Chicago (June 18, 2015) – Registered dental hygienists and oral health professionals from throughout the United States are gathering in Nashville, Tenn., for the American Dental Hygienists’ Association’s (ADHA’s) 2015 ADHA Center for Lifelong Learning at the 92nd Annual Session (CLL/AS). This year’s meeting, held June 17-23, 2015, features an incredible 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 different continuing education (CE) offerings, divided into six tracks — clinical practice, education, research, students, professional development and public health — are offered at the 2015 ADHA CLL. Attendees can take courses in specific tracks or select individualized courses, depending on their focus and educational requirements.
“The positive energy of the ADHA’s Center for Lifelong Learning is truly palpable and exciting, as dental hygienists gather in a setting that brings together leaders from throughout the oral health profession,” said ADHA President Kelli Swanson Jaecks, MA, RDH. “Our education programs, the amazing array of dental products and services on display during our Exhibits 2015 program, our outreach initiatives and community service efforts — all of these elements are geared toward the dental hygienist and the important role they play in improving public health.”
This year’s event began on June 17 with ADHA’s Community Service Day. The ADHA and the ADHA’s Institute for Oral Health (IOH), with support from Colgate and in partnership with Oral Health America, conducted onsite oral health education workshops at seven different adult living facilities in the Nashville area.
In addition to the educational sessions and nationally known presenters speaking at this year’s event, CLL Exhibits 2015 features 125 companies involved in oral health and dental hygiene. And this year, the exhibit hall also showcases the all new ADHA/Henry Schein Innovation Center, displaying a wide range of oral health products and services announced during the last 18 months.
The media will have two opportunities to get in-depth insight about the latest trends and happenings in the dental hygiene profession during the 2015 ADHA CLL. On June 19, from 11:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m., a media tour of the aforementioned ADHA/Henry Schein Innovation Center will take place; and on June 20, an ADHA Media Roundtable — including ADHA President Kelli Swanson Jaecks and ADHA senior staff — will be held from 12-1 p.m., allowing media Q&A time to discuss the latest developments occurring with both the organization and in the dental hygiene profession.
This year, the IOH has added a new twist to the silent auction held in concert with the President’s Reception on June 19. The 2015 auction is being held electronically through an online bidding website, biddingforgood.com, allowing individuals to bid in real time from any smart phone, mobile device or computer, to help support the foundation committed to improving professional excellence in oral health research and education.
The ADHA 92nd Annual Session House of Delegates officially takes place June 21-23, 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 Executive Director Ann Battrell, MSDH, to the House of Delegates; a farewell address by Swanson Jaecks; and the Installation Luncheon, where President-Elect Jill Rethman, RDH, BA, will be installed as the ADHA’s 2015-2016 president.
“The ADHA Center for Lifelong Learning and Annual Session allows dental hygiene professionals to expand their knowledge, network with their peers and colleagues, and discover new professional opportunities,” noted Battrell. “In addition to the outstanding continuing education sessions, our House of Delegates debate professional issues and establish official ADHA policy that guide the association’s oral health advocacy efforts. The combination of excellent continuing education, networking sessions and official House of Delegates actions make our meeting unique and meaningful.”
