OUR VISION
Elevating Care. Inspiring Change. Shaping Healthier Communities.
OUR MISSION
Advancing Dental Hygiene as an autonomous, prevention-driven profession that transforms healthcare.
ADHA’s 2026–2028 Strategic Plan outlines six strategic goals guiding the association’s work through 2028, reflecting the priorities of dental hygienists and the direction of the profession.
ADHA members can download the complete 2026–2028 ADHA Strategic Plan as a PDF >>
The Goal:
Workforce
Dental hygienists thrive in safe, positive, and sustainable work environments that support long-term career fulfillment and well-being.
Workplace Culture & Safety
Advance initiatives and partnerships that promote professional, equitable, safe, and respectful work environments.
Well-Being & Resilience
Support programs addressing the physical, mental, emotional, and occupational wellness of dental hygienists.
Career Pathways
Develop and promote diverse career pathways, including clinical, educational, research, entrepreneurial, public health, law, and emerging roles.
Recruitment & Pipeline Development
Strengthen recruitment initiatives, including partnership programs such as the Delta Dental Foundation Hygienist Inspired Campaign.
The Goal:
Professional Autonomy
Dental hygienists practice to the full extent of their education, training, and experience in every state and practice setting.
Protective Advocacy
Maintain strong political, policy, and communication structures that safeguard the profession.
Proactive Advocacy
Advance legislative and policy reforms that expand scope, mobility, and autonomy for dental hygienists.
Licensure Portability & Practice Alignment
Collaborate with national and state partners to align practice acts with educational preparation and promote license portability.
Advanced Education Pathways
Strengthen advanced and doctoral-level education models that support expanded roles, clinical authority, and leadership opportunities.
The Goal:
Clinical Excellence & Professional Achievement
Dental hygienists deliver high-quality, evidence-based, prevention-focused healthcare across all settings.
Education Leadership
Deliver accessible, relevant, and continuous learning that prepares dental hygienists for current and future roles.
Interprofessional Collaboration
Develop and expand collaborative programs and educational opportunities with academic, healthcare, and community partners.
Evidence-Based Practice
Promote research, clinical guidelines, and resources that support evidence-based care delivery.
The Goal:
Professional Recognition, Visibility & Influence
Dental hygienists are recognized as essential healthcare providers and leaders in preventive oral health.
Policy Leadership
Engage proactively in national and state policy discussions that shape preventive oral health and workforce innovation.
Stakeholder Awareness
Strengthen awareness among policymakers, dental teams, healthcare systems, and the public regarding the value and impact of dental hygiene.
Professional Orientation
Provide tailored education and messaging for students, dental hygiene professionals, dentists, and decision-makers that reinforce the scope, role, and contributions of dental hygienists.
The Goal:
Community & Membership Engagement
Build a diverse, connected, and engaged community that supports the personal and professional goals of their colleagues.
Engagement Pathways
Create flexible, inclusive engagement and leadership pathways that welcome dental hygienists at all stages of their careers.
Modern Member Value
Develop a customized, data-informed value proposition that reflects the diverse needs, identities, and interests of today’s dental hygienists.
Unity and Belonging
Foster a culture of inclusion, representation, and mutual support across all components of the dental hygiene community.
The Goal:
Foundational Capacity
ADHA secures the modern infrastructure, financial strength, and governance needed to support the evolving dental hygiene profession.
Financial Stewardship
Strengthen long-term financial sustainability through responsible management of member and organizational resources.
Governance Modernization
Align governance structures and decision-making processes with contemporary association best practices.
Operational Excellence
Invest in systems, technology, staffing, and processes that enhance organizational agility and responsiveness.