The American Dental Hygienists’ Association plans to focus on advancing hygiene as an autonomous, prevention-driven profession.
The organization outlined several initiatives as part of its 2026-28 Strategic Plan March 11.
Five notes:
1. The organization’s strategic plan is organized into six goals: workforce, professional autonomy, clinical excellence and professional achievement, professional recognition, visibility and influence, community and membership engagement, and foundational capacity.
2. The ADHA said that within its professional autonomy goal, it intends to promote the hygiene profession as one capable of operating independently across a wider range of settings.
3. ADHA President Lancette VanGuilder said the new mission recognizes hygienists as the “driving force” of preventive care within healthcare settings.
4. The initiative comes as several states consider hygiene legislation aimed at improving accessibility. For example, Idaho House Bill 805 aims to expand the scope of practice for hygienists by allowing them to perform all services within their education, training and experience, as well as services delegated to them by a supervising dentist.
5. New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation in January that allows hygienists to practice without the supervision of a dentist.
