The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) is advancing the profession through evidence-based research and policy analysis. These white papers provide in-depth, research-backed recommendations that inform policy decisions, advance professional practice, and demonstrate the critical role dental hygienists play in improving population health outcomes.
Missed Potential: How Expanding Dental Hygienists’ Roles Can Bridge America’s Oral Health Gaps
Published September 10, 2025
America’s oral health crisis is preventable. This white paper reveals how restrictive state laws block access to care for millions and provides the evidence-based roadmap to fix it.
Dental Hygiene Self-Regulation: How Self-Regulation Strengthens Public Protection and Expands Access to Care
Published December 22, 2025
In most states, dental hygienists are regulated by the same profession that employs them. This white paper examines that conflict of interest and provides a roadmap for the autonomy nursing secured long ago.
Dental Hygiene Diagnosis: Defining the Essential Role of Diagnostic Decision-Making in Dental Hygiene
Published February 10, 2026
Dental hygienists diagnose at every patient encounter — yet only three states explicitly recognize it. This white paper defines DHDx, examines its status across state practice acts, and presents a path forward.