Dear RDH

Dear Fellow Clinical Dental Hygienist,

I know you’re busy caring for patients and working hard to make a difference in their oral and overall health. Plus, many of us are caregivers to our families, volunteer in our communities, head up a household, and more. It feels like a lot all at once. Lately, it seems like our profession is under attack—from legislative changes that impact our scope of practice to the devaluation of preventive care at the national level. It’s frustrating and, honestly, a little scary to think about where things could be heading if we don’t take action.

So, what can we do? A lot.

1. Advocate for Our Profession

We can’t afford to stay silent. Get involved with your state and national dental hygiene associations (like ADHA) and stay informed about legislative changes. Attend meetings, send emails to lawmakers, and support efforts to maintain and expand our scope of practice. We need to be at the table when decisions about our profession are being made—otherwise, they’ll be made without us. Honestly, working with professional organizations in my state has shown how things change quickly behind the scenes and being plugged in can hopefully help steer the discussion to not forget about dental hygienists.

2. Educate the Public

Many people still don’t know what we do or how important preventive dental care is. Use social media, community outreach programs, and even simple chairside conversations to educate patients on the role of dental hygienists and the importance of professional cleanings, oral cancer screenings, and disease prevention. If fluoride is being removed from water sources, we need to teach patients about alternative ways to protect their teeth. If access to care is being threatened, we need to help patients find the resources they need.

3. Support Expanded Roles for Dental Hygienists

Some states are allowing dental assistants to perform duties that have traditionally been ours, yet many states still don’t allow dental hygienists to practice to the full extent of our education and training. We need to push for laws that allow us to work independently, provide more preventive services, and reach underserved populations. If we don’t fight for our profession, someone else will step in and take over.

4. Mentor and Inspire the Next Generation

If we want to strengthen our profession, we need passionate, skilled hygienists entering the field. Mentor new grads, speak to students, and encourage leadership within our profession. The stronger we are as a community, the harder we’ll be to erase.

5. Stay Connected and Engaged

You’re not alone in this fight. Connect with other hygienists, support each other, and share ideas on how we can protect and elevate our profession. When we stand together, we have a much stronger voice.

We became dental hygienists because we care about people, their health, and making a difference. Now, it’s time to channel that same passion into protecting our profession and ensuring we continue to be a vital part of the healthcare system.

Let’s take action—because if we don’t, someone else will.

With gratitude and determination,
Melia Lewis, MEd, RDH