From the President
President's final address:
WOW! It has been a whirlwind of a year as your President!
I have met students, educators, clinicians, researchers, dentists, and company representatives (just to name a few). The one thing we all share is the passion for dental hygiene and the drive to always make things better!
This year the IDHA set a legislative agenda with three items. One-direct reimbursement from Medicaid, Two-limited prescription writing authorities, and Three-Adding Dental Therapists to the scope of practice in Iowa Dentistry.
Dental Therapists are mid-level practitioners licensed by the Board of Dentistry and members of the oral health care team. They typically practice in underserved areas where access to care is a barrier. A DT will not replace a dentist or a hygienist; instead, they will enhance the profession much the way Nurse practitioners and Physician Assistants have enhanced the medical profession. Dental Therapists have been authorized in 13 states and over 50 countries worldwide since 1921. Hygienists in Iowa are not seeking to open our own practices or divide the profession; instead, we want to have the ability to provide quality care to the most vulnerable populations. Working together has been our goal, striving to improve the oral health of all Iowans.
The vision for these changes in the practice act is to expand access to care for all Iowans. We have had supporters from all across the state and even from outside of Iowa who recognize the importance of being able to provide quality care to those in need. IDA's PAC chairman sent a deliberately misleading letter to dentists across the state about IDHA's legislative mission for the year. I was disheartened to read this letter that grossly exaggerated IDHA's position. The truth is we have been transparent about our ideas, positions, and intentions from the start. Medicaid populations are some of Iowa's most vulnerable populations. By allowing hygienists to be Medicaid providers and introducing dental therapy, there will be greater access to care for all Iowans. Adding dental therapists as a midlevel provider in Iowa would allow underinsured children and seniors to access care more easily. IDHA is absolutely NOT looking to fracture but to enhance the profession by adding to the career ladder of dentistry.
I invite you to attend this year's Iowa Dental Hygienists' Association annual session as we look toward the future. Discover quality speakers chosen with the Dental Hygienist in mind, visit the vendors with the latest products on display, and engage with like-minded professionals; see old friends, and make some new ones! Celebrate your profession!
Alone, we can do so little, but together, we can do so much!
-Helen Keller
Thank you for the privilege of being your President!
Donnella
President's final address:
WOW! It has been a whirlwind of a year as your President!
I have met students, educators, clinicians, researchers, dentists, and company representatives (just to name a few). The one thing we all share is the passion for dental hygiene and the drive to always make things better!
This year the IDHA set a legislative agenda with three items. One-direct reimbursement from Medicaid, Two-limited prescription writing authorities, and Three-Adding Dental Therapists to the scope of practice in Iowa Dentistry.
Dental Therapists are mid-level practitioners licensed by the Board of Dentistry and members of the oral health care team. They typically practice in underserved areas where access to care is a barrier. A DT will not replace a dentist or a hygienist; instead, they will enhance the profession much the way Nurse practitioners and Physician Assistants have enhanced the medical profession. Dental Therapists have been authorized in 13 states and over 50 countries worldwide since 1921. Hygienists in Iowa are not seeking to open our own practices or divide the profession; instead, we want to have the ability to provide quality care to the most vulnerable populations. Working together has been our goal, striving to improve the oral health of all Iowans.
The vision for these changes in the practice act is to expand access to care for all Iowans. We have had supporters from all across the state and even from outside of Iowa who recognize the importance of being able to provide quality care to those in need. IDA's PAC chairman sent a deliberately misleading letter to dentists across the state about IDHA's legislative mission for the year. I was disheartened to read this letter that grossly exaggerated IDHA's position. The truth is we have been transparent about our ideas, positions, and intentions from the start. Medicaid populations are some of Iowa's most vulnerable populations. By allowing hygienists to be Medicaid providers and introducing dental therapy, there will be greater access to care for all Iowans. Adding dental therapists as a midlevel provider in Iowa would allow underinsured children and seniors to access care more easily. IDHA is absolutely NOT looking to fracture but to enhance the profession by adding to the career ladder of dentistry.
I invite you to attend this year's Iowa Dental Hygienists' Association annual session as we look toward the future. Discover quality speakers chosen with the Dental Hygienist in mind, visit the vendors with the latest products on display, and engage with like-minded professionals; see old friends, and make some new ones! Celebrate your profession!
Alone, we can do so little, but together, we can do so much!
-Helen Keller
Thank you for the privilege of being your President!
Donnella
Annual Session 2023
MAY 5-6TH, 2023
IDHA ANNUAL SESSION CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA
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