June 10, 2009

2009 Center for Lifelong Learning at the 86th Annual Session
June 17-23, 2009 ~ Washington, DC ~ Omni Shoreham Hotel
24 Unique CE Sessions – Over 100 Exhibitors – Networking with over 1,500 RDH’s!

Drive-in for a Day of CE!

Onsite Registration Opens Wednesday, June 17
It’s not too late to participate in the largest, most affordable dental hygiene event in 2009!  Several CE courses are still available.  Drive-in for a day of CE!

Are you a first-time attendee?
Make the most out of your meeting experience by attending the First Timers/Mentors Luncheon on Thursday, June 18. This affordable luncheon is a great way to learn about the meeting and meet new colleagues.  Add this to your registration onsite at the Omni Shoreham Hotel.  Space is still available.

IOH Benefit/President’s Reception – Featuring the Big Band Era
Celebrate the Big Band Era at the IOH Benefit/President's Reception! Dress in your favorite 20’s or 30’s attire, or come as you are! Attend the party of the year for FREE!

Announcing the New 2009 Unleashing Your Potential Weekend
ADHA has a proud history of working with corporate supporters to provide potential leaders with the skills and tools they need to lead their fellow dental hygienists to successfully accomplish our state organizations’ goals.

The Unleashing Your Potential Weekend has a new look in 2009! It is no longer limited to the president-elect of each state.  An application process has been put into place which will allow all interested members the opportunity to be chosen to attend this strategic workshop, November 13-15, 2009.  Click here for the application. Application PDF | Funding PDF

Help to make this another successful year for the Institute’s premier fundraising event!
The 2009 Institute Silent Auction is quickly approaching, and we need your help! Last year through the annual auction, over $12,000 was raised for dental hygiene education, research and community service. This year, we hope to exceed that figure!

New for 2009, ADHA’s President’s Reception and the IOH Extravaganza will be combined to make one large benefit celebration. On Saturday, June 20, 2009, the Institute will host its 11th Annual Silent Auction in Washington, D.C. during the ADHA Institute for Oral Health Benefit/President’s Reception. During the premier fundraising event for the foundation, time-share vacations, works of art, jewelry, food and wine baskets, regional and collectible gifts and handmade crafts will be auctioned.

We ask that you solicit donations from your constituent and component organizations, as well as dedicated dental hygienists throughout your state. It is recommended that all auction items retail over $100. Donors will receive a tax-deductible credit for their gift. Auction items will be displayed for preview on the Exhibit Show Floor and in the Silent Auction program with the donor and/or solicitors’ names.

If you, or a donor, have any questions regarding auction solicitations or the auction process, please feel free to contact Star Abernathy at (312) 440-8944 or e-mail at institute@adha.net. Your help in this matter is important, as it is only through your generosity that auction items are collected.

Montana DHA Raises Awareness for Breast Cancer
This May, the Montana Dental Hygienists’ Association (MDHA) walked the 5K in the “Race for the Cure” in Helena, MT. Lorrie Merrick, RDH, public relations chairperson of MDHA, spoke with ADHA about the experience.

Why did MDHA decide to participate in this walk?
We decided that from the prospective of women’s health care issues and the fact that we treat women, and in some cases men, on a daily basis who suffer from this horrible disease, that we should support this cause. I am also a survivor, so for me it is a very personal mission. When I mentioned it to Fred and Linda Van de Perre from Paradise Dental Technologies (PDT), they wanted to support us immediately. They donated and designed the t-shirts for all of the participants. This is the first year we have done this, and we decided if it was successful, then we would be bigger, better and more organized next year and enter MDHA as a team.

How many people from MDHA participated overall?
We decided to challenge the MDHA Board of Trustees to enter the race. We had 15 of 24 board members participate!

How much money did you raise?
We raised a total of $525. We also had family members participate, so I could add another $200 for entry fees. Next year promises to be bigger and better. We will enter as a team, and each component will raise money by getting someone to sponsor them as part of our team, and we will donate that money on behalf of MDHA.

What was the mood/tone throughout the walk?
The mood was positive and upbeat, and there was a general sense of contributing to something bigger—more important than we could ever fathom. At the end of the walk, everyone said they would do it again in a heartbeat, and they were excited that MDHA would make this a bigger challenge for next year and encourage all Montana dental hygienists to join us in the race to raise money for breast cancer research, prevention education and maybe someday a cure. We were also thrilled that our families were able to take this journey with us. It was a perfect day!

Why do you think it is important that other associations, and even dental hygienists in general, become involved?
First of all, it is a health issue facing women all over the world on a daily basis. There are many dental hygienists out there who are either survivors, recovering or unfortunately have succumbed to this disease. There will never be enough money to fight every breast cancer battle, but I believe the hope of the Susan G. Komen Foundation is to focus more on prevention. We need to believe that this disease is preventable and work towards that philosophy. There is power in numbers.

Will MDHA be involved with any other upcoming walks or charity activities?
Currently, we are planning for the next “Race for the Cure” in 2010. Typically as dental hygienists, especially in our vast state, you will always find us in a voluntary capacity at career fairs, health fairs, school screenings, senior citizen facilities and public schools.

What did you gain from this experience?
Nobody does this for reward or to get their name in the paper. Every woman, man and child participates in this event to raise awareness of breast cancer and its issues, to educate people about this disease, to remember a loved one who has died at the hand of breast cancer, to advocate for someone who is currently being treated for breast cancer, and to raise money to promote further research and study prevention of this disease.

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