May 2015 Newswire
April showers bring May flowers, right? Well, at least that’s how the saying goes! Regardless of when the rains come, it is always pleasant to see trees budding and flowers blooming! The season is changing, the scenery is changing, and we embrace the warmth of the sun and the smell of the flowers! The same is happening with your professional association. We are embracing change, and making change happen, one day at a time.
Most recently, MDHA hosted over 40 dental hygienists for a training workshop, provided by Oral Health America (OHA), titled “Tooth Wisdom: Get Smart About Your Mouth.” With this training, these RDHs will connect community-dwelling older adults with oral health resources and education. Michigan is the 1st state to take on this project and we are proud to partner with OHA, the Area Agencies on Aging Association and the Coalition for Oral Health for the Aging (COHA) to empower older adults to care for their oral health. Stay tuned for opportunities to assist with these workshops locally and change the way people think about their oral health, especially in our older-adult population.
The MDHA is also hosting our annual Legislative Luncheon where RDHs can change the way legislators think and speak about the dental hygiene profession. This is our opportunity to “shine” and educate the legislators, and their staff, with exactly who we are, what we do, our educational background, licensure and value that we bring to healthcare as an essential primary care provider. This event happens every year, and the legislators want to hear from YOU, their constituent. So, if you have never attended or have come every year, this is a great opportunity to network with those working for us at the State level. We want to thank our sponsor, Delta Dental, for their support and for collaborating with us on this wonderful event!
Soon, your MDHA delegation will be heading to Indianapolis to meet with District V delegates from Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana to review proposed Bylaws and Resolutions for ADHA Annual Session, and to elect our new District V Trustee. Change will be happening as we streamline our policies and improve the foundation of our profession.
We have several hundred students whose lives are about to change as they celebrate their success at pinning ceremonies and graduations. I was honored to be invited to attend the UDM Commencement ceremony, as well as several pinning ceremonies! What a wonderful opportunity to showcase our profession and support our colleagues and friends! Congratulations to all dental hygiene graduates! We look forward to you joining and/or maintaining membership in your professional association so that we can transform our profession together!
Don’t forget to “like” us on Facebook and connect with us on Twitter at #MIdentalhygiene.
The time is now to get on the “change” train and take advantage of all that your professional association does for you. Make the future of dental hygiene something more than what it is now, or what it would be, if we just left it alone.
We are all change agents, so I know you have it in you to “be the change you wish to see in the world.”
In harmony…
KATHY MIELKE, BS, RDH
MDHA President