Newswise — CHICAGO, April 17, 2025 – The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA®) and the International Federation of Dental Hygienists (IFDH) released a joint position statement today advocating for the delivery of dental hygiene care exclusively by qualified professionals who have completed accredited educational programs and obtained proper licensure.
The statement, titled “Qualified Dental Hygiene Providers,” responds to recent legislation in the U.S. that allows individuals without proper education, training and credentials to perform dental hygiene services. Both organizations stress the critical need to maintain educational and professional standards that protect patients.
“Across the globe, the dental hygiene profession is at a crossroads with numerous challenges regarding our autonomy and credentials,” said IFDH President Jill Rethman, RDH, BA. “Disguised as ways to alleviate workforce shortages, these efforts are quick fixes that won’t address the root causes of personnel shortages. These efforts could endanger the public by allowing those without the thorough training of licensed dental hygienists to treat patients. The IFDH stands with the ADHA opposing any effort to dilute the dental hygiene profession.”
The statement highlights the essential role dental hygienists have in disease prevention and therapeutic care, noting that licensed dental hygienists complete 84-120 credit hours of curriculum for entry level eligibility into the profession.
“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.”
Both ADHA and IFDH support strategies that enhance recruitment into the profession and address workplace challenges, rather than lowering professional standards.
The full position statement is available at adha.org/positions and ifdh.org.
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About the American Dental Hygienists’ Association
The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) is the only organization representing the professional interests of the more than 220,000 dental hygienists in the United States. Dental hygienists are preventive oral health professionals, licensed in dental hygiene, who provide educational, clinical and therapeutic services that support total health through the promotion of optimal oral health. The Journal of Dental Hygiene (JDH), published bi-monthly, is ADHA’s scientific journal and flagship publication. To learn more about the ADHA, dental hygiene or the link between oral health and general health, visit www.adha.org.
About the International Federation of Dental Hygienists
The International Federation of Dental Hygienists (IFDH) is an international non-profit association based in Rockville, MD. The IFDH consists of over 30 member countries, and unites national organizations of dental hygienists, dental therapists, oral therapists and oral health therapists by fostering leadership and collaboration. As the principal advocate for the dental hygiene profession globally, the IFDH promotes excellence in oral health education, research and practice. Its vision is to enhance the recognition of dental hygienists, dental therapists, oral therapists and oral health therapists as the key providers of preventive oral health care worldwide and to ensure that oral health is integrated as a key aspect of our patients’ overall health. For more information, visit ifdh.org.
ADHA Media Contact
Bronwyn Barrera, MBA
(312) 440-8911
[email protected]
IFDH Media Contact
Peter Anas
(240) 778-6790 Ext. 3
[email protected]
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