Hello fellow Illinois dental hygienists!

Did you know that the Illinois Dental Practice Act under the definition for “dental responders” (225 ILCS 25/54.2) allows a dental hygienist who is deemed a dental responder to be acting within the bounds of his or her license when providing disaster immunizations, mobile and humanitarian care during a declared, local, State or national emergency? 

To that point, 2021 is already bringing very exciting initiatives for the Illinois Dental Hygienists’ Association (IDHA).  We have been busy working alongside the Illinois State Dental Society (ISDS) to form a united front in the fight against COVID-19.  IDHA has requested to be included in the mass vaccination efforts to administer the SARS-CoV2/COVID-19 vaccine, per our Dental Practice Act. This opportunity would include licensed dental hygienists’ who possess certification in local anesthesia and take the Just in time (JIT) training  This initiative expands the scope of practice for licensed dental hygienists’ who wish to serve as vaccine injectors at mass vaccination events and aids in bridging the gap between dentistry and medicine.

Our Association's leaders are always working on new and innovative ways to achieve our professional goals and bridge the oral systemic link.  Goals that include increasing access to care and always advocating that dental hygienists’ work to their highest scope.  

Your voice is important.  Please encourage all dental hygienists to join our professional organization.  A growing membership will increase the IDHA’s ability to advocate on behalf of all 9035 licensed dental hygienists’ in the state of Illinois, as we present oral health initiatives to Illinois Government where health care decisions are made. 

May we serve as one with purpose,

Sherri S Foran, RDH, BSDH, MPA, PHDH

President 2020-21 

Illinois Dental Hygienists' Association