ADHA’s advocacy efforts focus on advancing policies that strengthen the dental hygiene profession, expand access to oral health care, and promote prevention-focused care delivery.
At the federal level, ADHA works with Congress, federal agencies, and coalition partners to advance workforce development, support community water fluoridation, improve reimbursement pathways for dental hygienists, and modernize oral-health policy.
At the state level, ADHA partners with state dental hygiene associations to support legislative strategy, provide advocacy resources, and promote policies that allow dental hygienists to practice at the top of their education and licensure. Through grassroots engagement, coalition building, policy development, and member education, ADHA empowers dental hygienists to be effective advocates for their profession and the patients they serve.
| VoterVoice Campaigns ADHA’s Advocacy team enables state leaders to create digital advocacy campaigns that deliver dental hygienists’ positions directly to their legislators. Both state and nationwide VoterVoice campaigns help dental hygienists and their supporters make their voices heard in policymakers’ offices. Visit the Advocacy Action Center for more information! |
BillTrack50 State Leaders have access to ADHA’s bill‑tracking software, BillTrack50, to monitor and track the progress of bills of interest. State Leaders are given an invitation code by the ADHA parent account. Additional login information for BillTrack50 can be found within the Volunteer Resource Center. |
| Advocacy in Action Newsletter This newsletter provides bi‑monthly updates on the policy actions shaping dental hygiene—from federal legislation to state‑level wins and emerging threats to professional standards. To sign up to receive the newsletter directly to your inbox, reach out to [email protected]. |
Volunteer Resource Center Materials State Leaders have access to additional materials and resources within the Volunteer Resource Center. ADHA Members head to Sign In > ADHA Advocacy > My Account > Volunteer Resource Center. Check out the Volunteer Resource Center for access to all of the following and more:
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| Regional Advocacy Meetings These regularly held meetings, which take place bi-quarterly, are held to discuss updates and federal affairs. They offer an excellent opportunity for staff to connect with state leaders. |
Outreach with Advocacy Staff Reach out directly to ADHA Advocacy at [email protected] or any advocacy questions or issues. |
ADHA supports advocacy in many ways, from developing policy positions to equipping members with the tools they need to engage with decision-makers. Visit our Position Statements page to learn more about ADHA’s policy priorities and guiding principles. Below are examples of ADHA’s advocacy in action and key accomplishments that demonstrate our ongoing commitment to the profession and the patients dental hygienists serve.
2025 Advocacy in Action
- Presented at the FDA Fluoride Meeting.
- Engaged with multiple state legislatures, including Missouri, Utah, Oklahoma, Nevada, Illinois, Nebraska, and the US Congress.
- Supported Delaware in becoming the final state to authorize local anesthesia administration.
- Advocate on Capitol Hill alongside the Oral Health Caucus.
- Supported the DDH Compact nationwide.
- Formed the Advocacy Advisory Committee with retired, student, independent, educator, and traditional working hygienists.
- Regulatory comments submitted to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Food and Drug Administration.
- Launched primer advocacy toolkits including BillTrack50 and VoterVoice.
- Launched the Advocacy Contribution page.
- Supported our partners advocating for Community Water Fluoridation, the DDH Compact, and the importance of qualified providers.
- Release of Model Autonomy Legislation, the Advocacy Toolkit, the OPA Toolkit, the AADB Compact Package, and several webinars and educational notes on policy and advocacy.
- Missouri Dental Hygienists’ Association Comprehensive Evaluation on the Missouri based OPA-EFDA PIlot Project.
- Released White Papers.
*For most current/up to date Advocacy in Action visit the At Work For You page.