The American Dental Hygienists’ Association and the International Federation of Dental Hygienists are advocating for the delivery of dental hygiene services exclusively by practitioners who meet certain qualifications.
The two organizations released a joint statement April 17 stating that hygiene services should be provided by people who have completed accredited educational programs and obtained proper licensure. The statement is a response to recent U.S. legislation that expands the ability of other practitioners to perform dental hygiene services.
IFDH President Jill Rethman referred to such legislation as “quick fixes that won’t address the root causes of personnel shortages.”
“These efforts could endanger the public by allowing those without the thorough training of licensed dental hygienists to treat patients,” Ms. Rethman said. “The IFDH stands with the ADHA opposing any effort to dilute the dental hygiene profession.”
The organizations said they support strategies to enhance hygienist recruitment and address workplace challenges, rather than strategies that could lower professional standards.
