Supporting and Serving Dental Hygienists
When you think of your profession and your role in health care, what descriptors come to mind?
When you think of your profession and your role in health care, what descriptors come to mind? I have been mulling this question over during my involvement in leadership of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA). I’ve also posed this question to numerous dental hygienists when traveling across the country representing the ADHA. In general, we think of ourselves as educated, caring, hardworking, dedicated, and yes … fun-loving! We strive to do our best when faced with challenges, and we show true grit when necessary. Dental hygienists are an amazing group of people, and you’d be hard-pressed to find another profession with individuals who possess more outstanding character traits.
Another passion that dental hygienists share is service. We like to give back to others. This giving quality is no more apparent than in our own foundation, the ADHA Institute for Oral Health (IOH). The IOH is the only philanthropic organization developed by dental hygienists, for dental hygienists. It provides research grants, community service grants, and scholarships to ADHA members to enhance professional growth and advance educational efforts.
I suspect many dental hygienists are unaware of the IOH and its initiatives, which are geared toward supporting and serving dental hygienists. Are you aware that each year at ADHA’s annual meeting the IOH hosts a community service day to give back to the local community and help improve the oral health of those who are most vulnerable? If you are involved in a great program that improves access to oral health care and education in your community, you can apply for a grant to support your efforts. These are all part of IOH’s programs designed to support, empower, and develop oral health professionals. In the past fiscal year, IOH awarded $141,734 in grants and scholarships. That’s empowerment in action.It’s easy for us to not think of ourselves when we consider “service.” After all, another quality that dental hygienists possess is selflessness. We think of ourselves serving others—not of others serving us. Through the IOH, your service can be recognized and rewarded—and it should be! If not by us,
then by whom? Learn more by visiting: adha.org/institute-for-oral-health.
Jill Rethman, RDH, BA
Editor in Chief
jrethman@belmontpublications.com
From Dimensions of Dental Hygiene. October 2016;14(10):10.
