ADHA Develops Environmental Scan to Explore the Future of the Dental Hygiene Profession

In order to provide a basis in data for this year’s strategic planning process the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) contracted futurists Marsha Rhea and Craig Bettles and commissioned an Environmental Scan to help explore the future of oral health and the changes dental hygienists must make to contribute to the health and well‐being of society. This report intentionally focused on issues that could challenge assumptions about the profession and require ADHA to explore new and often challenging opportunities. The ADHA board used this scan to make strategic decisions about the association’s priorities, programs and services in the process of developing the new 2012-15 strategic plan.

Key issues identified included:

Future Opportunities for Dental Hygienists: New opportunities for dental hygienists will emerge in community centers, health care organizations and retail locations, but they must work hard to secure these opportunities.

Expanding Access & Ensuring Equity in Oral Health Care: Expanding access to oral health care will be a defining issue for DHs looking to improve the health of the nation and create new opportunities for practice.

Harmonization of Practice: Public and private payers will look to harmonize standards and scope of practice to improve quality of and access to oral health care.

Growth of For-Profit Schools and Corporate Education: For‐profit and corporate education programs will continue to grow creating fierce competition for jobs in some markets.

Technology Advances in Oral Health: New advances in science and technology will radically alter oral health care.

Aging Workforce: The largest and most influential generation will be retiring over the next decade and swelling the ranks of older patients with high demands for complex oral health care.

the issues identified in this scan will dramatically affect the future of our profession. ADHA must rise to these challenges and practice collaborative leadership by working in tandem with other groups in order to  remain a driving force in shaping the way that dental hygiene is practiced in the future. View and download a complete copy of the ADHA Environmental Scan