by Prof. Harold Jennings, RDH, MA
March 31, 2025

Dear Graduates,

Congratulations! You have reached an incredible milestone, and I am thrilled to welcome you as colleagues in the profession of dental hygiene. Your journey to this moment has been filled with dedication, perseverance, and sacrifice—not only from you but also from those who supported you along the way. The time, effort, and financial investment you have put into your education have prepared you for a rewarding career where you will make a true difference in the lives of your patients.

Across the nation, policies are being proposed and enacted that could alter the landscape of dental hygiene as we know it.

Dental hygiene is a profession full of opportunities, offering career pathways and earning potential that (I hope) will continue to grow. However, with that growth come challenges that threaten our profession’s education and autonomy. Across the nation, policies are being proposed and enacted that could alter the landscape of dental hygiene as we know it.

For example, two states (Kansas and Missouri) now allow Oral Preventive Assistants (OPAs) to perform supragingival scaling and polishing, tasks that have traditionally required the specialized education and licensure of a dental hygienist. Two more states (Arizona and Washington) have introduced legislation that could follow suit. Additionally, national policy changes, including those supported by the American Dental Association (ADA), promote alternative pathways into our profession, such as allowing bachelor-degreed, foreign-trained dentists to practice dental hygiene without a CODA-accredited education. These changes could undermine the rigorous training and expertise that set dental hygienists apart as highly skilled healthcare professionals. Read more here: www.adha.org/advocacy

Now more than ever, we must stand together to protect the profession you have worked so hard to join.

Now, more than ever, we must stand together to protect the profession you have worked so hard to join. Who benefits when we do not advocate for ourselves? Who is working to limit our professional autonomy? Who advocates for the profession of dental hygiene? If we do not take an active role in shaping the future of dental hygiene, we risk losing our ability to advocate for both our patients and our profession.

New Professional Membership in ADHAThis is why I urge you to join the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) as a New Professional member. By transferring your student membership, you are joining a collective force that fights for dental hygienists at the local, state, and national levels. As a new professional member, you’ll receive 35% off dues, reducing the financial burden for new graduates, and making it manageable for you to stay involved in the conversations that impact your career.

The question isn’t just what does the ADHA do for you, though the benefits are many. The real question is: How will you stand up for the profession you’ve invested so much in? 

Your future in dental hygiene is bright, but it is up to you to help shape it.

Step forward, advocate for yourself, and ensure that dental hygiene remains a strong and respected profession. We need your voice. We need your leadership. And we are excited to see all that you will accomplish. 

Welcome to the profession—let’s move forward together! 

With respect and encouragement,
Professor Harold Jennings, RDH 

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Harold Jennings, RDH, MA is a passionate advocate for dental hygiene and dental hygiene education. He is involved with many professional associations, including the ADHA. This past year, he served as President of NYDHA, his state association in New York. Harold is completing a doctorate in Health Professions Education and encourages everyone to further their professional growth and development, when the time is right.