The Oregon Dental Hygienists' Association, a constituent of the ADHA, is committed to providing advocacy, professional development and networking opportunities for dental hygienists and the dental hygiene profession.

President’s Message

Happy May Everyone!

It’s said that the month of May is named after Maia, the goddess of growth. During this season, we witness the rebirth of plants and flowers, the arrival of new baby animals, and the early signs of summer beginning to emerge. Nature’s renewal is a beautiful reminder of our own potential for growth and rejuvenation. May is a special month for me, this is my birthday month, along with six other members of my family. It is also the month I received my first dental hygiene license in May 2016, and I began my journey as a licensed dental hygienist. I have experienced so much personal and professional growth in the last nine years. Those who know me have heard me repeat many times, “I hope to never stop growing.”

May brings several meaningful celebrations: 

Mental Health Awareness Month – a time to raise awareness, encourage open conversations, and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health. Sometimes, all someone needs is a good listening ear, a bit of positive encouragement, and genuine support. As hygienists, these are just a few of the tools we use every day. 

National Physical Fitness and Sports Month – a reminder that our physical wellness is deeply connected to oral health. Let’s continue to encourage and support each other—and our patients—to make healthy lifestyle choices whenever possible. Even something as simple as a daily walk can be a powerful preventive tool. 

National Smile Day on May 31st – a celebration of the simple yet powerful act of smiling. A smile can uplift moods, brighten days, and build meaningful connections across cultures. As dental hygienists, we know better than anyone that a smile is more than just an expression—it’s a bridge to better health, confidence, and human connection. 

Last month, I had the pleasure of attending the Oregon Dental Conference, where I connected with many passionate and dedicated hygienists from across our beautiful state. It was energizing to hear your stories, answer your questions, and share some of the exciting developments happening behind the scenes at ODHA. Your professional association is working diligently to grow, evolve, and bring you the most relevant, state-of-the-art continuing education opportunities. 

I hope you had a chance to participate in the ODHA Dental Hygienist Continuing Education Survey. We’re now carefully reviewing your responses and feedback with the goal of providing CE that truly meets your needs and preferences—in formats that best support your work–life balance. We remain committed to supporting your professional journey with the tools, knowledge, and experiences that reflect the evolving role of dental hygienists today. 

As we continue to promote both oral and overall wellness, let’s also take time this month to care for ourselves. Mental and physical health are deeply intertwined with the important work we do—and this is the perfect time to prioritize both. 

Thank you for all that you do, and for being an essential part of the ODHA. And remember; sometimes, a smile is the greatest gift we can give—or receive. 

Kimberly Perlot, DT, MSAH, BS, EPDH

ODHA President 2024-2025 | To email Kim, click here.  

ODHA Advocacy Update

Arizona Adopts Oral Preventive Assistant

Arizona recently passed a law that creates an oral preventive assistant (OPA) also known as a scaling assistant who can perform supragingival scaling and polishing on periodontally healthy patients or patients with mild gingivitis. To become an OPA a dental assistant must complete a course approved by the state board of dentistry. The Arizona Dental Hygienists’ Association opposed this bill and although they were not able to stop the bill, they were able to remove probing from the bill, added language that strengthened the training program and ensured that dental hygienists can supervise oral preventive assistants. Similar bills have been introduced in Nevada and Washington state this year. The ADHA and the ODHA are opposed to the oral preventive assistant model.

Oregon State Legislature DDH Compact Bill

The DDH Compact is an interstate agreement that will allow dentists & dental hygienists to apply for compact privilege so that they can practice in participating states without obtaining a license in those states.DDH Compact legislation must be passed by a state in order for that state to participate in the compact. DDH Compact legislation has already passed in twelve states: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington & Wisconsin.

House Bill 2676 if passed would have added Oregon to the list of participating states in the DDH Compact. Unfortunately, there were several other compact bills this year that received opposition testimony & all compact bills including HB 2676 were “killed” in the House Committee on Behavioral Health & Health Care. The ODA & ODHA will pursue this bill again next year.

Oregon Board of Dentistry Standing Committees

The Oregon Board of Dentistry has standing committees that meet to discuss issues that are referred to them and then make recommendations back to the Board. Standing committees may or may not meet throughout the year. Representatives to these standing committees serve for one year, from May through April, and may be reappointed. The ODHA representatives to these standing committees are appointed by the ODHA President with approval of the ODHA Board of Directors. This is a volunteer position with no remuneration and no reimbursement for expenses.

The following people will represent the ODHA on standing committees of the Board this May 2025 to April 2026:  Communications – Alicia Riedman; Dental Assistant Workforce Shortage Advisory Committee – Laura Vanderwerf; Dental Hygiene – Daniel Tovar; Dental Therapy Rules Oversight – Amy Coplen; Enforcement & Discipline – Jill Mason; Licensing, Standards & Competency – Heidi Klobes; Rules Oversight – Alicia Riedman.

You can view a list of standing committee assignments by clicking on this link. 

Oregon Board of Dentistry June Meeting

The Oregon Board of Dentistry will meet on Friday, June 13, 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:  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 hope this finds you all well and enjoying the beautiful spring days.  We will be holding a high desert component meeting in May. I’m currently coordinating a speaker for a continuing education course, and hope to have it announced by the time you read this article. I would love feedback on subjects that would interest you, or if you know of professionals in the area that are interested in speaking to the component. The following meeting will be held in Bend, and I would love feedback regarding potential locations and speakers. 

Kim Pratt, MSAH, MAADH, RDH
High Desert Component Director | To email Kim, click here. 

METRO EAST COMPONENT

Representing Clackamas, Hood River, Multnomah & Wasco Counties

 As the days get longer and the flowers continue to bloom, it's wonderful to reflect on the past month and look forward to the month ahead. There's a certain joy that the sunshine brings, and I hope this newsletter captures a bit of that feeling!

Last Month's Highlights

Last month was filled with engaging activities and opportunities for learning and connection within our dental community.

  • We had a fantastic time at the Oregon Dental Conference. Connecting and collaborating with all of our dental partners and community was enriching and joyful! 

  • Our speaker Joy Moeller and her presentation on myofunctional therapy was a HIT!

  • I felt so honored to host her for dinner both nights and was able to learn more about her personally and professionally. She LOVED Portland’s food and was a true gem to spend time with. Her contributions and passion for the field of myofunctional are truly groundbreaking and have changed so many lives.

  • Visit the AOMT website for more information! You can also email me at [email protected] if you have any questions.

This Month's Events

  • The board will be meeting to review all of the data gathered from our survey that was filled out by hundreds of hygienists to help us form new, exciting and even more rewarding reasons to become an ODHA member. Stay tuned!

Thoughts of Spring

With the arrival of spring, I find myself feeling refreshed and inspired. The longer days and warmer weather remind me of the simple joys in life, and the importance of taking care of myself, of others and of my environment. The nurturer in me presents in a different way than it does in the winter. I find myself relishing in a tiny flower or a cute little bird hopping around in front of my path. Does she have babies in her nest? Just stopping to take it all in and send her my love. Much like how the spring sunshine and rain nurtures growth and renewal in nature, I try to nurture growth and positivity in my own personal and professional life. Taking time to meet up with friends. Tending my tiny potted garden. Taking the time for gratitude and creativity. 

I hope you all are taking time to enjoy the sunshine and continue to try to find joy in the fleeting moments of your sunny spring days.

Heidi Klobes, M.Ed., BSDH, RDH 
Metro East Component Director | To email Heidi, click here.  

NORTH WEST COMPONENT

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

The North West component had a great panel discussion at our last meeting on the benefits of working in different practice settings. I would like to say thank you to our panelists Ashli Lockett, RDH, EPDH, Stephen Quimby, MBA (c), RDH and Calli Pellatz, RDH, EPDH for their contributions to the panel. Ashli represented a private practice dental hygienist, Stephen represented a dental hygienist who works at a DSO through Pacific Health Services (formerly Pacific Dental Services) and Calli represented a full time temp dental hygienist through her work with onDiem. 
In Case You Missed It: Panel Takeaways from Our Last Meeting
If you couldn’t make it to our latest session, don’t worry, we’ve rounded up the key takeaways from the panel discussion on different career paths in dental hygiene.
Pros of Each Path 
Private Practice
✔ Consistent schedule
✔ Smaller, close-knit team
✔ Personalized setup and operatory
Corporate Practice (DSO)
✔ Access to HR and robust dental resources
✔ Ability to transfer offices within the organization while keeping benefits
✔ Opportunities for upward mobility
Temping
✔ Learn various dental and x-ray software
✔ Flexible schedule and time off
✔ Great for networking

Cons to Consider
Private Practice
✘ Limited flexibility with time off and schedule
✘ Often no dedicated administrative time
✘ May need to advocate for clinical updates or new therapies
Corporate Practice
✘ Potential pressure to meet production goals
✘ Longer workdays (10–12 hours)
✘ Double hygiene columns may be expected
Temping
✘ May be more difficult for new clinicians 
✘ May lack benefits depending on platform
✘ Unfamiliar instruments or ethical concerns can arise

Tips for New Grads
A private practice setting can offer the stability for you to hone your skills and build confidence. Many practices will allow for additional time for appointments and mentoring as a new clinician.

Corporate practices and DSO offices may offer “hygienist in training” pay and hours, extra time for new grads or new to an office. This can help you build your confidence with a new dental charting system or new dental environment. 


Words of Wisdom from the Panel

  • Ashli emphasized the importance of staying current: “Even seasoned hygienists should review job postings to compare wages and benefits with current market trends.”
  • Stephen highly continued membership in ADHA especially if you are interested in leadership: “Through leadership you get the opportunity to meet other amazing dental hygienists.”
  • Calli gave great advice for those interested in temping: “Work like you have pride in your job and treat temping like it’s your dental home.”
And above all, a shared message from all the panelists: “Support your dental assistants, no matter the practice setting.”

Payton Cuella, MPH, RDH, EPDH
North West Component Director | To email Payton, click here.  

SOUTH WEST COMPONENT

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

Greetings Southwest Component!

Our ODHA table and lunch at the Oregon Dental Conference was a great success! Thank you to all that stopped by to visit, it was so nice to have a chance to talk to everyone! 

In collaboration with Lane Community College, LCC is hosting a pizza party celebration for graduating dental hygiene students. Also, Lisa Rowley MSDH, RDH, CDA, FADHA will be presenting “License Portability and the DDH Compact” and “Empowering Dental Hygienists to Advocate for Your Profession." This is very timely information as many bills are pending that could affect our profession in both positive and negative ways. Lisa will discuss the ways we can become involved to steer decisions in our professional favor. This will be in-person as well as having a Zoom option so that all can join. The celebration will be 6:00-6:30 PM followed by Lisa’s class from 6:30-8:30 PM. 

Reminder to all licensees! As I get ready to renew my BLS in May, a few tips come to mind to stay in good standing with the Oregon Board of Dentistry:
  • Always keep your BLS active if you hold a current RDH License with a Nitrous Oxide Permit, even if you are not currently working. Your BLS must remain active.
  • You can take an online renewal course if you have completed an in-person class for your first renewal cycle. This ensures that you have timely access to renew and stay in compliance even if there are no in-person classes available.
I hope to see you at our May 20th celebration and CE! Have a great May!

Alicia Riedman RDH, EPDH
South West Component Director | To email Alicia, click here. 

INDUSTRY NEWS

ODHA Member Receives 2025 Philips/RDH Heart to Hands Award

The Philips/RDH Heart to Hands Award is presented to dental hygienists who transfer the love from their hearts to their hands, making it practical, to be used without discrimination. Sally Wiedeman, MBA, EPDH from Tigard, Oregon is one of three dental hygienists to receive this award this year. Sally has provided dental hygiene services to Native Americans and to those dealing with substance abuse issues. 

Sally’s public health journey as an expanded practice dental hygienist began in 2016 when the Native American Rehabilitation Association (NARA) first opened its dental clinic in Portland, Oregon. As the sole dental hygienist for over a year, she played a pivotal role in developing the clinic’s dental hygiene protocols which remain in use today. She provided screenings and fluoride varnish to Native American children at a local preschool. She collaborated with a dentist to create a dental emergency triage handout and training for the medical team, and she participated in the Baby Teeth Matter initiative to combat early childhood caries.

In 2018 Sally designed and implemented a groundbreaking dental outreach program integrating dental services into the organization’s adult and youth treatment facilities for substance use. The program also served child development centers, a monthly diabetes group, and various community events. Using portable dental equipment and the help of an amazing dental assistant and dentist, Sally and her coworkers provided comprehensive dental care to individuals in in-patient treatment facilities within federally qualified health centers (FQHC).

In 2021 Sally left NARA and continued her career in public health by managing the set-up of a new community health dental clinic in her hometown on the Oregon coast. In 2023, she returned to the NARA dental clinic, where she continues to grow the dental outreach program.

Read more about Sally and the other award recipients at The 2025 Heart to Hands Award presented by Philips and RDH magazine | Registered Dental Hygienists.  

IMPORTANT UPDATES FROM THE ADHA

ADHA and IFDH Release Joint Statement on Dental Hygiene Qualifications

The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) and the International Federation of Dental Hygienists (IFDH) have issued a joint position statement advocating that dental hygiene services be provided only by individuals who have completed accredited educational programs and hold appropriate licensure. 

The document, titled Qualified Dental Hygiene Providers, addresses recent legislative developments in the United States that permit individuals without formal education or credentials in dental hygiene to deliver care. According to ADHA and IFDH, these changes raise concerns about public safety and professional standards.

“As the largest professional association for dental hygienists in the United States, the ADHA is proud to partner with the IFDH in leading the global dental hygiene community,” said ADHA President Erin Haley-Hitz, RDH, BSDH, MS. “Together, we are committed to establishing and upholding the highest standards of education and practice, ensuring dental hygienists worldwide continue to deliver exceptional care.” The ADHA and IFDH stated that efforts to address workforce issues should focus on increasing recruitment and improving workplace conditions, rather than reducing qualifications.

ADHA Reaffirms Support for Fluoridation Amid Growing Public Debate

The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) has expressed strong opposition to recent calls for removing fluoride from community water systems in the United States. The statement comes as federal officials reconsider fluoridation policies, with the ADHA reaffirming its stance that community water fluoridation is a vital public health measure that benefits people of all ages and income levels.

“Decades of research back the safety and effectiveness of fluoridation at recommended levels,” said ADHA President Erin Haley-Hitz, RDH, BSDH, MS. “Removing fluoride from drinking water poses a significant risk to public health. The evidence supporting the safety and efficacy of fluoride is robust, and the potential consequences of increased dental decay and related health issues are alarming.”

The ADHA urges policymakers to follow science-based, proven approaches to public health and encourages its members to continue educating the public about the safety and benefits of fluoride as an integral part of comprehensive oral healthcare.

ADHA Podcast

The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) offers a wide variety of podcasts that address current issues and best practices for dental hygienists. Some recent topics include:

  • Creating a Culture for Practice Success (episode 158)

  • Elevating Dental Hygiene: The 2025 Standards (episode 157)

  • Hygienist Inspired: Chairside Recruitment to Grow our Profession (episode 156)

  • Hospital-Based Pediatric Dental Hygiene Care (episode 155)

  • Fluoride: Battling Misinformation and More (episode 154)

For more information, visit www.adha.org/pod.

ADHA IOH Legacy League

The ADHA Institute for Oral Health (IOH) Foundation has initiated a Legacy League recurring donor program. By joining the Legacy League you can make recurring monthly donations to the IOH Foundation and support its mission of advancing the dental hygiene profession through scholarships, research, and community service grants. 

Donate at least $20 per month on a monthly recurring basis and help the IOH continue its vital work.Your ongoing support will enable the IOH to sustain and expand its  programs, ensuring that it can reach even more dental hygienists and community members in need. Click here to set up your monthly recurring donation IOH Foundation Annual Fundraiser | Donate | Mightycause

UPCOMING EVENTS

Corvallis, Oregon Oral Cancer 5K Run/Walk - September 13, 2025

Click on the image below to learn more or to register to run/walk in this year's event!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click on the image below to learn more or to register for the Dental Industry Q&A and All Graduate Celebration.