October is National Dental Hygiene Month!  This year, “The Power of Us,” celebrates how we create lasting change for our profession and the communities we serve through collaboration and creating opportunities. All month long we’re sharing resources, activities, and social media content! Follow us @youradha!

Celebrating Dental Hygienists with Colgate

ADHA proudly partners with Colgate to celebrate National Dental Hygiene Month and the dental hygienists who make a lasting impact on oral health every day. Together, we’re advancing the profession through education, innovation, and community outreach.

Explore Colgate’s evidence-based resources, CE opportunities, and inspiring programs that support professional growth and practice excellence — including the RDH Investigates series and other Colgate-supported initiatives designed to empower hygienists everywhere.

Explore NDHM Colgate Events >>

 

Cover of the Journal of Dental Hygiene with a grey outlineOpen Access All Month – JDH October Issue

Check out the latest research, short reports, plus author videos connecting science to clinical practice. Access the October issue >>

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CELEBRATE THROUGHOUT THE MONTH
It’s Week TWO!

Did you miss the Colgate-sponsored CE session at ADHA25? You can still earn credit and expand your clinical expertise through the on-demand course, “The Power of Fluoride: From Chemistry to Chairside Care.” This session explores the science and practical applications of fluoride in caries prevention, offering evidence-based insights and communication strategies to help you provide personalized care for every patient.

ACCESS THE ON-DEMAND SESSION HERE

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Hygienist smiling and laughing "The Power of You"

Every dental hygienist brings unique skills, compassion, and expertise to patient care—and the power to drive meaningful change. Discover how you can make an impact through advocacy, education, and service. Plus, self-care and professional wellness resources to help you thrive!

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#PostYourPurple on October 10

Post Your Purple on October 10
💜 Thank you for posting your purple! 💜 We loved seeing how you celebrated dental hygiene’s signature color representing compassion, purpose, and inspiration! From purple scrubs to accessories and everything in between, your participation showed the true “Power of Us.” Check out the highlights below!

See Instagram Highlights
See Facebook Highlights

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Discover Your Power to Drive Change in Dental Hygiene

ADHA25 Podversations
In this Bonus ADHA25 Podversation, each story proves that individual action creates collective change. Derik Sven reveals model legislation for dental hygiene autonomy—a blueprint hygienists can use to advocate in their states. Federal lobbyist Quardricos Driskell shares how to amplify your voice through federal advocacy. Abby Rennau and Dr. Masih show how Foundation scholarships and grants transform careers and change lives by removing financial barriers. Listen Now >>

Guests: Derik J. Sven, MPH, MBA, RDH, CDT, FADHA, President, VDHA; Quardricos Driskell, Federal Lobbyist, Lobbyit; Abby G. Rennau, RDH, BSDH, MEd, Clinical Instructor, Central Community College; Dr. Sonika Masih, BDS, MS, RDH, EdD, Associate Professor, Minnesota State University, Mankato | Host: Matt Crespin, MPH, RDH, FADHA

Contribute to ADHA Advocacy Efforts
Give to Foundation Scholarships & Grants

Two hygienists smiling and laughing "Celebrate Your Practice"

WEEK 2: POWER OF YOUR PRACTICE

What you do saves lives and makes improves quality of life. This week, explore clinical resources, free CE opportunities, and practice-level innovation that support your prevention expertise and clinical excellence. How do YOU NDHM?

Access Clinical Practice Resources

Dive Into Practice-Level Innovation

RDH Investigates by ADHA & ColgateExplore the Colgate-sponsored 2024 RDH Investigates Case Study webinar — available on demand — and see how real-life patient cases translate into stronger clinical decisions. From caries management to homecare strategies, practice workflows, and optimizing whitening recommendations, this session gives you tangible tools to elevate your preventive care.

 

ACCESS 2024 RDH INVESTIGATES

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Free CE: Elevate Your Practice

A CE Smart Scholar Course

This week, access two FREE CE courses on CE Smart! Explore “How YOU Doin? The Importance of Workplace Culture” to build a high-performing practice environment, and “Changing the Focus of the Recall Visit” to elevate patient care beyond cleaning teeth. Each course offers 1.0 CE credit hour and practical strategies you can implement immediately.

FREE COURSE: HOW YOU DOIN’? WORKPLACE CULTURE
FREE COURSE: CHANGING THE FOCUS OF THE RECALL VISIT

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Clinical Resources at Your Fingertips

Looking for evidence-based clinical content, career guidance, and inspiring stories? Hygienist Hub is your go-to resource for articles, research, and editorial content that supports your practice excellence. Discover tools and insights to enhance patient care and advance your clinical expertise. Explore Hygienist Hub >>

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FREE Mental Health Webinar, October 29, 6:00 – 7:30 pm CT

Mental Health: A Personal Journey and Call to Action

Don’t miss this powerful FREE webinar. Harry Bruell and Sherri Lukes, RDH, MS, FAADH share personal stories and actionable strategies for integrating mental health screening into dental practice. Learn how to support patients with mental illness, identify barriers to care, and advocate for policy change. 1.5 CE credits. Register Now >>

 

Three hygienists standing together laughing "Power of Partnerships"

WEEK 3: POWER OF PARTNERSHIP

Together, we’re stronger through collaborations that advance our profession – our fellow dental hygienists, our educators, co-workers, industry partners, legislators – these are strategic partnership that move us forward. What partnerships make your practice stronger?

This week we are grateful for our professional collaborations and advocacy wins!

How to support Advocacy directly

Four dental hygienists smiling and laughing "Power of Our Profession"

WEEK 4: POWER OF OUR PROFESSION

We’re essential healthcare providers advancing our profession, and expanding our reach. Learn more about the Hygienist Inspired program, how to become an Ally, and how to support the future of our profession.

Become a Hygienist Inspired Ally

Attend the free webinar on 10/29 Mental Health: A Personal Journey and Call to Action

CE Smart offers FREE CE

CE Smart online learning offers over 160 CE Courses. 42 are completely free to ADHA Members and CE Smart Subscribers and worth up to 100 CEs! 

Take a look at CE Smart

The Power of Us

Together, we celebrate, advocate, and advance the dental hygiene profession.
Thank you for being part of this amazing community. We’re at our best, together.

The Power of Us, National Dental Hygiene Month