Welcome to the Kansas Dental Hygienists' Association

Welcome to the official website of the Kansas Dental Hygienists' Association (KDHA).

KDHA is a constituent of ADHA. ADHA is the largest professional organization representing the interests of dental hygienists.

Our members enjoy professional support, educational programs, and numerous opportunities for participation in association decision making. With your support, we can carry out our mission to advance the art and science of dental hygiene, and to promote the highest standards of education and practice in the profession.

This site strives to provide you with information relating to everything from Legislative issues to continuing education programs. Please visit often to stay informed of current issues and events concerning the Kansas Dental Hygienist as this site is updated frequently. Last update 4/20/2013

KDHA is selling T-shirts!

A printable version of this form is right here! Floss Or Die order form
KDHA Shirt Order Form

*Publication Page login information:

Username = last name + first initial (all lower case, no spaces, hyphens were left in)
Password = ADHA member ID#
If you have any problems contact Jill Gottschamer: jilleerdh@ksmail.net

A Message from our President

*Hello to all my colleagues!

New faces and a new Executive Council bring changes and new ideas. I’m very excited to see all the positive changes occurring in our state.

I would like to introduce our 2012-2013 Kansas Dental Hygienists Association’s Executive Council to everyone. Maggie Smet is our Immediate Past President, me – Jill Gottschamer is our President, Stephanie Witt is our President-Elect, Frances Reichmuth is our Treasurer, Megan Jenish is our Secretary and our Component Representatives include: Jane Criser from Wichita DHA, Stephanie Wall from North Central KDHA, Brenna Henery from Douglas County DHA, Molly Cole from Johnson County DHA and Kathy Thompson from Western KS Study Club. Our Delegates that represent us nationally at ADHA are: Jackie Leakey – senior delegate, Jane Criser – delegate, Yoly Arends – alternate delegate and Stephanie Witt – alternate delegate.

We have a lot going on this year in our state. First we are currently working on updating all Component By-laws to be in compliance with the ADHA. The new By-laws include a definition of boundaries which we have never had in our state. In the midst of these changes, Western Kansas intends on applying for a Component Charter. This should all be done by the summer 2013. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your local component representatives. Their e-mail addresses are on our website www.kdha.org .

Second, the Kansa Dental Project is reintroducing a bill for the mid-level provider in January/February. The KDHA has supported this proposal from the beginning. We need a lot of help this year individually connecting with all the legislators in the state because there are so many new ones. Please talk to your own legislators and pick another one in an obscure area of our state and talk to them too. The Dental Project has provided many talking points in writing to help us when speaking one on one with these legislators. Utilize them and give a copy to the legislator. The one on one contact is going to make all the difference in order for this Bill to move forward. Also remember to save the date and come join us as we pair up with members from the Dental Project to have a successful Lobby Day on February 6th, 2013.

Finally, this year the Kansas Dental Board licensed 124 hygienists and 28 dentists. That means there are 4 new hygienists for every 1 new dentist. The job market is very tough and some of the graduates still do not have jobs as I write this. Please do anything you can to help these new hygienists to utilize their degree and license.

Remember to stay connected by making sure the ADHA and the KDB have a current e-mail address on file for you. This is our main source of communication. Also remember to check the website www.kdha.org . The most current information is on it including all meeting dates, job listings and legislative updates.

Thank you for supporting the only Association working specifically for you, the Kansas Dental Hygienist! Better together! :-)

Jill Gottschamer RDH, BHS

Feel free to contact me: jilleerdh@ksmail.net

New to the website!!

Directory: KDHA 2012-2013 Executive Council has been added
Employment: Check out the new ones as of 4/20/2013
Calendar of Events: Last update 4/20/2013
Legislation Page: New policy brief, HB 2157, Article on "Rural DDS's Need Midlevels", coalition list.
Publication Page - January 2013 Hyline is available in our new format. For members only to log in see above.
Advertisements are free to members and those (any Drs, schools, etc) looking for a hygienist

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