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Welcome

Welcome to Maryland-DHA.org. The following web pages are provided by the Maryland Dental Hygienists' Association. It is available as a benefit of membership and as a professional resource to the Maryland Dental Hygiene community and our national and international Dental Hygiene visitors for up to date information.

For our consumers, it is provided as a public service and for educational purposes. MDHA has designed this website to provide users with timely, general oral health information and information regarding health issues that directly pertain to the citizens of Maryland. For specific inquiries, users should consult their own oral health providers.

Who We Are

The Maryland Dental Hygienists' Association is a constituent of the American Dental Hygienists' Association, the largest national organization representing Registered Dental Hygienists.

MDHA was organized in January 1953 and was chartered by ADHA in January 1954 for the purpose of developing communication and mutual cooperation among Registered Dental Hygienists. MDHA serves to promote and protect the oral health of the general public, increase access to oral health care for underserved populations, and promote the professional growth and interests of its members. Throughout its proud 55-year history, MDHA has been the official representative of Dental Hygiene in the state of Maryland. There are currently nine components of MDHA in Maryland.

We actively participate as volunteers providing dental hygiene services at various community health centers across the state and during Children's Dental Health Month (February) members volunteer in educational projects at local libraries, at health fairs and in numerous elementary and middle schools in Maryland. Donations of toothbrushes and an assortment of other items are sent to various battered women's and children's shelters as well. National Dental Hygiene Month activities vary amongst the state components but usually include dinner meetings featuring prominent area dental speakers providing continuing education courses for members. Registered Dental Hygienist members of MDHA are actively involved throughout the year in activities ranging from civic and community outreach projects, state fairs, oral cancer screenings and walkathons to oral health and prevention-related volunteer activities. Special emphasis is placed on those activities with proceeds ear-marked for charitable organizations. MDHA annually funds the three Bertha Morgan Scholarships for qualified dental hygiene applicants to Maryland University Department of Dental Hygiene, Baltimore Community College, and Allegany College of Maryland.

The official publication of the Maryland Dental Hygienists' Association is Newsletter of the Maryland Dental Hygienists' Association and is mailed to members quarterly. It provides current information regarding dental hygiene research, scientific and technical advances, legislative, public health, and licensure issues as well as statewide continuing professional education offerings. Ongoing education courses are offered throughout the year in all components so that members may remain current with advancements and developments in the profession as well as remain compliant with the requirements for licensure renewal. Because of our proximity to many of the major health research centers such as the National Institutes of Health, Johns Hopkins University, Bethesda National Naval Health Center, Walter Reed U.S. Army National Health Center, and numerous other health centered teaching institutions, we are fortunate to have access to a wide variety of information and researchers to provide the most current information to course attendees.

MDHA's Annual Session is centered around two full days of comprehensive continuing professional education courses, House of Delegates with representatives from all nine components, elections, ADHA updates, announcements, fellowship, and the annual luncheon. The Annual Spring Scientific Session offers an additional two days of continuing professional education courses featuring nationally and internationally known speakers, a luncheon on both days, and a gathering of representatives from all nine components. The corporate dental community is well represented at all meetings to display and discuss the latest in preventive as well as therapeutic oral health products, equipment and supplies.

Mission Statement

To improve the public's total health, the mission of the Maryland Dental Hygienists' Association is to advance the art and science of dental hygiene by increasing the awareness of the cost effective benefits of prevention and ensuring access to quality oral health care, promoting the highest standards of dental hygiene education, licensure, practice, and research, and promoting the interests of dental hygienists.

M.D.H.A. Officers

2007-2008

Maryland D.H.A. Components

For additional component and/or toll free contact information please see membership pages of this website.