California Dental Hygienists’ Association

The California Dental Hygienists’ Association was established in 1917. In 2016, the California Dental Hygienists’ Association terminated its charter with the American Dental Hygienists’ Association and became an independent dental hygiene association.[5][6][7]

As of 2020, the association has 25 component (local) organizations.The Board of Trustees is the governing body of the Association, responsible for the ultimate direction of the management of the affairs of the Association. The CDHA Board of Trustees is made up of six officers and twenty-five trustees, and Speaker of the House, as an ex officio officer. The CDHA has nine councils, each of which has a Chairperson and several members, each appointed by the President:

• Administration
• Alternative Practice
• Government Relations
• Information Technology
• Membership
• Professional Development
• Public Health
• Public Relations
• Student Relations

The Journal of the California Dental Hygienists’ Association is the scientific publication of the California Dental Hygienists’ Association. It promotes the publication of original research related to the practice and education of dental hygiene. The Journal is published exclusively online, and is distributed three times a year.[8]

The movement that led to the current provider classification of the registered dental hygienist in alternative practice (RDHAP) in California begun within the Southern California Dental Hygienists’ Association in the late 1970s.[9] A registered dental hygienist in alternative practice is licensed to provide dental hygiene care to those with limited access to care in traditional dental office settings.[10]

The CDHA was involved in the creation of the Dental Hygiene Board of California (DHBC) that is unique in the United States as it enables dental hygienists in California to be completely self-regulated. The DHBC is responsible for issuing, reviewing, and enforcing dental hygiene licenses as well as developing the Law and Ethics examinations.[11]