Membership
2018 Awards Program
2017 ADHA Hu-Friedy Esther Wilkins Future Leader Award Winner, Sue Kassoff-Correia, CRDH, BS
"The accolades from my friends, family, and colleagues has inspired me to try harder, give more, and be of service whenever and wherever I am needed. Shortly after receiving this prestigious award, I was given the opportunity to become a professional educator for a major organization in our industry; a position I thoroughly enjoy. The ADHA Hu-Friedy Esther Wilkins Future Leader Award gave me a new confidence and desire to have a positive impact on our profession."
Looking for an opportunity that will provide financial assistance to attend the ADHA’s 95th Annual Conference in Columbus and highlights your dedication to the dental hygiene profession? Apply today for your chance to be recognized by your colleagues and receive funding to attend the ADHA’s 95th Annual Conference in Columbus.
The deadline for most ADHA awards is February 2, 2018. If the award deadline is not February 2, 2018 it will be noted in the award description.
Please click on the “Apply Now” links to apply and for further details about the individual awards criteria.
Not sure of what your role is as a dental hygienist? Check out the six roles of a professional hygienist here.
Questions? Email chrish@adha.net
Nomination-Based Awards
Award for Excellence in Dental Hygiene
ADHA in conjunction with Johnson & Johnson, Consumer Inc. is pleased to announce the Award for Excellence in Dental Hygiene. This award honors hygienists who have evidence of active involvement in ADHA and its constituents, while exhibiting evidence of leadership in the advancement of dental hygiene. The award recognizes outstanding accomplishments that have an impact on the practice and future of the dental hygiene profession in any and/or all roles of the dental hygienist.
Nominations are now closed
Sponsored by:

- Criteria
- * Hold at least 10 years membership in ADHA prior to application
- * Demonstrate evidence of active involvement in ADHA and its constituents
- * Exhibit evidence of leadership in and the advancement of dental hygiene experience
- * Provide evidence of the incorporation of any and/or all of the dental hygiene roles. The evidence should document outstanding accomplishments that have a significant impact on the practice and future of the dental hygiene profession
- * Nomination from Peer
- Award
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Up to two recipients will be selected. Recipient will receive the following:
- * $2,500 cash award
- * An engraved award
- * Recognition in Access Magazine, ADHA's official publication
- * Recognition during ADHA's 95th Annual Conference in Columbus, OH which includes:
- Complimentary meeting registration for Annual Conference
- Round trip domestic airfare to Columbus, OH
- 2 Days Per Diem to be used in Columbus, OH
- 2 Nights Hotel Accommodations in Columbus, OH
- Award recognition during the President's Dinner on Friday, June 22, 2018
- 1 table of 10 for you and 9 guest – value of $1000 dollars
ADHA/Hu-Friedy Esther Wilkins Future Leader
The ADHA/Hu-Friedy Esther Wilkins Future Leader award honors dental hygienists who exhibit a strong commitment to the dental hygiene profession and have demonstrated leadership in the American Dental Hygienists' Association within five years of graduation from an accredited dental hygiene program.
Nominations are now closed
Sponsored by:
- Criteria
- * Be a current Active member of ADHA and have continuous Active membership since graduation
- * Have graduated from an accredited dental hygiene program within the last five years*
- * Have been a Student member while enrolled in a dental hygiene program
- * Be a current Active member of ADHA and have continuous Active membership since graduation
*For 2018, applications will be accepted from graduates in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017.
- Award
-
One recipient will be selected. Recipient will receive the following:
- * $1,000 cash award
- * An engraved award
- * One year of free membership to the ADHA
- * Recognition in Access Magazine, ADHA's official publication
- * Recognition during ADHA's 95th Annual Conference in Columbus, OH which includes:
- Complimentary meeting registration for Annual Conference
- Round trip domestic airfare to Columbus, OH
- 2 Days Per Diem to be used in Columbus, OH
- 2 Nights Hotel Accommodations in Columbus, OH
- Award recognition during Saturday's General Session, June 23, 2018
Application-Based Awards
Crest Oral-B/ADHA Clinical Dental Hygienist Award
The Crest Oral-B/ADHA Clinical Dental Hygienist Award recognizes and honors clinical dental hygienists who make a difference in the lives of their patients/clients.
Applications are now closed
Sponsored by:
- Criteria
- * Applicant must be an U.S. citizen who is licensed dental hygienist operating in a clinical dental setting.
- * Applicant must be a current member of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association.
- * Current members of ADHA’s Board of Trustees, councils, employees, and family members of these individuals are not eligible for this award.
- * Employees of Procter & Gamble and their family members are not eligible to apply for this award.
- Award
-
One recipient will be selected. Recipient will receive the following:
- * $2,000 cash award
- * An engraved award
- * Recognition in Access Magazine, ADHA's official publication
- * Recognition during ADHA's 95th Annual Conference in Columbus, OH which includes:
- Complimentary meeting registration for Annual Conference
- Round trip domestic airfare to Columbus, OH
- 2 Days Per Diem to be used in Columbus, OH
- $100 for ground transportation in Columbus, OH
- 2 Nights Hotel Accommodations in Columbus, OH
- Award recognition during Saturday's General Session, June 23, 2018
Hu-Friedy/ADHA Master Clinician Award
The Hu-Friedy/ADHA Master Clinician Award honors a clinical hygienist who shows outstanding expertise in relating the interdependence of clinical practice and patient education for the improvement of patient compliance.
Applications are now closed
Sponsored by:
- Criteria
- * Applicant must have a minimum of ten (10) years of clinical experience as a clinical dental hygienist
- * Applicant must be a registered dental hygienist and a member of ADHA
- * Applicant must be employed as a dental hygienist in a clinical setting
- * The applicant must demonstrate quality of care within his/her practice at the patient side
- * Outstanding clinical knowledge, skills and professional competence
- * Active commitment to patient compliance
- * Contribution to advancing clinical outcomes through improved patient compliance
- * Dissemination of clinical knowledge and expertise through presentations, workshops, participation in research and/or programs that provide access to care
- * Identified through peer recognition as dedicated, compassionate and highly effective clinician
- * Identified as a role model for patients and other peers
- * Employees of Hu-Friedy Mfg. Co., Inc. and their family members are not eligible to apply for this award
- Award
-
One recipient will be selected. Recipient will receive the following:
- * $5,000 cash award
- * An engraved award
- * Recognition in Access Magazine, ADHA's official publication
- * Recognition during ADHA's 95th Annual Conference in Columbus, OH which includes:
- Complimentary meeting registration for Annual Conference
- Round trip domestic airfare to Columbus, OH
- 2 Days Per Diem to be used in Columbus, OH
- 2 Nights Hotel Accommodations in Columbus, OH
- Award recognition during Saturday's General Session, June 23, 2018
Educator of the Year
The Educator of the Year Award recognizes, honors and rewards a full-time dental hygiene faculty member who contributes to and is dedicated to providing high- quality education to dental hygiene students.
Applications are now closed
Sponsored by:
- Criteria
- * Individuals should have a reference letter from a professional peer, a student, alumni, and/or the director of the program or dean of the school.
- * Applicants must be an ADHA member, be a full-time or part-time (no less than 15 contact hours per week) faculty member at either an accredited dental hygiene program, in a dental hygiene degree-completion program, or in a Master of Science degree program in dental hygiene. A listing of recognized programs can be found at www.adha.org/dental-hygiene-programs
- Award
-
One recipient will be selected. Recipient will receive the following :
- * $1,000 cash award
- * An engraved award
- * Recognition in Access Magazine, ADHA's official publication
- * Recognition during ADHA's 95th Annual Conference in Columbus, OH which includes:
- Complimentary meeting registration for Annual Conference
- Round trip domestic airfare to Columbus, OH
- 2 Days Per Diem to be used in Columbus, OH
- 2 Nights Hotel Accommodations in Columbus, OH
- Award recognition during Saturday's General Session, June 23, 2018
Colgate/ADHA Community Outreach
The Colgate/ADHA Community Outreach Award recognizes ADHA components and individuals submitting on behalf of components that have implemented significant community outreach programs, focusing on preventive oral health care.
Applications are now closed
Sponsored by:
- Criteria
- * Program must have been implemented by an ADHA component
- * Application must be submitted by ADHA member(s) on behalf of an ADHA component
- * ADHA constituents without a component organization are eligible to apply
- * Community projects are those that document a community need and have specific measurable objectives.
- * Community projects must involve volunteer dental hygienists and may include other members of the oral health care team.
- * Any component or individual responsible for implementing a community project concerned with some aspect of preventive oral health may submit an entry.
- * The number of entries each component may submit is not limited. An entry may be submitted by an individual or group of individuals on behalf of a component; however, duplicate entries submitted by more than one component or individual will not be considered.
- Award
-
One recipient will be selected. Recipient will receive the following:
- * Commemorative award.
- * Recognition in Access Magazine, ADHA's official publication
- * $2,000 donation to component. In absence of a component, the award will go to the state association.
- * One representative from the winning component will receive:
- Complimentary meeting registration for Annual Conference
- Round trip domestic airfare to Columbus, OH
- 2 Days Per Diem to be used in Columbus, OH
- Ground transportation in Columbus, OH
- 2 Nights Hotel Accommodations in Columbus, OH
- Award recognition during Saturday's General Session, June 23, 2018
Alfred C. Fones Award
The Alfred C. Fones Award recognizes outstanding achievement and dedication to the profession of dental hygiene. It also recognizes hygienists with 25 years of ADHA membership, achievement in education, and leadership.
Applications are now closed
- Criteria
- * Applicant must have 25 years of ADHA membership cumulatively (Does not include supporting or student membership)
- * Applicants years of membership must be verified by the treasurer/membership chair of your constituent
- * Applicant will be judged on leadership, education, previous awards, participation in the community, participation in other health organizations, political activity, and authorships. Please click the Apply Now link for more information
- Award
-
One recipient will be selected. Recipient will receive the following:
- * $1,000 cash award
- * An engraved award
- * One year of free membership to the ADHA
- * Recognition in Access Magazine, ADHA's official publication
- * Recognition during ADHA's 95th Annual Conference in Columbus, OH which includes:
- Complimentary meeting registration for Annual Conference
- Round trip domestic airfare to Columbus, OH
- 2 Days Per Diem to be used in Columbus, OH
- 2 Nights Hotel Accommodations in Columbus, OH
- Award recognition during Saturday's General Session, June 23, 2018
Irene Newman Professional Achievement Award
ADHA in conjunction with Colgate are pleased to present the Irene Newman Award, that which honors dental hygienists with 15 years of ADHA membership, achievement in education, and leadership.
Applications are now closed
Sponsored by:
- Criteria
- * Applicant must have 15 years of ADHA membership cumulatively (Does not include supporting or student membership)
- * Applicants years of membership must be verified by the treasurer/membership chair of your constituent
- * Applicant will be judged on previous awards, participation in the association, community and/or social service organizations. Please click the Apply Now link for more information
- Award
-
One recipient will be selected. Recipient will receive the following:
- * $1,000 cash award
- * An engraved award
- * One year of free membership to the ADHA
- * Recognition in Access Magazine, ADHA's official publication
- * Recognition during ADHA's 95th Annual Conference in Columbus, OH which includes:
- Complimentary meeting registration for Annual Conference
- Round trip domestic airfare to Columbus, OH
- 2 Days Per Diem to be used in Columbus, OH
- 2 Nights Hotel Accommodations in Columbus, OH
- Award recognition during Saturday's General Session, June 23, 2018
Student Member Community Service Award
ADHA in conjunction with Colgate are pleased to present the Student Community Service Award, which recognizes a student member chapter that has demonstrated outstanding community service activities. This award’s deadline is March 2nd, 2018.
Sponsored by:
- Criteria
- * Project must have been implemented by an ADHA Student Chapter
- * Application must be submitted by ADHA member(s) on behalf of an ADHA Student Chapter
- * At least ninety percent of the students in your class must be members of the ADHA.
- Award
-
One student chapter will be selected. Recipient will receive the following:
- * $3,000 cash award for the student chapter
- * An engraved award
- * Recognition in Access Magazine, ADHA's official publication
- * Award recognition during Saturday's General Session, June 23, 2018
ADHA/Sigma Phi Alpha Journalism Awards
The ADHA is pleased to announce the Sigma Phi Alpha Excellence in Journalism. This is awarded to an outstanding student pursuing a Baccalaureate degree/Graduate degree at a school with an active chapter of the Sigma Phi Alpha Dental Hygiene Honor Society that is a potential future Sigma Phi Alpha member or a current member in good standing. These awards recognize one outstanding manuscript submitted by a student pursuing a baccalaureate degree and one outstanding manuscript submitted by a student pursuing a master's or doctoral degree. Both winning manuscripts will be published in the Journal of Dental Hygiene. This award’s deadline is March 2nd, 2018.
- Criteria
- * Your school must have an active chapter of the Sigma Phi Alpha Dental Hygiene Honor Society
- * Applicant must be a current Sigma Phi Alpha member in good standing or a potential future member
- Award
-
One recipient at the baccalaureate level and one winner at the graduate level will be selected. Recipient will receive the following:
- * An engraved award
- * The winning manuscripts will be published in the Journal of Dental Hygiene
- * Recognition in Access Magazine, ADHA's official publication
- * Recognition during ADHA's 95th Annual Conference in Columbus, OH
100% Faculty Recognition Award
The 100% Faculty Recognition Award recognizes dental hygiene programs where 100% of full- and part-time dental hygiene faculty are members of ADHA. This award’s deadline is March 2nd, 2018.
- Criteria
- * All Dental Hygiene Faculty must be members of the ADHA
- * Membership must expire later than April 1, 2018
- Award
-
Programs achieving 100% faculty membership with the ADHA will receive the following:
- * Certificate
- * Recognition in Access Magazine, ADHA's official publication
- * Recognition during ADHA's 95th Annual Conference in Columbus, OH