Advocacy Activities

One of ODHA’s strategic goals is to advance the dental hygiene profession in Oregon through effective advocacy. ODHA advocacy activities include:

Promotion

  • Seek out opportunities to promote oral health, access to health care, the dental hygiene profession, and ODHA.
  • Educate dental hygiene students and professionals about advocacy skills and strategies.

Communication

  • Educate dental hygiene students and professionals about state regulation of dentistry and regulatory issues related to dental hygiene.
  • Maintain ongoing communication with ADHA Government Relations.

Legislative

  • Develop legislative agenda for approval by ODHA Board of Directors.
  • Recommend position on legislative proposals & bills for approval by ODHA Board of Directors.
  • Collaborate with key stakeholders regarding legislative proposals & bills.
  • Monitor progress of bills related to dental hygiene and oral health that are being considered by Oregon Legislature.
  • Identify ODHA members to be key contacts for Oregon legislators.
  • Recommend that ODHA Board of Directors retain lobbying services as needed.
  • File quarterly reports with Oregon Government Ethics Committee if ODHA employs a lobbyist

Board of Dentistry

  • Attend meetings of the Oregon Board of Dentistry and report pertinent information to ODHA Board of Directors.
  • Meet with members of the Oregon Board of Dentistry as needed.
  • Recommend ODHA representatives for the standing committees of the Oregon Board of Dentistry to be appointed by the ODHA President.
  • Submit agenda items for the Dental Hygiene Committee of the Oregon Board of Dentistry.
  • Recommend new members for the Oregon Board of Dentistry with approval of the ODHA Board of Directors.

Alliances

  • Establish and maintain positive relationships with key stakeholders including other healthcare providers, professional associations, government agencies coalitions, and advocacy groups.
  • Encourage ODHA members to participate in other organizations that support ODHA mission and goals.
  • Recommend ODHA members to serve on agencies, boards, coalitions and other strategic groups that support ODHA mission and goals.