also responsible for managing ADHA Online.

Finance and Management Information Systems
Oversees association assets and audits; maintains accounting records; manages data processing and the product order department.

Institute for Oral Health
ADHA's foundation awards dental hygiene scholarships, research grants, fellowships, and community service grants.