ADHA Master File

As part of the ADHA’s Research Resources Center (RRC), the Division of Research collects and analyzes data and other information on a wide range of dental hygiene-related issues commonly known as the Master File. Master File information is disseminated by ADHA to the dental hygiene and oral health professions and the public. The RRC has a variety of Master File reports and publications available for purchase in both printed and electronic formats.

ADHA Master File List Rental Services and Agreement (61k pdf)‎

ADHA Master File Survey Reports Order Form (21k pdf)‎

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ADHA Master File?

• Current data and information about the dental hygiene profession in the U.S.
• Data elements related to a variety of programs and services of interest to different DH stakeholders
• A comprehensive listing of DH professionals in the U.S.

Why the Master File?
Dental hygienists are licensed health care professionals, who support the health and well being of the American public through oral health promotion, education, prevention, and therapeutic services. Although there is evidence that dental hygienists play a central role in assuring access to dental services and improving oral health outcomes in the U.S., the importance of dental hygienists is not understood by many stakeholders concerned about oral health in America. Exacerbating the difficulty of the importance of hygienists is the absence of reliable data about dental hygienists in the U.S. ADHA recognized the need to address this information gap and is doing so through the Master File Project.

What does the Master File contain?
The ADHA Master File contains data that spans the continuum from undergraduate education through practice and comprise databases of current dental hygiene programs, degree completion programs, masters programs, students and over 150,000 licensed dental hygienists. The ADHA Dental Hygiene Master File includes current data on all dental hygienists, including ADHA members and nonmembers, and student and graduates of dental hygiene programs who reside in the United States and who have met the educational and credentialing requirements necessary for recognition as a dental hygienist. ADHA continues to identify critical questions, collect needed data, evaluate progress and make assessments of efforts to improve and support the dental hygiene workforce. The Master File includes the following:

• Inventory of Dental Hygiene Data Sets
• ADHA Master File Survey Database Reports
• Master List

What is the Inventory of Dental Hygiene Data Sets?
This listing contains all existing data sets that have data on dental hygienists in the U.S.

What are the ADHA Master File Survey Reports?

Dental Hygiene Education Program Director Survey, 2006
This survey of DH education program directors contains up-to-date information about the education programs and their faculty and staff, and about student demographics and job markets for Dental Hygienists.

Dental Hygiene Practitioner Survey, 2007 (Coming winter 2008/2009)
This survey of currently practicing dental hygienists contains up-to-date information about demographics, current employment, services provided, and job markets for Dental Hygienists.

Dental Hygiene Student Exit Survey, 2008 (to be conducted)
This survey of students about to graduate from Dental Hygiene education programs contains up-to-date information about the education, job settings, work activities, job markets, and career plans of future Dental Hygiene professionals.

What is the Master List?

Master List (available for purchase beginning September 2008)
The ADHA Master List contains information on current and historical data on the over 150,000 licensed hygienists in the Untied States, both ADHA members and nonmembers. This includes students and individuals who reside in the United States and who have met the educational and credentialing requirements necessary for recognition as hygienist. The current listing was developed from data collected in late 2006. The listing will be continuously updated with newly licensed hygienist added to the list on a yearly basis beginning winter 2008/2009.

How can I obtain a copy of the survey reports?
The survey briefs and executive summary of the survey reports are free and available
for download here

Full reports of the surveys can be ordered by clicking here. In an effort to make the survey information most useful, not all information collected in Master File surveys is published. Custom-run data analysis can be performed on existing published or unpublished data in a way not found in our reports and tailored to suit your needs. If you are interested in custom-run data analysis, please submit a written request via mail, fax, or e-mail to ADHA (contact information on the bottom of this page). In the request, please indicate what specific information you are interested in and how the data will be used.

How can I obtain a copy of the Master List?
The ADHA “Master List” includes Dental Hygienists Lists and Institution Lists. Dental Hygiene Lists include names and mailing addresses of dental hygienists, at either a business or home address, at the individuals’ preference. Institution Lists include addresses of DH accredited educational programs (addressed to “Program Director”). The Master List is available for purchase for one-time use only. ADHA constituent organizations can contact ADHA directly. All others, please use the Master List rental and service agreement.

Who do I contact for additional information regarding the Master File Project?
For additional information regarding any portion of the Master File please contact:

American Dental Hygienists’ Association
Master File
444 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 3400
Chicago, Illinois 60611
312-440-8900
masterfile@adha.net