Newswise — Pittsburgh (June 9, 2016) – Registered dental hygienists and oral health professionals from throughout the United States are gathering in Pittsburgh, Pa., for the American Dental Hygienists’ Association’s (ADHA’s) 2016 ADHA Center for Lifelong Learning at the 93rd Annual Session (CLL/AS). This year’s meeting, held June 8-14, 2016, features a broad array of programs, educational sessions and networking events, as well as two days of exhibits showcasing the latest dental technologies, products and equipment.
More than 30 continuing education (CE) offerings, divided into six tracks — clinical practice, education, research, students, professional development and public health — are offered by more than 50 speakers at this year’s annual session. Attendees can take courses in specific tracks or select individualized courses, depending on their focus and educational requirements.
“The atmosphere surrounding the ADHA’s Center for Lifelong Learning in Pittsburgh is electric,” said ADHA President Jill Rethman, RDH, BA. “With a multitude of education programs, opportunities to connect with fellow leaders of the field, and a front row ticket to a wide array of the latest, state-of-the-art dental products and services, there is no wonder why this is the premier national convention for the dental hygiene profession.” CLL 2016 kicked-offed on June 8 with Community Service Day. The ADHA and the ADHA’s Institute for Oral Health (IOH), with support from VOCO – The Dentalists and the Wrigley Company Foundation, also in partnership with Pittsburgh Mercy, hosted “Healthy Teeth, Healthy Bodies!”, a free community health and wellness event featuring more than 50 dental hygienists who provided free oral health screenings, cleanings, education, and wellness activities to the Pittsburgh community. In addition to the educational sessions and nationally known presenters including Erik Wahl and Alison Levine, the event features EXHIBITS 2016, which showcases the top dental products and services. More than 100 companies will take part in the two-day event, filling the exhibition floor with the most cutting edge dental office needs on the market.
This year, the Institute for Oral Health added a new event to the annual session experience with the inaugural In Motion: 5K Run-Walk-Fun. Designed to raise funds in support of the many programs and initiatives provided by IOH, the run/walk will begin at 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 9 and will take participants on a 3.1-mile journey through downtown Pittsburgh. Proceeds from the event help fund scholarships for dental hygiene students, provide research opportunities for those expanding the field of dental hygiene, and support the dental hygienists who donate their services to improve access to oral health care and education in their communities.
The ADHA 93rd Annual Session House of Delegates officially takes place Sunday, June 12 – Tuesday, June 14, and is focused on the business-related activities of the organization representing more than 185,000 dental hygienists in the United States. This includes forums, workshops and committee sessions, as well as the Annual Report given by ADHA Chief Executive Officer Ann Battrell, MSDH, to the House of Delegates; a farewell address by Jill Rethman; and the Installation Luncheon, where President-Elect Betty Kabel, RDH, BS, will be installed as the ADHA’s 2016-17 president.
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About the American Dental Hygienists’ Association The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) is the largest national organization representing the professional interests of more than 185,000 dental hygienists across the country. Dental hygienists are preventive oral health professionals, licensed in dental hygiene, who provide educational, clinical and therapeutic services that support total health through the promotion of optimal oral health. For more information about the ADHA, dental hygiene or the link between oral health and general health, visit the ADHA at www.adha.org.
About the ADHA’s Institute for Oral Health Founded in 1957, the ADHA Institute for Oral Health is the philanthropic foundation to advance professional excellence in dental hygiene education and research. Working for the dental hygiene community, the ADHA Institute for Oral Health provides opportunities for academic achievement through Scholarships and Fellowships, resources to advance the professional field through Research Grants, and support for dental hygienists to improve the public’s health through Community Service Grants. For more information, visit http://www.adha.org/institute-for-oral-health.
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