The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) has released a white paper advocating for self-regulation of dental hygienists, citing potential benefits for public care and access to oral health services.
Currently, only California and Washington permit dental hygienists to self-regulate.
In the remaining 48 states, hygienists operate under dentist-majority boards.
The ADHA points to the nursing profession as a successful model for self-governance.
The organization encourages dental hygienists to learn about self-regulation, advocate for legislative change, and collaborate with stakeholders to advance self-governance in the public interest.