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2025-2026 ADHA Foundation Chair

The role of the Foundation Chair is to advance the profession of Dental Hygiene through scholarship, research, and service. In alignment with ADHA, the ADHA Foundation supports oral healthcare professionals throughout their career.

These vital programs would not exist without the generous support of individuals like you, who care about oral health. Your donation makes this work possible. Every donation makes a difference to improve public health by increasing awareness of and access to quality oral healthcare.

“As the 2024–25 ADHA Foundation Chair, I’m honored to lead this important work. Together with our dedicated state liaisons and committees, we’re opening doors for dental hygienists and students across the country. Your support turns vision into reality. Help us shape the future of dental hygiene—and consider becoming a sustaining donor by joining the Legacy League today.”

2025-2026 ADHA FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ADHA Foundation Review Committees

Community Service Grant Review Committee
The Community Service Grant Review Committee includes four reviewers that possess an understanding and expertise in community service programming and performance measures. This Committee reviews all community service grant submissions in any given fiscal year and typically meets at least twice per year to make recommendations to the Board of Directors for Community Service Grant funding.

Research Grant Review Committee
The Research Grant Review Committee is composed of four reviewers that demonstrate prior knowledge and expertise in the field of oral healthcare and dental hygiene research. This Committee must review all research grant proposals for any given fiscal year and meets in the Spring to make recommendations to the Board of Directors for Research Grant funding.

Scholarship Review Committee
The Scholarship Review Committee consists of three reviewers that exhibit expertise in the field of dental hygiene higher education. This Committee must review all completed scholarship applications for each of the Foundation’s scholarships. This Committee meets in the Spring to make recommendations to the Board of Directors for Scholarship funding.

ADHA Foundation Liaison Committee

The ADHA Foundation Liaison Committee consists of four volunteer leaders, representing each of the ADHA Regions, who serve for a period of two years. This committee is vital to the growth and progress of our profession, and it is important that they function on a year-round basis. The primary focus of this committee is supporting the liaisons through training and mentorship while assisting with national fundraising activities. These groups play an integral role in the pursuit of our mission and goals.

ADHA Foundation State Liaisons

Liaisons are volunteers, grassroots fundraisers, ADHA leaders, and change-makers. The fundraising they do on behalf of the Foundation directly contributes to scholarships, community service grants and research grants to dental hygienists throughout the United States. Liaisons also serve as chief communicators for Foundation opportunities such as open scholarships and grants. They are also advocates for their communities, working closely within the state and local chapters to communicate the needs of those communities to the National ADHA Foundation offices to better serve the dental hygiene community.

Interested in becoming an ADHA Foundation Liaison?
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ADHA Foundation Liaison Appreciation Awards

The ADHA Foundation is proud to introduce the ADHA Foundation Liaisons’ Appreciation Awards, a program designed to recognize and celebrate the dedication, passion, and hard work of our esteemed liaisons who tirelessly fundraise on behalf of the foundation. These individuals are the backbone of our organization, driving crucial support for our mission to promote oral health and advance access to dental care for all. Winners are announced and recognized during the ADHA Annual Conference ADHA Foundation Reception. An award will be presented to all winners.

Q1 – Q2 (July-December)
Most Funds Raised Awards:
The totals for the Autumn Giving Campaign award winners (ADHA Constituent that Raised the Most Funds in the Autumn Giving Campaign, Categories 1, 2 and 3).

Q3-Q4 (January-June)
Innovation Award:
The Innovation Award honors the liaison who has demonstrated unparalleled creativity, strategic thinking, and resourcefulness in designing and implementing a fundraising campaign that captivates audiences and drives impactful results.

Rising Star Award:
The Rising Star Award honors the liaison who has demonstrated the most significant advancement in fundraising efforts, displaying a commendable dedication to enhancing financial support for oral health initiatives.

Fundraiser Achievement Award:
The Fundraising Achievement Award is given to the liaison who has achieved the highest percentage of their yearly fundraising target. From meticulously planning campaigns to engaging donors and rallying support, recipients of this award illustrate the pinnacle of fundraising excellence within the ADHA Foundation community.

Liz Chaney Liaison of the Year Award
Qualifications:

• Has shown a commitment to the Foundation’s mission with at least 3 years of service as a State Liaison
• Exceeds expectations through a consistent increase of at least 6% in total funds raised per year
• Exhibits growth by either
  • yearly increases in the average cumulative donor amount per year or
  • yearly increases in the number of annual donors per year

Mobile Dentistry Volunteer Opportunities

The ADHA Foundation has partnered with our friends at Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures^® to offer year-round involvement opportunities with their Mobile Community Program. As a volunteer, you’ll have the opportunity to work with children in your community reinforcing the importance of maintaining good oral health habits.

Each of Colgate Bright Smiles Bright Futures’ mobile dental vans is a “dental office on wheels,” specially designed to help establish a friendly environment for all children. Staffed by volunteer dental professionals, the mobile dental vans feature two dental chairs and a waiting area where children learn about healthy habits.

Find volunteer opportunities in your community