January 2026
Our Time to Shine
As I transition into my role as President of the Illinois Dental Hygienists’ Association, I have gained a deeper appreciation for the work that happens every day to keep IDHA strong and shining. This organization thrives because of the dedication, leadership, and commitment of those who have served before us. I am sincerely grateful to past leaders and volunteers whose vision and perseverance have allowed IDHA not only to endure, but to continue growing and evolving. Their efforts have positioned us well for the future and have truly made this our time to shine.
This year, our focus is on growth—both in membership and in mentorship. One of our primary goals is to expand our membership while actively mentoring student dental hygienists on the value and importance of belonging to a professional association.
Membership gives us a unified voice, enabling us to advocate for our profession and speak clearly about what dental hygiene represents: a commitment to caring for the oral health of all people.
Being a member of IDHA also means investing in yourself and in the profession. It provides access to continuing education, leadership development, and opportunities to connect with peers who share the same passion and purpose. Through networking and collaboration, we strengthen not only our individual practices, but the profession as a whole.
Together, we have an opportunity to build on the strong foundation that has been laid before us. By growing our membership, supporting our students, and engaging with one another, we ensure that IDHA continues to shine brightly—today and for generations to come.
As we enter the legislative session in the coming weeks, IDHA will once again actively advocate on behalf of our profession. We will submit our bill to update the PHDH certification, an important step in advancing dental hygiene practice and access to care. At this time, we do not know what legislation the dental organizations may bring forward, which makes staying informed especially critical.
I strongly encourage all members to read IDHA emails carefully and stay up to date on legislative developments. Last year, member involvement was essential—particularly through the completion of witness slips. We will need that same level of engagement this year. The IDHA will provide additional information and guidance as the session progresses.
Advocacy is one of the most powerful ways our membership makes a difference, and your participation truly helps ensure this is our time to shine.
November 2025
2025 Annual Session
Let me introduce myself-I am your newly elected President of IDHA. Below are the words I shared during my Presidents Address at our Annual General Assembly meeting on November 8th.
I am truly honored to serve in this role, and I look forward to representing you throughout the coming year. Please don't hesitate to contact ildha.president@gmail.com if I can support you.
I would like to extend a heartful thank-you to Beth Hartrich and her dental hygiene department at Lake Land College for all their help in making our conference a success, also the Lake Land Alumni Foundation for the venue they supplied.
It is an honor to stand before you this afternoon as we celebrate our theme "Our Time to Shine". These words are not just our Theme; these words are a reminder to us whether student, new graduate, or seasoned professional-that we have the power and the responsibility to make our light visible in the world of dental hygiene.
Everyday we bring compassion, skill and knowledge to our patients, but beyond the operatory, our light shines brighter when we support one another, mentor the next generation and stand united through our professional association.
To our Students- you are the future of this profession of Dental Hygiene. You are the foundation that allows us to advocate for our profession.
To our Members- thank you for keeping our organization strong. You are the foundation that allows us to advocate for our profession, elevate standards, and protect the integrity of dental hygiene.
But we can't do it alone. Each of us has the ability to invite one more colleague to join, to explain the "why" behind membership, and to show that our strength lies in our unity, our sorority.
This year, lets focus on connection, membership, and engagement. Let's reach out to those hygiene friends who haven't yet discovered the value of belonging. Let's continue to inspire our students and empower our members to step forward -to volunteer, to lead, and to SHINE.
Because together, we are not just individual lights-we are a constellation. And when we come together, we illuminate the path forward for our profession.
So, let's make this year our brightest year yet-because truly it is "Our Time to Shine". Thank You!
To view messages from past IDHA Presidents, please view the archive below:
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