By Stan Goff, Senior Content Editor
National Dental Hygienist Day is observed this year from April 7 to 11, which means the celebration of all the great that dental hygienists do is coming to an end. But that’s not to say we need to stop recognizing their efforts in having such a positive impact on oral health everywhere.
Dental hygienists are preventive oral health professionals, licensed in dental hygiene, who play a critical role in both patient care and in how successful most dental practices become. They provide educational, clinical and therapeutic services that support total health through the promotion of optimal oral health. Over the years, as the oral systemic link has created awareness about just how important oral health is to overall health, the role of hygienists has become even more important.
The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA®) is the largest and oldest organization representing the professional interests of the more than 220,000 dental hygienists in the United States. The ADHA offers plenty of support for its members in terms of education, resources and advocacy programs.
But this time of year—as well as the rest of the year—dentists need to keep in mind just how much these hard-working members of the team do for them and their patients. There are several ways to show your appreciation, including CE courses or industry conferences covered by the practice, or even just by shining a spotlight on your dental hygienists with social media posts, a party in the office, and heartfelt patient testimonials.
Remember, it’s not just the second week of April each year when these hygienists deserve recognition—every day they perform great care for their patients they should be recognized.
As a matter of fact, National Dental Hygiene Month is observed each October in the United States to celebrate the work of dental hygienists and raise awareness about the importance of good oral health. This month-long event, originally established by the ADHA in 2009, is a collaboration between the ADHA and Colgate. For more information, click here.
This year’s annual conference, ADHA25, will take place from October 4 to 6 in Long Beach, California.
