Missouri Dental Hygienists' Association

09/05/2026

🇺🇸 Happy Labor Day from MDHA!

Today, we celebrate the hard work, dedication, and contributions of workers across Missouri and especially the dental professionals who devote their careers to caring for the health and well-being of others.

Labor Day is also a reminder of the value of our professions, the education behind them, and the responsibility we share to uphold the standards that protect the public.

As we enjoy this holiday weekend, we also want Missouri dental hygienists to keep an eye on MDHA in the weeks ahead.

Important next steps are coming regarding the proposed Periodontal EFDA rule, and protecting our patients, public health and safety, educational standards, and the dental hygiene profession will take all of us.

💜 Stay informed. Stay engaged. Be ready to take action.

From all of us at MDHA, we wish you a safe, relaxing, and well-deserved Labor Day!

08/31/2026

🥊 **THE BELL HAS RUNG, ROUND ONE STARTS NOW!** 🥊

Thanks to the first supporters of the MDHA Student Access Fund, **six currently enrolled dental hygiene students will receive fully sponsored registrations** to the 2026 Missouri Dental Hygienists’ Summit!

📍 Courtyard by Marriott Columbia
📅 October 23–24, 2026

# # # How to step into the ring:

🥊 Complete the short entry form: ** https://www.missouridha.org/studentsix **

🥊 Finish this sentence:
**“I’m fighting for ______ in dental hygiene.”**

🥊 Confirm that you are currently enrolled in a dental hygiene program and available to attend the Summit in Columbia.

🔔 **Round One closes September 14 at 11:59 p.m.**
🏆 **Six students will be randomly selected on September 15!**

Not selected in Round One? **Stay in the ring!** Eligible entries will remain in the drawing if additional sponsored registrations become available for future rounds.

The future of dental hygiene deserves a seat at the table and a place in the fight. ❤️🦷🥊

**No purchase necessary. Sponsored registration includes Summit admission; travel and lodging are NOT included. Winners must verify student status and accept within 48 hours. Registrations have no cash value and are nontransferable.**

08/21/2026

Friday night at the Summit is where we bring the fight to life. 🥊

Join us for the **Fight for Your Right to Practice Networking Event** on October 23 from 7–9 PM.

Heavy appetizers. Cocktails. Games. Raffle prizes. Professional connection.

Wear your **Fight for Your Right to Practice** shirt Friday night and receive:

🍹 an extra complimentary cocktail ticket
🎟️ an extra entry into the Heavyweight Grand Prize drawing

The shirt has no year so you can continue wearing the message beyond the Summit — and **100% of profits support the MDHA Legislative Legal Fund**.

Can’t attend the full Summit? Flexible registration options are available, including **Friday Only** and **Friday Night Networking + Saturday Morning CE**.
Designed for Missouri dental hygienists. All dental professionals are welcome.

👯‍♀️ Bring a co-worker with you!

Register and order your shirt:
missouridha.org/annual-session

08/21/2026

🚨 Can a state dental board create a whole new provider by rule, without the legislature? Missouri is trying, and the rule advanced by a single vote. It would let minimally trained assistants scale teeth and chart periodontal disease after one board-approved course. Read on as ADHA Past President Diann Bomkamp explains what happened and why "as one state falls, another becomes vulnerable": adha.org/HygienistHub

Missouri Dental Hygienists' Association

08/17/2026

🥊THE FIGHT IS ON, MISSOURI RDHs!🦷🔥

Our official “Fight For Your Right To Practice” shirts are HERE and available for purchase!

This is more than a shirt. It's a statement about the education, clinical training, credentials, and dedication behind the RDH and our commitment to protecting the profession we've worked so hard to earn.

💥Even better: 100% of the profits from every shirt sold will go directly to the MDHA Legal Fund to support our continued efforts to advocate for and protect dental hygiene practice in Missouri.

And we're bringing the fight to the MissouriDHA Annual Summit!🥊

Wear your Fight For Your Right To Practice shirt to our Friday night Networking Event on October 23rd and you'll receive:

🍹ONE FREE DRINK VOUCHER

🎟️ ONE ENTRY INTO OUR GRAND PRIZE DRAWING

And trust us when we say... this year's grand prize is a REAL HEAVYWEIGHT. 👀🥊🏆

We're keeping that one under wraps for now. 😉

Grab your shirt, wear it proudly, and join Missouri hygienists as we stand together for our patients, our profession, and our right to practice.

🥊WEAR THE FIGHT.
💜SUPPORT THE PROFESSION.
🦷PROTECT OUR RIGHT TO PRACTICE.

🔗ORDER YOUR SHIRT HERE: https://www.bonfire.com/fight-for-your-right-to-practice/

08/13/2026

Early bird pricing to this eight hour virtual CE event ends soon.

Live CE - No Travel - Earn 8 CE Credits! Friday, August 21, 2026. Continuing education (CE) for dental hygienists, dentists, and dental assistants.

08/06/2026

Get 4 CE Hours Free Offered in Different areas of State https://wix.to/sFD2fBM
Is is important to MDHA we help spread the word about any free CE opportunities for dental hygienists. There are several Dates for different areas in the state. Tomorrow is the Jefferson City location so Hurry and register! This is open to all dental professionals so please share with your teams and dental friends.

To register, please complete the form at the following link: https://moexperience.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0PO5qKuAfTkQNTg. Additional details will be emailed to participants after registration. All classes will be held from 7:30 AM to 12:00 PM.

Upcoming training dates and locations:

• August 7, 2026 (Friday) – Jefferson City
• August 14, 2026 (Friday) – Moberly
• August 21, 2026 (Friday) – Kennett
• August 31, 2026 (Monday) – Chesterfield
• September 11, 2026 (Friday) – Rolla
• September 17, 2026 (Thursday) – Joplin

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services’ Office of Dental Health (ODH) is offering free, in‑person Introduction to Water Fluoridation Trainings. Each session will include a water plant tour following the training. Water and wastewater operators, LPHA staff, and dental professionals...

08/06/2026

💜A legacy of service deserves to be celebrated. 💜
The Diann Bomkamp Lifetime Service Award honors an extraordinary dental hygienist whose leadership, advocacy, and dedication have made a lasting impact on our profession and the communities we serve.
This award recognizes those who have spent years lifting others, advancing dental hygiene, and embodying the values of service, integrity, and commitment.
🏆 Help us recognize someone whose legacy continues to inspire generations of dental hygienists.
📅 Nomination Deadline: August 15, 2026
📧 Submit nominations to: [email protected]
Let's celebrate the leaders who paved the way and continue to make a difference every day. 💜🦷

08/05/2026

🌟Do you know someone making a difference in oral health across Missouri? 🌟
The MDHA Oral Health Champion Award recognizes individuals and organizations who go above and beyond to improve the oral health of our communities through service, advocacy, education, and leadership.
💜 Membership is NOT required for the nominee—we simply want to celebrate those making an impact!
✅ The person submitting the nomination must be an MDHA member.
🏆 Help us recognize the champions who inspire healthier communities and elevate oral health across Missouri.
📅 Nomination Deadline: August 15, 2026
📧 Submit nominations to: [email protected]
Let's shine a spotlight on those who are changing lives—one smile at a time. 🦷✨

08/04/2026

The future of dental hygiene in Missouri starts with YOU. 💜

Our President, Becky Harshaw, RDH, MPH, CH-OSE, has a special message for every Missouri dental hygienist.

📣 Join us this October 23–24, 2026, for the Missouri Dental Hygienists' Association Summit—a weekend dedicated to education, connection, advocacy, and the future of our profession.

But our future doesn't stop there.

MDHA is looking for passionate, dedicated dental hygienists who are ready to make a difference by stepping into leadership roles. Whether you've served before or are considering getting involved for the very first time, we'd love to connect with you. Fresh ideas, new perspectives, and passionate voices are what keep our association strong.

💜 Ready to help shape the future of dental hygiene in Missouri?
📩 Send us a message here or email us at [email protected] to learn more about leadership opportunities.

Together, we can continue to advocate, educate, and inspire.