ADHA opposed to ADA statements regarding workplace shortages and dental hygiene education for non-hygienists
In a press release last week, the American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA) has issued position statements in response to new resolutions proposed by the ADA to alleviate the workforce shortage in oral health-care.1 Erin Haley-Hitz, dental hygienist and president of the ADHA, expressed concern over the effect the ADA's resolutions may have on patient safety, educational standards and professional integrity.2 In a letter addressed to ADA president Brett Kessler, Haley-Hitz said:
"Such changes fail to address oral-systemic health and the underlying issues that are driving many dental hygienists to leave the profession. The measures proposed in these resolutions—whether intended or not— threaten professional integrity and patient outcomes and fundamentally undermine the dental hygiene profession."2
Here are the position statements published by the ADHA:
Non-hygienists seeking licensure
Firstly, the ADHA reiterated their opposition towards proposed policies that allow non-hygienists—including dental students, residents, and foreign-trained dentists—to seek alternative pathways for dental hygiene licensure. Allowing unlicensed individuals to practice dental hygiene endangers patient wellbeing and damages the standards of the dental hygiene profession, they argue.1
The ADHA said: "Allowing those in roles that are complementary to dental hygiene to practice the profession without the same extensive dental hygiene education and practical training is harmful to patients and damaging to the standards of the dental hygiene profession."3
Currently, anyone looking to earn a dental hygiene license must complete a CODA-accredited dental hygiene education program, and satisfy the clinical training, examination, and practice requirements.3
Dental workforce shortage
The ADHA also recognizes the staff shortage for dental hygienists, practicing dentists, and other oral health-care workers. To combat this challenge, they are advocating for the recruitment and retention of trained, educated, licensed dental professionals.1
In partnership with the ADA Health Policy Institute and other oral health-care organizations, the ADHA published a 2022 report that identified various factors prompting dental hygienists leave the profession (excluding pandemic and retirement-related reasons).
Results cited inadequate benefits, unresponsive compensation, poor communication, lack of professional fulfillment, and negative workplace culture as major roadblocks preventing long-term retention.3
To alleviate workplace dissatisfaction, the ADHA plans to add additional entry-level dental hygiene programs and increase the capacity for current entry-level dental hygiene programs nationwide. They are also working on a new chairside recruitment program designed to expand the dental hygiene workforce.3
ADA's response to ADHA concerns
In response to the ADHA's letter, Kessler assured Haley-Hitz that the ADA is "committed to the highest standards of education and patient safety in dentistry," going on to say that: "Our goal is to find practical and responsible solutions to fill critical staffing gaps with qualified, well-trained individuals—without compromising on the standards that our patients deserve."2
References
-
ADHA issues position statements on dental hygiene education and addressing workforce shortages. American Dental Hygienists' Association. December 2024. https://www.adha.org/newsroom/positions-on-education-workforce/
-
Anderson O. New ADA policies empower states to alleviate dental workforce shortage. ADA News. November 15, 2024. https://adanews.ada.org/ada-news/2024/november/new-ada-policies-empower-states-to-alleviate-dental-workforce-shortage/
-
ADHA positions & papers. American Dental Hygienists' Association. 2024. https://www.adha.org/advocacy/adha_positions_papers/
