End-of-Year Episode! Matt catches up with ADHA officers on crucial dental hygiene issues, recent concerning proposals that impact the profession, patient care and scope of practice, and how the organization is opposing and addressing these. They look back at 2024 successes and look forward at the work ahead in 2025 work on professional autonomy, recruitment, education, policy, leadership development and more. The key is involvement through membership, upcoming leadership opportunities, advocacy, events and ADHA25 in Long Beach, CA. 

Guests: ADHA President Erin Haley-Hitz, RDH, BSDH, MS, FADHA, MAADH; President-Elect Lancette VanGuilder, BS, RDH, PHEDH, CEAS, FADHA; Vice President Jessica August, MSDH, CDA, RDH, FADHA

Host: Matt Crespin, MPH, RDH, FADHA

Important Links: 

www.adha.org/news

www.adha2025.org

https://alec.org/model-policy/dental-access-model-act/

The ADHA's Institute for Oral Health Foundation is in the spotlight for this episode of the pod. Matt chats with IOH Foundation Chair Becky Smith, CRDH, EdD, FADHA and Emily Ludwig, RDH, BSDH, MS, PhD(c), recipient of an IOH Foundation Research Grant. Becky shares the mission and focus of the Foundation and Emily discusses how her award has allowed her to advance her research on bias in the field of dental hygiene. Consider making a donation during this season of giving to the IOH Foundation and support its mission to advance the dental hygiene profession and expand access to oral care through scholarships, research grants and community service grants.

www.adha.org/ioh

In this episode, recorded live at ADHA's recent Milwaukee CE event, host Matt Crespin welcomes an interdisciplinary panel of healthcare experts to discuss comprehensive diabetes care. Guests include Hannah Lochner, RD, LD, CDCE, Amy Stinson, MS, RDN, CD, CDCES, Gary Rothenberg, DPM and Dr. JoAnn Gurenlian, RDH, MS, PhD, AAFAAOM, FADHA. The distinguished panel shares insights on diabetic foot care, vision health, nutrition and oral-systemic connections. Gain valuable knowledge about collaborating with other care providers and understanding the multi-faceted needs of individuals in your chair who have diabetes. Make unique care connections with podiatry, nutrition, diabetes education and dental hygiene. Matt shares a preview to two upcoming episodes on the ADHA IOH and the challenges to fluoridation that patients and providers are talking about. 

Www.adha.org/events

www.adha.org/newroom

www.ilikemyteeth.org

Bonus Episode! Matt welcomes Erin Haley-Hitz for an eye-opening conversation about ADA’s recent resolutions on approaches to solving the dental hygiene workforce shortage, a clarification of what resolutions are, and what this could actually mean in terms of policy. Plus, a frank conversation about professional autonomy for dental hygienists as a preview for a free January webinar on the topic. A “can’t miss” 30-minute episode these ADHA leaders. 

Www.adha.org/join

www.adha.org/renew

www.adha.org/January15

www.adha.org/newsroom

Oral care implications of sleep disorders are multifaceted. Dental professionals are increasingly vital in identifying and supporting treatment for sleep disorders. Dr. Radfar shares with host Matt Crespin, the keys to the successful integration of sleep medicine into his dental practice. He bridges the gap with insights, treatment implications for oral health, and practical tools to help you support and advocate for those in your care who suffer from sleep disorders. This episode is generously sponsored by Aquoral.

Dr. Jonathan Norris joins Matt on this episode of the podcast to discuss his philosophy of minimally invasive dentistry.  Dr. Norris has grown multiple pediatric practices across the New England area that has increased access for Medicaid patients.  Dr Norris has a unique approach to providing care that doesn't involve using a drill (in most cases) to treat dental decay and is doing so with tremendous success and patient acceptance.  

https://montshirepediatricdentistry.com/

In celebration of National Dental Hygiene Month, your host Matt Crespin welcomes Amanda Hill, BSDH, RDH, CDIPC and Phyllis Martina, RDH, MBA, FADHA to explore this year's NDHM theme "RDH Investigates". They emphasize the importance of dental hygienists keeping their detective hats on when treating patients, to ensure they are thoroughly investigating and identifying issues to prevent, advise and recommend treatment and products to their patients. The conversation covers dental hygiene diagnosis, collaborative care approaches, and Colgate's partnership with ADHA to support hygienists and the profession. Matt shares other upcoming events in celebration of NDHM.

www.adha.org/ndhm

Think you have what it takes to swim with sharks? Hear from entrepreneur Samantha Coxe, CEO and Founder of Flaus, who shares her lightbulb moment as a dental patient that led to her invention of Flaus – an electric flosser – and the journey that helped her pitch and reel in support on ABC’s Shark Tank. Sam shares the complexities behind the product development and what kept her drive alive as she tackled the challenging startup process. Matt shares updates about upcoming celebrations for National Dental Hygiene Month and other happenings at ADHA.

www.goflaus.com

www.adha.org/NDHM2024

Peek behind the corporate curtain as ADHA member Jen Post, RDH, MDH, a clinical applications specialist with Solventum, takes you from product concept to nationwide launch. Jen shares her inspiring journey with Matt and discusses her unique role with the company. Uncover Solventum's surprising identity and why it might be more familiar than you think! Matt also catches you up on the latest happenings at ADHA and Hispanic Heritage Month coming up!

https://www.solventum.com

https://www.adha.org/NDHM2024

https://www.adha.org/events

https://www.adha.org/CESmart

https://www.adha.org/newsroom

https://www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov

Recruitment of our future workforce is critical and ADHA is excited to partner with Delta Dental Foundation to announce a new ground-breaking project. Matt is joined by ADHA President Elect Lancette VanGuilder and Delta Dental Foundation Executive Director Holli Seabury to share a sneak peek at this new partnership aimed at growing the dental hygiene workforce in numbers and representation. Learn how ADHA, Delta Dental Foundation and hygienists across the country will team up to innovate dental hygiene recruiting…chairside.  

Delta Dental Foundation & ADHA Press Release: https://www.adha.org/newsroom/adha-ddf-chairside-recruitment-program/

Chairside Recruitment Program: https://www.adha.org/chairside/

Delta Dental Foundation: https://www.deltadental.foundation/