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 Fall!
As we approach the holiday season, it’s a wonderful time to reflect on and give thanks for family, faith, health, community, and your career. Please take this season to slow down and enjoy the holidays—this is a special time for family and friends. It’s also a perfect opportunity to appreciate the simple things in life: good coffee, a beautiful sunrise, and autumn leaves.
Within oral health this month, we celebrate several important days:
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Mouth Cancer Action Month – November is dedicated to raising awareness about mouth cancer. Educating patients on signs, risks, and prevention is essential. Dental offices are encouraged to offer free screenings and distribute educational resources to promote early detection and save lives.
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National Brush Day – November 1st. Kicking off the month, this day emphasizes the importance of good oral hygiene. It’s especially critical for children to establish healthy brushing habits early. Let’s continue promoting proper techniques and encourage parents to prioritize their children’s dental health.
This season also offers an excellent opportunity to recognize how far dental hygiene has progressed and the incredible advancements we’ve made. Oregon is proud to be a forward-thinking state, with dental hygienists enjoying one of the most expansive scopes of practice in the nation. Colleagues with an Expanded Practice Permit can independently provide a full range of services, including periodontal diagnoses and treating patients without on-site dentist supervision. They can perform functions such as administering local anesthesia, nitrous oxide (under indirect supervision), prescribing preventive agents, and managing emergency situations. This flexibility allows dental hygienists to serve in diverse settings, from community clinics to mobile services. These advancements ultimately increase access to care and improve patient outcomes. It’s exciting to note that the Board of Dentistry is currently considering a rule change that may allow dental hygienists to administer Botox for maxillofacial treatment.
Together, let’s leverage these innovations to increase and inspire better oral health practices.
Warm regards,
Kimberly Perlot, DT, MSAH, BS, EPDH
ODHA President 2024-2025 | To email Kim, click here.
Secretary's Message
 Hello dental hygienists and friends! From October 4th to the 6th I had the incredible opportunity to attend my first-ever American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) Annual Conference in Long Beach, California, my hometown! The experience was truly unforgettable and filled with inspiration, learning, and connection.
One of my favorite sessions was the Educators Workshop, where Amy Coplen, Director of Pacific University, shared her inspiring dental hygiene journey and insights on dental therapy. Her presentation encouraged me to further my own education and deepen my involvement in advancing our profession.
Another highlight was the “Stay Sharp: Mastering Instrument Sharpening” course with Whitney Howerton. Whitney’s hands-on approach and introduction to the Gleason Guide™ made sharpening both accessible and enjoyable. I even purchased my own Gleason Guide and I now feel confident using it!
It was also wonderful to spend time with my PCC colleague, Sara Hill and my Expanded Practice Dental Hygienist friend, Laine Neal. Sharing the experience with familiar faces made the conference even more meaningful.
And of course, one of the most memorable moments was dancing the night away with colleagues, new friends, and board members at the California Dreamin’ All-Attendee Welcome Reception, a Barbie-inspired celebration full of sparkle and joy.
In all, attending the ADHA Annual Conference was heartwarming and empowering, especially being in the city where I grew up. I left feeling inspired, reenergized, and proud to be part of such a passionate and dedicated community of dental hygienists.
If you’ve ever considered getting more involved in ODHA or ADHA, I can’t recommend it enough. These experiences connect you with leaders, educators, and advocates who are shaping the future of our profession. Whether it’s attending a conference, joining a committee, or volunteering locally, your voice and presence matter. And together we can continue to strengthen and elevate dental hygiene in Oregon and beyond.
Beth Kreinheder, BS, EPDH
ODHA Secretary 2024-2025 | To email Beth, click here.
Call for ODHA Award Nominations
The ODHA's annual awards program recognizes ODHA members and community partners who have demonstrated exemplary service, dedication and contributions to the dental hygiene profession in Oregon.
The Lynn Ironside Access to Care Award recognizes an ODHA member who has made a significant contribution to increasing access to dental care for underserved patients. This award was established by ODHA in 2016 to honor Lynn Ironside for her many years of work to increase access to care for underserved patients & to advance the dental hygiene profession. Lynn’s advocacy work with ODHA led to Oregon becoming one of the first states to create an opportunity for dental hygienists to practice without the supervision of a dentist so that they could increase access to dental care for underserved patients.
The Lois Whitford Outstanding Dental Hygienist Award recognizes an ODHA member who has made exceptional contributions to dental hygiene on the local, state, & national levels for an extended period of time, & who is known widely for their achievements & service. It is a prestigious award, which is presented only as warranted by the accomplishments of an Oregon dental hygienist.
The Outstanding Partner Award recognizes a community partner (agency, association, coalition, corporation, legislator, volunteer, etc.) who has worked in collaboration with the ODHA to advance the dental hygiene profession. Community partners are essential to achieving ODHA’s mission to provide advocacy, professional development & networking opportunities for dental hygienists & the dental hygiene profession.
For more information or to submit a nomination for any of these awards, click here. Awards nominations are due by 5 pm PST on Sunday, November 16th. Award recipients will be announced during the 2025 ODHA Annual Membership Meeting on Thursday, December 11, from 7 pm to 8:30 pm via Zoom.
ODHA's Annual Membership Meeting
You're invited to join ODHA for its Annual Membership Meeting on Thursday, December 11, from 7 pm to 8:30 pm via Zoom. An invitation with Zoom call-in and login information will be emailed to members.
This meeting will include:
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Message from ADHA President Lancette Van Guilder
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Report from our ADHA District XI Director Laura Vanderwerf
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ODHA Accomplishments & Annual Reports
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Award & Scholarship Recipients
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Introduction of 2026 ODHA Board Members
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Preview of ODHA 2026 event
National Board Releases New Clinical Board Exam
The Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE), the same agency that develops and administers the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam (NBDHE), has launched a new clinical board examination for dental hygiene licensure.
The Dental Hygiene Licensure Objective Structured Clinical Examination(DHLOSCE) is a computer-based exam that uses three-dimensional models, clinical cases, and real-world scenarios to fairly and accurately evaluate if candidates have the level of clinical judgement and skills necessary to safely practice dental hygiene. This new clinical board examination will help states move away from requiring live patient or manikin-based clinical board examinations for dental hygiene licensure.
The Oregon Board of Dentistry currently accepts the Dental Licensure Objective Structured Clinical Examination (DLOSCE) for dental licensure and will accept the DHLOSCE for dental hygiene licensure. The DLOSCE and the DHLOSCE are both offered at Prometric Test Centers.
Washington state accepts the DLOSCE for dental licensure. The JCNDE has done a presentation on the DHLOSCE for the Washinton Dental Hygiene Committee, but they have not yet decided if they will accept this exam.
The JCNDE has approved a special offer for candidates who are currently enrolled in a dental hygiene program in Oregon. These candidates will be able to take the DHLOSCE once at no cost (a $575 savings) in 2025 and 2026. If these candidates do attempt the DHLOSCE in 2025 or 2026, they will also receive a $525 refund on their NBDHE fee.
For more information about the DHLOSCE, visit https://jcnde.ada.org/dhlosce.
MHCC Students Shine at Free Dental Clinic
On October 25th, 13 dental hygiene students from Mount Hood Community College (MHCC) participated in a free community dental clinic with Compassion Connect, offering care and compassion to those in need. The students were supervised by MHCC faculty members Tracy Brunkhorst and Amber Phillips. This event held at Gateway Church was a tremendous success, and we couldn’t be prouder of our students for their hard work, grit, and unwavering dedication. With limited ultrasonic units, they rolled up their sleeves, relied on good old fashioned hand scaling, and did it all with smiles and teamwork. Their positive spirit truly reflected the heart of our program. We are proud to report that many patients were served and everyone in line got the care they deserved!
An extra special moment came when three of our MHCC alumni returned to serve alongside the students. What a beautiful full circle reminder of the bonds and purpose that connect us all! That truly filled our instructors’ hearts with pride. A HUGE thank you to all of them who generously gave up their time, but mostly their heart! If you’ve ever thought about volunteering or are interested in a way to give back, we encourage you to get connected. These events provide opportunities as a way to make a lasting difference. Come join us!
Thank you to all who served and will continue to serve in the future! Another HUGE success of this clinic was that dental hygiene students and faculty from Portland Community College (PCC) also joined forces to make this an incredible success. We look forward to seeing them at our future community service events.
OREGON BOARD OF DENTISTRY NEWS
Rulemaking Process
The Oregon Board of Dentistry (OBD) met on Friday, October 24, 2025. One of their agenda items was voting on a series of proposed rule changes including the following two that were supported by ODHA:
OAR 818-035-0030 Additional Functions of Dental Hygienists if adopted by the Board would allow dental hygienists with a local anesthesia endorsement to use Botulinum Toxin Type A to treat conditions that are within the oral and maxillofacial region under the general supervision of a dentist. Dental hygienists will need to complete a minimum of 10 hours in hands-on clinical course offered by an approved provider or training as part of a CODA accredited program. This proposed rule change received 93 support letters and 9 opposition letters.
OAR 818-042-0040 Prohibited Acts if adopted by the Board would prohibit dental assistants from scaling teeth to remove deposits and stains and prohibit them from periodontal probing. This proposed rule amendment is intended to clarify an existing law which states that “It is unlawful for any person not otherwise authorized by law to practice dental hygiene or purport to be a dental hygienist without a valid license to practice dental hygiene issued by the Oregon Board of Dentistry.”This proposed rule change received 137 support letters and 5 opposition letters.
The Board did not vote to adopt these two rule changes, but they also did not vote against adopting these rule changes. The Board voted to refer these rule changes to a committee for further discussion.
This is not the result that we were hoping for, but it is important to note that these two rule changes are still being considered by the Board.
THANK YOU to everyone who submitted support letters to the Board, and thank you for advocating for the dental hygiene profession!
Executive Director to Step Down
At the October 24, 2025, Oregon Board of Dentistry Board Meeting, OBD Executive Director Stephen Prisby announced his plans to leave state service and resign from his role at the OBD effective November 30, 2025. The Board expressed its sincere gratitude to Director Prisby for his over 13 years of dedicated service, including more than a decade as Executive Director. His leadership and commitment have significantly shaped the positive direction, progress and success of the agency. To ensure a smooth transition, the Board has appointed OBD Office Manager Haley Robinson as Interim Executive Director, effective November 21, 2025.
December Board Meeting
The Oregon Board of Dentistry will meet on Friday, December 12, 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. Board members will vote on the proposed rule amendments at this meeting. 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. Oregon Board of Dentistry meetings will be held on the following Fridays in 2026: February 27, April 24, June 12, August 21, December 11.
Oregon Wellness Program
The Oregon Wellness Program (OWP) ensures licensees (dentists, registered dental hygienists, and dental therapists) within the state of Oregon have access to mental health support that is non-reported, urgently available, and complimentary. OWP contracts with licensed and credentialed mental health providers, who each have a minimum of five years professional experience providing services to health care professionals. For more information, click on https://oregonwellnessprogram.org.
OWP affiliated providers offer:
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Up to three complimentary sessions (a one-time benefit that can be spread across multiple years)
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Appointments are generally available within three business days
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Care without a “paper trail” or reporting to insurance or professional board
ADHA News
ADHA Leadership at National Meetings
ADHA leaders joined the Oral Health Leadership Summit sponsored by the Delta Dental Foundation and the Jon C. Burr Foundation, where dental professionals from across the field worked together to address critical issues in oral health education, licensure, workforce and care. Partnership is sitting at the table together to solve problems. different professionals, shared challenges and collaborative solutions. Task forces will continue this work starting January 2026, and ADHA will be at the table ensuring dental hygiene priorities are heard and addressed.
ADHA leaders also attended the American Dental Association (ADA) House of Delegates where testimony is given, policy is debated and decisions are shaped. ADHA was at the table representing dental hygiene and meeting with strategic partners to discuss advancing oral health and oral health access.
ADHA Presidential Citations
ADHA President Lancette VanGuilder presented presidential citations to two oral health organization leaders who provided immediate support during Nevada’s legislative battle over dental hygiene educational standards. The citations were awarded Saturday, Oct. 4, during the opening general session of the 2025 ADHA Annual Conference to Dr. Jaisri R. Thoppay, president of the American Academy of Oral Medicine (AAOM), and Dr. Chethan Chetty, president of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD).
Both leaders sent letters opposing sections 77-79 of Nevada Senate Bill 495, which would have allowed individuals to become licensed dental hygienists through on-the-job training, bypassing Commission on Dental Accreditation-accredited education and compromising patient safety. The AGD’s letter and the AAOM’s letter emphasized the importance of maintaining rigorous educational standards for patient safety.
ADHA Professional Fellows
The ADHA has announced its 2025 class of ADHA Professional Fellows, recognizing 94 dental hygienist members with the Fellow of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (FADHA) designation.With the addition of this third cohort, the total number of ADHA Professional Fellows now stands at 349, representing 47 states
The new cohort was honored during a reception on Saturday, October 4, during the 2025 ADHA Annual Conference in Long Beach, California. The FADHA designation recognizes dental hygienists who demonstrate exceptional achievement, commitment to education, and dedication to advancing the profession. New ADHA Professional Fellows from Oregon include Rachel Boone, Amy Coplen, Lesley Harbison, Melody McGee, Alison Santoro, Mónica Sarmiento, and Kristen Simmons.
The application cycle for 2025-2026 is now open and will remain so through August 1, 2026. The designation is granted on a rolling basis throughout the year as applications are approved. Participation in the annual conference is encouraged but not required for recognition.
ADHA Hygienist Hub
Hygienist Hub is ADHA’s new resource for short articles on clinical updates, career strategies, highlights and can’t-miss stories. To access any of the following topics, click on www.adha.org/hygienist-hub/.
- A Fresher Look at String Floss: Rethinking Interdental Biofilm Management
- Increasing Dental Hygiene Scope of Practice
- How Public Health and Advocacy Inspired Me
ADHA Hygiene Rising
The ADHA has announced the rebrand of its podcast program to “Hygiene Rising™,” reflecting the dental hygiene profession’s evolution as prevention specialists and essential healthcare providers. The name “Hygiene Rising” captures dental hygienists stepping into expanded roles while advocating for professional autonomy. The show’s tagline, “Real Talk on Oral Health,” reflects its commitment to authentic conversations across the full spectrum of topics that matter to dental hygienists – from clinical innovations and career stories to legislative challenges and personal journeys – addressing topics impacting practitioners, educators, students, researchers and industry professionals throughout the dental hygiene community.
The ADHA’s Hygiene Rising offers a wide variety of podcasts that address current issues and best practices for dental hygienists. Some recent topics include:
For more information, click on click on Hygiene Rising - Podcast - Apple Podcasts.
ADHA Foundation Research Grant
ADHA Foundation research grants support research projects conducted by dental hygienists and students pursuing a dental hygiene degree that will develop or expand the dental hygiene body of knowledge.
Research Grant Proposals should:
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Develop or expand upon the dental hygiene body of knowledge
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Promote the public’s oral health by improving dental hygiene education and practice
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Support the delivery of quality oral healthcare
To be eligible for an ADHA Foundation research grant, the principal investigator (PI) must be a licensed dental hygienist or a student pursuing a dental hygiene degree and must be a professional or student member of ADHA.Current members of the ADHA Foundation Board of Directors, ADHA Board of Trustees and Research Grant Review Committee may not apply as principal investigators, but may do so in another capacity (i.e. secondary investigator, mentor, etc.).Priority will be given to proposals addressing the ADHA National Research Agenda. The application portal for ADHA Foundation research grants opens on January 1, 2026. All research grant applications are due March 31, 2026.
These research grants would not exist without the generous support of individuals like you. Each donation of any amount makes a difference. The ADHA 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.
For more information about ADHA Foundation research grants, visit https://www.adha.org/foundation/research-grants/.
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