Hello, and happy spring to you all!

While winter had its own beauty, I’m definitely ready to welcome the warmer weather. With the changing season comes one of the biggest events in Oregon dentistry—the 2025 Oregon Dental Conference, happening the first weekend of April!

Although I won’t be able to attend the entire conference, I will be at the ODHA exhibit table on Thursday, April 3rd. If you’re attending that day, I’d love for you to stop by and say hello! If you can’t make it then, no worries—the ODHA table will be there all weekend.

Why does it matter that ODHA has a presence at the conference? Because it gives us the chance to connect with dentists, students, and other dental professionals. It is a great opportunity to advocate for the vital role hygienists play in patient care. It’s also a space to foster collaboration, share legislative updates and efforts, discuss workforce challenges, and highlight continuing education opportunities. Plus, it’s a great way to engage with new and current ODHA members!

We also want to hear from you! This year, we’ll have a short survey at our table for ODC attendees to share their thoughts on how ODHA can better support and represent hygienists. Your feedback is invaluable in helping us make ODHA more accessible and impactful for our members.

Whether you’re looking to network, learn more about ODHA’s initiatives, or just chat, I hope you’ll take a moment to visit the table. See you there!

ODHA Advocacy Update

Oregon 2025 Legislative Session

The 2025 Oregon Legislative Assembly will be in session for the purpose of lawmaking January 21 through June 30, 2025.

The ODHA is supporting the following bills during this legislative session:

• HB 2676 – If passed, this bill will enact the Dentist and Dental Hygienist (DDH) Compact in Oregon. This bill will allow dentists & dental hygienists to apply for compact privilege in participating states instead of applying for a license in those states.

• HB2597 – If passed, this bill will require the OHA and CCOs to reimburse dental providers at a minimum of 59.8% the average rate paid by insurers in Oregon.

• SB 532 – If passed, this bill will require dental insurers to follow specified rules for payment and denial of claims. One provision will require dental insurers to pay a claim, request additional information for a claim or deny a claim no later than 30 days after the dental insurer receives the claim.

• SB 597 – If passed, this bill will direct the Oregon Health Authority to establish a grant program to provide financial support to certified dental sealant programs that promote and engage in oral health care coordination activities.

• SB 609 – If passed, this bill will establish minimum amounts of reimbursement for primary care, optometry, dental care and behavioral health services provided to recipients of medical assistance.

The ODHA will monitor & comment on bills related to dentistry throughout the 2025 Oregon Legislative Session. Please contact ODHA Advocacy Director Lisa J. Rowley at [email protected] for questions, more information, or comments about ODHA advocacy issues, and if you would like to become involved in ODHA Advocacy activities!

Oregon Board of Dentistry April Meeting

The Oregon Board of Dentistry will meet on Friday, April 25, 2025 at the Board office located at 1500 SW 1st Avenue, Suite 770, Portland, OR  97201 The agenda for this meeting will include a Zoom link for participants who would like to attend virtually. Anyone may participate in the Open Sessions of the Board meeting.  

The agenda and public packet for this Board meeting will be posted approximately one week before the meeting on the Board website at www.oregon.gov/dentistry. Scroll down to About Us and click on Meetings. The public packet is usually more than 200 pages in length. We recommend that you review this document online, and only print pages if you need them. 

If you would like to participate in the Open Sessions of this or any future Board meeting, contact ODHA Advocacy Director Lisa J. Rowley at [email protected] for more information. Upcoming Oregon Board of Dentistry meetings will be held on the following Fridays: June 13, August 22, October 24 and December 12.

Component News  

HIGH DESERT COMPONENT

Baker, Crook, Deschutes, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Jefferson, Klamath, Lake, Malheur, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa & Wheeler Counties

I’m writing this on the first day of spring, and I’m so excited that sunnier days are on the horizon. I want to share some goals that I have for the High Desert component, and I’m hoping this will excite our members. My goals for this year are to:

• Include OIT-Klamath Falls students in a minimum of one High Desert component meeting

• Have a minimum of two in-person meetings this year, one in Klamath Falls and one in Bend

• Deliver high quality CE at those meetings

• Elect secretary and chair positions

I know everyone has busy lives, but if leadership at the component level is something you’re interested in please contact me. Lisa Rowley is also looking for High Desert members to be part of a membership committee if you know anyone who is available.  Springtime is a fresh, new season to embark on new journeys. I have met some wonderful hygienists since becoming involved in ODHA’s leadership, and I encourage you to consider leadership as well. Please reach out if you have any suggestions for component activities, community involvement, etc. I would love to collaborate with you.

METRO EAST COMPONENT

Representing Clackamas, Hood River, Multnomah & Wasco Counties

Helllloooooo Spring!!

Hoping everyone is enjoying the little glimpses of life, making themselves remembered through the wet (and nourishing) dreariness of winter coming to an end!! The daffodils make me smile on my walk every day. Their little heads are sometimes prayerfully pointing down, and sometimes so proudly smiling up toward the towering trees above. The blossoms on the trees remind me that the fruits of spring and summer are all but guaranteed to bless us with their gifts, and as always, hope reigns (for the hopeful)! Let’s be reminded to keep our own heads up, and stay hopeful. 

This month at Metro East, our CE did not pan out, but it is a welcome little break from organizing for myself. Though, when things do come together for our monthly CE, I enjoy immensely the enrichment of what others sharing their knowledge does for myself and others! 

This April, I am looking forward to hosting Joy Moeller (such a resource regarding myofunctional therapy) at the Oregon Dental Conference and hope to see you all there! If you haven’t already learned from Joy or heard her speak, you won’t regret it. Every time I see her speak, I leave with all sorts of little pearls of new knowledge!  ODHA will have an courtesy table, so please stop by and say hello! We will be offering a prize to those who come by and fill out a quick survey!

Our next CE will be this May, when we will have the dapper Dr. Judah Garfinkle presenting to Metro East at Mount Hood Community College regarding his Invisalign cases, titled, Clear Aligners in Action: From One Tooth out of Place, to Fixing a Cleft Space. We are working hard to see if we can get pizza provided (look for updates)! In-person and virtual registration opportunities are now available at odha.org.

Until next month, enjoy the sunshine and be well!

NORTH WEST COMPONENT

Representing Clatsop, Columbia, Marion, Polk, Tillamook, Washington & Yamhill Counties

I hope everyone had a good spring break if you were lucky enough to have one. The sun is also finally starting to come out and more sunny days are just around the corner.

The North West Component team would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended our continuing education course on Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT). The students from Pacific University did a fabulous job presenting and gained valuable experience during this event. We celebrate their hard work and dedication. 

Important Announcements:

• Upcoming Continuing Education Panel Discussion: Join us for an informative session on temping vs. traditional dental hygiene roles. This is a wonderful opportunity to ask questions and engage with fellow dental hygienists. Click here to register for the in-person or virtual offerings today. 

• Oregon Dental Conference: We look forward to seeing you all at the ODHA booth at the conference. And at the ODHA Luncheon Meet & Greet 11:00 AM -12:30 PM on Saturday. 

Stay tuned for more information regarding our May CE panel discussion focused on non-traditional dental hygiene settings.

As we continue to foster a supportive and enriching environment for our members, we encourage you to stay connected and involved in our upcoming events. Your engagement is crucial in creating a thriving educational experience for all.

SOUTH WEST COMPONENT

Representing Benton, Coos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, Lane, Lincoln & Linn Counties

Happy April! I hope everyone is safe and enjoying this unpredictable weather. The Oregon Dental Conference is here, April 3-5. Please visit with us to learn all that we have been planning for the upcoming year and how ODHA can enhance your career, We will have an ODHA table at the conference as well as an ODHA luncheon on Saturday! 

South West Component will hold a continuing education course on Tuesday, May 20th  titled “License Portability and the DDH Compact” presented by Lisa J. Rowley our ODHA Advocacy & Membership Director. We will also be celebrating the Lane Community College graduating dental hygiene class!  All are welcome. This event will be held both in person and with a Zoom option so all can join. The celebration will be 6:00- 6:30 PM followed by Lisa’s class from 6:30-8:30 PM. 

I hope to see you at the ODC as well as at our program on Tuesday, May 20th!

Oregon Dental Hygiene Programs

Oregon Institute of Technology – Salem Campus

Things are busy and moving forward on OIT’s Salem campus.  Spring Term is always an exciting time.  We currently have a total of 58 dental hygiene students on our campus. Our sophomore students are starting to see patients in clinic as well as doing community outreach in local elementary schools.  Our junior students have been busy with local anesthesia boards and community health projects.  Many of these students and faculty will be attending the Oregon Dental Conference in April.  

Nineteen seniors recently received their Bachelor of Science degrees in dental hygiene.  Their pinning ceremony was on March 15, with clinical hygiene and restorative board exams the following week.  As educators, we love seeing our students succeed, make a difference, and support our professional association! We are now busy with our application process for the incoming Class of 28.

Pacific University

Dental hygiene students at Pacific University complete capstone projects during their senior year. These projects provide students with an opportunity to pursue concentrated study of a dental-related topic through a research project or development and implementation a community-based program.

During the Oregon Board of Dentistry meeting on February 28th, three senior year dental hygiene students presented a proposal that would allow dental therapists, dental hygienists and dental assistants to administer vaccinations. Their proposal garnered support from the Oregon Dental Association (ODA), the Oregon Dental Hygienists’ Association (ODHA), and the Oregon Dental Assistants Association (ODAA). The Board of Dentistry expressed its support for the concept, and the next step is to submit a bill for consideration in the next legislative session. This project showed the students how they can advocate for change with the Oregon Board of Dentistry.

IMPORTANT UPDATES FROM THE ADHA

2025 ADHA Awards Program Nominations Deadline this Friday, April 4

The 2025 ADHA® Awards Program honors and recognizes ADHA members and contributors to the profession for their accomplishments in the areas of clinical, education, public health, research and more. 

ADHA Awards include:

• Ann Battrell Visionary Legacy Award

• Award for Excellence in Dental Hygiene

• Irene Newman Outstanding Clinician Award

• Hygienist Proud Student Award

• Standout Seven Awards

The nomination deadline is Friday, April 4, 2025. Nominate yourself or a colleague for any of these distinguished awards and feel free to submit more than one nomination. Award winners will be honored at the 2025 ADHA Annual Conference in October. Questions? We're here to help! Send an email to the ADHA Meetings Team with your awards program inquiries.

Oregon Delegates to 2025 ADHA House of Delegates

ODHA has three delegates to the 2025 ADHA House of Delegates based on our membership. Our 2025 delegates are Sandra Busch, Laura Vanderwerf, and Lisa Rowley, and alternate delegates are Sara Hill, Mindy Davis and Tia Morehouse.

ODHA’s delegates & alternate delegates recently participated in their first District XI Delegates Meeting to review their responsibilities and the logistics of the ADHA HOD. ADHA’s District XI includes Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon & Washington. Our ADHA District XI Director is Pam Larrabee from Arizona. For more information, click here.

Building Your Power for Professional Success

The ADHA® and ACCLEAN® by Henry Schein will offer an exclusive webinar series April through June designed for ambitious dental hygienists ready to develop essential business and leadership skills to enhance their current practice or fuel their entrepreneurial journey. Participants who complete this four-part series will earn a Certificate for Marketing & Finance for Career Growth in Dental Hygiene. Click here for more information.

Hygienist Inspired Recruitment Program

The ADHA in partnership with the Delta Dental Foundation have launched “Hygienist Inspired,” a chairside recruitment program designed to increase diversity and address workforce shortages in the dental hygiene profession. The program is launching in nine pilot states: Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin, with plans for nationwide expansion over the next two years. The Foundations of Delta Dental in each pilot state are funding program ambassadors to lead recruiting in their states, following an ambassador training event.

The newly trained Hygienist Inspired Ambassadors will lead outreach efforts in their respective states, conducting both chairside recruitment in their operatories and participating in community events to raise awareness about careers in dental hygiene. Click here for more information. 

Standards for Dental Hygiene Clinical Practice

ADHA has released a new version of their Standards for Dental Hygiene Clinical Practice. This is the first comprehensive update of this document since 2016 and incorporates key healthcare advancements including social determinants of health and enhanced risk assessment. These standards provide essential guidance for professional excellence and reinforce the critical role of dental hygienists in oral healthcare. This revision was sponsored by Crest + Oral-B. Click here to download your copy of the Standards for Clinical Dental Hygiene Practice.

IOH Travel Grant Program

The ADHA Institute for Oral Health (IOH) Foundation is offering a new travel grant program for students and New Professional members to provide financial support for their travel to the 2025 ADHA Annual Conference in Long Beach, California.Travel grant applications are due April 11, 2025.

Applicants must be a current student or New Professional member. Student applicants must be enrolled in a CODA accredited dental hygiene education program. Applicants must submit an essay in addition to providing requested credentials. Travel grant recipients will receive financial assistance to cover their conference registration fee plus a choice of up to $500 toward their roundtrip economy flight or 3 nights stay at the Courtyard Marriott in Long Beach, CA. Recipients must agree to volunteer at least one hour of time during the conference.

These travel grants would not exist without the generous support of individuals like you. Each donation of any amount makes a difference. The IOH Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization and all donations are tax deductible. Donations of $50+ appear on the Donor Honor Roll at the ADHA Annual Conference and the IOH Foundation Annual Report. Click here for more information. 

INDUSTRY NEWS

Join the CAMBRA Coalition!

The Caries Management by Risk Assessment (CAMBRA) Coalition warmly invites new attendees, especially dental professionals passionate about evidence-based practice, disease prevention, and person-centered care, to connect with like-minded individuals, share ideas, and advance their knowledge in caries prevention and management. Join us on the second Monday of each month at 4:30 p.m. Together, through collaboration, we aim to create a lasting shift in oral health care practices.

About CAMBRA

Vision Statement:
To deliver oral health knowledge to the greater health care and educational communities, focusing on caries prevention, evidence-based practice, and person-centered care.

Mission Statement:
To educate, advocate for, and foster interprofessional health care collaboration leading to scientifically-based prevention and management strategies of dental caries in all populations.

Whether you're a dental hygienist, dentist, or other health care professional, we would love to have you join us in driving meaningful change in oral health care. Let’s work together to make a difference!

If you are interested, please email [email protected].   

We hope to see you at our next CAMBRA meeting!

Karan Bershaw, MS, RDH, EPDH, FADHA
ODHA Treasurer 2024-2025, ODHA Immediate-Past President 2024-2025