FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Catherine K. Draper Elevated to Editor in Chief of the Journal of Dental Hygiene
ADHA recognizes a decade of leadership and scientific excellence as journal approaches centennial milestone
Catherine K. Draper, RDH, MS, FADHA, was promoted to Editor in Chief of the Journal of Dental Hygiene in October 2025. (Photo courtesy of Cathy Draper)
CHICAGO, Oct. 7, 2025—The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) is pleased to announce the promotion of Catherine K. Draper, RDH, MS, FADHA, to Editor in Chief of the Journal of Dental Hygiene, effective immediately. Draper has served as the journal’s Managing Editor since 2016.
“Cathy’s innovative leadership and dedication to scientific excellence have been invaluable to the Journal of Dental Hygiene,” said Jennifer Hill, Chief Executive Officer of ADHA. “Her contributions to expanding the journal’s scope and mentoring emerging researchers strengthen the foundation of dental hygiene scholarship. This promotion recognizes both her exceptional work over the past decade and our confidence in her continued leadership.”
Since joining the journal in 2016, Draper has guided significant improvements including a streamlined Editorial Board review process, a comprehensive redesign aligned with ADHA’s 2023 rebranding, and the recent addition of video content to research articles. She has introduced new content categories including “Short Reports” that provide valuable guidance for students and developing researchers in presenting their work. This promotion comes as the journal approaches its 100th anniversary in 2026.
Draper is currently a member of the adjunct faculty in the Health Sciences and Horticulture Division at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills, California. She has over 45 years of experience in clinical dental hygiene practice. A 1975 graduate of Foothill College, she received her Master of Science in Dental Hygiene from the University of Michigan in 1978.
During her tenure as Managing Editor, Draper earned the ADHA Award for Excellence in Dental Hygiene (2020), was named an ADHA Professional Fellow in the inaugural class of FADHA (2023) and received the ADHA Presidential Citation (2024) for her work on a special 2023 issue celebrating ADHA’s centennial, which was jointly published with the International Journal of Dental Hygiene. She has presented continuing education programs nationally and internationally on topics including oropharyngeal cancer, dental implants, and infection control, and has contributed to multiple dental hygiene publications and textbooks.
The Journal of Dental Hygiene is the only peer-reviewed scientific research publication dedicated exclusively to dental hygiene in the United States. Published six times per year, the journal is a benefit of ADHA membership and available by subscription. The October issue is currently available as open access in celebration of National Dental Hygiene Month at adha.org/JDH.
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About the American Dental Hygienists’ Association
The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) is the only organization representing the professional interests of the more than 226,000 dental hygienists in the United States. Dental hygienists are preventive oral health professionals, licensed in dental hygiene, who provide educational, clinical and therapeutic services that support total health through the promotion of optimal oral health. The Journal of Dental Hygiene (JDH), published bi-monthly, is ADHA’s scientific journal and flagship publication. To learn more about the ADHA, dental hygiene or the link between oral health and general health, visit adha.org.
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