13 August 2026

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ADHA Garners International Recognition for Hygienist Inspired Ambassador Program

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Workforce development initiative receives first place in the International Federation of Dental Hygienists Impact Awards, Large Association category.

The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) last month was awarded first-place honors in the Large Association category of the International Federation of Dental Hygienists (IFDH) Impact Awards for its Hygienist Inspired Ambassador Program, a national workforce development initiative funded by the Delta Dental Foundation.

The Impact Awards, sponsored by Colgate, recognize a member association’s most impactful program promoting the oral health of its country’s citizens during the calendar year. Awards are presented in 3 categories based on association size, and ADHA was honored alongside recipients from Australia and Slovakia.

IFDH President Jill Rethman presented the award at the 2026 IFDH House of Delegates Business Meeting, held July 7-9 in Baveno, Italy. ADHA delegates Kelli Swanson Jaecks, MA, RDH, FADHA, and Tammy L. Filipiak, RDH, MS, FADHA, accepted the award on the association’s behalf.

Launched nationally in 2025, Hygienist Inspired strengthens the dental hygiene workforce pipeline by training registered dental hygienists as Ambassadors, trusted messengers who introduce students and career changers to the profession in schools, clinical settings and community environments. Ambassador outreach is extended by a national network of Allies, including dental hygienists, dentists, educators and community health leaders.

In its pilot year, the program reached 8,550 people through 730 ambassador-led activities, supported by 1,561 volunteer hours from participating dental hygienists. Nearly half of all outreach engaged high school students, and 593 Allies were active across all 50 states. ADHA’s Become a Hygienist digital platform added more than 170,000 page views from prospective students exploring the profession.

“Hygienist Inspired was developed on the belief that dental hygienists are their own profession’s most compelling advocates,” ADHA President Jessica August, MSDH, RDH, CDA, FADHA, stated in a press release. “ADHA is honored to see that idea recognized on the international stage, and it reinforces that we are on the right path. When hygienists share their stories, they spark interest in careers in dental hygiene, strengthen the oral health workforce, and expand access to care in the communities that need it most.”

“This award belongs to our Ambassadors and Allies as much as it does to the program,” added Marlyce James, EdD(c), MEd, RDH, CDHC, CDA, FADHA, program manager of Hygienist Inspired. “Their passion, dedication and countless hours of service are inspiring the next generation of dental hygienists and creating meaningful change in communities across the country. Together, we are helping to shape the future of dental hygiene.”

ADHA plans to expand ambassador representation in high-need regions, deepen partnerships with educators and workforce organizations and continue investing in digital tools that turn awareness into mentorship and enrollment. The Delta Dental Foundation’s investment has assisted in making this national reach possible.

Source: https://www.adha.org/hygienistinspired